It was a great opportunity to be back in the lap of the motherland after such a long period of exile! I was not sure what to expect when I reached there. I knew physically I was not the same person but mentally I did not have any restrictions and to co-ordinate my physical and mental faculties was something that was worrying me. Eventually the big day arrived and Royal Nepal Airways flew us out of London Gatwick Airport on Sunday September 10th heading towards Frankfurt- Dubai and finally Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu.

Bright sunny weather welcomed us. Friends, relatives and well-wishers hugged and embraced each other, tears of joy rolling down cheeks. Flower bouquets and garlands abounded. It was really overwhelming. We left the airport with Mr. C.M. Yogi and headed towards the Central HVP school in Balkumari, Kathmandu.

Students and teachers had gathered at the foreground of the school with flowers, garlands and hand written, self designed, colourful welcome notes to greet us. We were eager to see the new school building. When we actually saw it, the huge building standing five storeys tall, said all about the hard work that MSS and HVP volunteers must have put in! I stood motionless for a while trying to capture the scene through the tiny pupils of my eyes! ( Which was obviously not possible !) Each and every brick was telling the story of the generous help given by HVP-UK, the GAP volunteers, friends from USA, Japan, Burma, India and many well wishers all over the world. The building would have bowed in respect, if it could have, to show its appreciation towards your understanding, sympathy and support. The MSS and HVP deeply appreciates your assistance and understanding for the philosophy behind this programme.

Mr. C..M. Yogi was the band master conducting the orchestra. It was melodious and heart warming! During our stay a number of programmes had been arranged. We had several meetings with MSS and HVP committee members, teachers and students, former HVP students now studying in colleges and friends and well-wishers of the school. We visited the HVP branch formerly based at Indrayani. School Principal Mr. Dadhiram Khanal gave us a tour around the school now at its new site in nearby Thali. We also had a nice picnic outing with the students and teachers.

It was very nice to see MSS and HVP so lively and thriving. As the work has expanded the old "make & shift " policy and working methods need to be reviewed and this was done at several meetings of the MSS and HVP committee. A new constitution was thus formed. The aims and objectives of MSS and HVP were re-strengthened once again.

MSS believes that "an individual" is the all important unit of this complex creation and developing this unit to its full capacity physically, mentally, morally and spiritually is of paramount importance to preserve this beautiful universe - our planetary home - and to maintain peace, harmony and happiness. MSS aims to develop such "individual-units" through its well-formulated activities. Those individuals will then move up in society and hopefully become involved in those various projects that are needed to bring peace and prosperity.

The HVP concept is one such MSS project in the field of education. MSS volunteers are actively involved in it. Started as a small primary school in a small rented house it has now become a well established higher secondary school with three separate branches in Nepal all now with their own land and buildings. The demand is to raise it to the 10+2 level (A Level equivalent) and open more branches in different districts. The aim is to make this an institution for holistic, excellent academic education based on spirituality and morality to uphold the values of humanity.

I am eagerly looking forward to that day when I will be allowed to go back in reasonably stable health so that I do not become a liability. There is so much to be done. So much we could do together. I pray to the almighty to give us the energy to shoulder our responsibilities so that we can shape a better world!