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Show Of Talent Whether through cultural or other programs, United Kingdom has always supported Nepal’s quest of independence
By A CORRESPONDENT
For the past two centuries, Britain has remained Nepal’s closest friend supporting her whenever Nepal faced problem of existence. This support is not only at the political level or state-to-state level but also very strong at the people-to-people level.
At a time when Nepal has been facing one of the most difficult times in its history, Britain, despite misunderstanding in early phase of recent crisis, has again showed that it is committed to the development and prosperity of Nepal.
Just a day after a musical program, United Kingdom, through its development agency DFID agreed to provide over 5 billion rupees of development aid package to Nepal. At a time when the country is no position to finance its development programs, this is a great cause of rejoice for poor people of Nepal. Except for some isolationists in Nepal, poor people here see United Kingdom’s support as its commitment towards its long traditional friendship with Nepal.
In a pleasant turn of events, internationally renowned British pianist Antony Peebles came to Kathmandu for a special piano recital at the invitation of Nepal Britain Society.
As soon as Antony Peebles played piano at the packed hall of Hotel Hyatt Regency, it suddenly transformed the atmosphere of the auditorium and mesmerized the audience.
Antony Peebles, a renowned pianist who won the BBC Piano Competition with a unanimous vote from the jury in 1971, showed his perfect mastery in playing piano. Although Nepal imported first Piano about a century ago, there are only a few Nepalese who can play it.
Thanks to the efforts of Pratima Pande, president of Nepal Britain Society, the show was possible in the capital. “The Piano recital by Antony Peebles would not have been possible without a little help from my friends like the Beatles song and there are many people and organizations that I would like to thank including the British Ambassador Keith Bloomfield,” said Pande, who has already organized a number of fund-raising programs in the last three years. The proceeds from the recital will go to restoration of the Kal Bhairab Temple in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square constructed and managed by the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust..
Peebles has already traveled to 127 different countries performing piano. The one hour performance by Antony in Kathmandu was exciting as well as colorful as he recited famous numbers from famous musicians like Beethoven, Schubert and Chopin. On his third visit to Nepal, Antony played the piano, which was set up at the hall with the help of David Ward, chief of DFID/Nepal.
By displaying extraordinary talent, Antony won the hearts of audience including Kathmandu-based diplomats, expatriates and many Nepalese music lovers.
"Our Society Is Involved In Raising Funds To Help Underprivileged"
By Pratima Pande, president of Nepal Britain Society
The Nepal Britain Society has been over the years, one of the most active friendship societies in the country involved in many cultural and social programs, which has strengthened the friendship and ties between Nepal and Great Britain. The functions that have been organized are lectures by famous personalities, on a variety of interesting topics, movies and film shows and, of course, plays which have been directed by our executive member Mrs. Greta Rana and which have been great successes. This has been possible due to the hard work of the director and the dedicated volunteer actors who have given up their valuable time to raise funds for the underprivileged.
The Play, ‘Ma’s Bit of Brass’ by Roland Growing was performed at the Yak and Yeti for two nights in March to packed audiences and proceeds from that play will go to a Trust Fund for a Mobile Teaching Unit for children of stone quarry workers who have not had opportunity to go to school like other children.
The society’s past fund raising programs have been donated to the Anandaban Nepal Leprosy Hospital, Scholarship for the very needy children at Mary Ward Schools run by the nuns of St. Mary’s provided by ASMAN, St. Mary’s Alumni blood donation programs, feeding the old and medical checkup for the old people Pasupati Bridhashram, Funds for School furniture for the Mahendra Bhrikuti School in Jawalakhel and finally, providing mattress, bedding and food for the disabled center at the Nava Jeevan Kendra at Jorpati. These are just a few of the programs and this recital’s proceeds will go to restoration of the Kal Bhairab Temple in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square constructed and managed by the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust – which has shortage of funds.
Fund will also go to the Mahadevsthan Pokhari Temple at the base of the tower in Nagarkot, which has a very historic and archeological significance. Likewise, the Leo Club will provide free health mobile camp in remote areas of Nepal.
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