Lone Star Studded Social!

It was a deliciously constructive social on Saturday 24th November: And Matthew Hilton-Dennis was there.

Any doubts about the holistic message of HVP were dispelled on Saturday 24th November, 2001. As the swing doors of the Texas Lone Star restaurant in Gloucester Road, London, swung to a close there was no deadly silence or menacing stares; the piano music carried on playing and the barman didn’t reach for his gun. Instead, there was a smiling man coming towards you, w ho had changed his stetson for a topi, who knew your name or would not forget it, and had time for everybody. Of course, it was Chintamani Yogi. Despite his recent accident, he was in no way distracted from giving you the genuine affection that you so especially anticipate at every meeting. Clearly he was not injured where it really mattered. What also impressed were the numbers that attended. With almost sixty people present including ex-volunteers, soon-to-be volunteers, friends, family, and even a former HVP graduate, Sanjay Pokhrel, who is now studying at Luton University, the social lived up to its name and nourished a sense of belonging to something that was really growing.

After the spicy Texan fare (courtesy of the Lone Star) had been consumed in the absence of Dal Bhaat, the event began with a stirring, national song led by Himal lal Shrestha. This proved a fitting start to an occasion, which in many ways was a testament to the work of his father, the late Dr Shrestha, founder of HVP. Kate Marklew, proceeded to give a historical grounding to the event, relating the inspiring story of HVP that was begun by Dr. Shrestha and now continues through the serious hard work of those who run the three schools and those who help to keep them going. Jenny Noreng followed with a briefing of the current state of the sponsorship scheme and encouraged more people to sponsor a child; crucial to the maintenance of the three schools. The assembled company then heard from Mark Lobel about HVP’s new website, which allows anyone easy access to the latest developments and all information concerning HVP, both in the UK and Nepal. Aarun Naik then gave a report on his recent visit to Nepal and about how HVP-UK’s support has been distributed amongst the three schools; how Dang, Thali and Kathmandu are managing in the wake of the Royal Family catastrophe. Most worrying was his account of the growing influence of the Maoists. Given their hostility to private institutions, they pose a serious threat to the very existence of HVP. Despite the incredible resilience that HVP has demonstrated over the years, threats of violence and extortion would be an intolerable burden.

Countering the gloom that this news brought, however, was the main and closing speech by the gentle yet indomitable Mr. Yogi. His was the message that lifted every person present, himself the personification of a cause worth fighting for. He spoke of hope and ideals but with a resolution that could not be doubted. The Lone Star had never hosted such a customer. Here you felt was the strength that draws and binds people to HVP, holding them steadfast. For it is not until you hear Mr Yogi speak that you realize the essence of HVP – that it isn’t only about numbers of students, exams, buildings or even Nepal. It’s about something that matters at the core of what it is to be human; something enlightened yet fundamental. Which was why when Mr Yogi’s brother, Yadav Yogi, concluded the event with the classic ‘Nepali, Nepali’, people joined in the singing, not merely to remind them of happy days spent in a certain mountainous country, but as if it were an anthem for worldwide unity and hope. We left the Lone Star inspired and with a sense of the surreal as people didn’t just walk out onto another London street, but, instead, saddled up and rode into the Gloucester Road sunset.

Many thanks must go to Simon Lowe, who owns the restaurant, for making the entire event possible, and to all those who attended, since the social, although not intended as a fundraising event, managed to raise £250 for HVP-UK.