His life, 1943 - 2002

Dr. Bihari Lal Shrestha, renowned orthopaedic surgeon and founding chairperson of Matribhoomi Sevak Sangh (MSS) and Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal (HVP) sadly passed away on 25th April 2002.

Dr. Shrestha was known for his capacity, despite his busy life, to give time and full attention to anyone who needed it. His relation with everyone was equal, whether rich or poor, educated or non-educated and regardless of caste or creed. His gentle approach to people was accompanied by a similarly gentle approach to the environment and to the world around him. A great lover of natural beauty, Dr. Shrestha would dedicate his free time to growing plants - his house in Nepal was famous for its beautiful garden.

Dr. Shrestha was born in Myanmar (formerly Burma) in 1943 and completed his education at the Medical College of Rangoon University in 1967. He moved to Nepal in 1969 and served as a medical officer in Shanta Bhawan Hospital in Kathmandu where he met his wife, Nirmala. They were married in 1971, shortly before he moved to the U.K. to develop his medical career. In the U.K. Dr. Shrestha trained at the Royal College of Surgeons and spent several years working in different hospitals across the country achieving the position of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. However in 1980 he forsook the opportunity for a successful and prosperous life in the U.K. to instead return to Nepal and concentrate on the needs of his homeland. He worked as Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Bir Hospital and later as Reader Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at TU Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. In 1994, faced with his deteriorating health, he had no option but to return to the UK for specialist treatment. He and his family spent the last years of his life in Hertfordshire where between 1995 and 1997 he worked as Orthopaedic Surgeon at St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead NHS Trust.

In his professional life, Dr. Shrestha was known for his genuine concern and care towards his patients. His approach was a holistic one: he sought to heal his patients physically and also to give them emotional support and spiritual counselling. He gave treatment to all who needed it, dispensing free medical care for those unable to afford his fees. His skills and services were publicly recognised by the award of the prestigious Gorkha Dakshin Bahu medal, presented by the King of Nepal, His Majesty Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev for outstanding social services in 1991.

However, Dr. Shrestha's dedication to society went far beyond his professional life. He channelled his ideas into MSS, a social service organisation that received official registration in 1985. It was Dr. Shrestha's belief that by instilling right values into human beings, a just and equal society can be created. This process was termed byakti nirman or 'building an individual', and remains the central philosophy of MSS to this day. In 1985, MSS opened the first branch of HVP now known as the HVP Central, located in Balkumari, Kathmandu. This school, along with its sister schools in Thali and Dang provides a holistic education to students from all social backgrounds. As well as providing modern academic education, the schools place emphasis on teaching the children spiritual, social and cultural values in order to give them physical, intellectual and mental training which will equip them to serve their society in the future.

MSS and HVP are the realization of the noble ideals of Dr. Shrestha. He was a man whose ideals never swayed; his belief in social service to all was never compromised. He always remained indifferent to the world of politics, preferring to channel his energies into social work.

Dr. B.L. Shrestha is survived by his wife, Mrs, Nirmala Shrestha, and his two sons, Dr. Bimal Lal Shrestha and Himal Lal Shrestha. His philosophy of life and his desire to build good human beings is reflected in the dedication of his family towards society. His goals are institutionalised and immortalized by MSS, the HVP schools in Nepal and the whole international HVP movement. As long as there are those that remain dedicated to the ideals of Dr. Shrestha, his spirit will remain alive in society.