On Tuesday 18th
June, an evening of celebration and networking between Britain and Nepal was
held at the prestigious and award-winning Everest Inn, Ashford. The esteemed
VIP guests included Mr Rajendra Khetan, president of the Nepal-Britain Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, the Worshipful Mayor of Ashford Cllr David Smith, and
the Worshipful Mayor of Hythe, Cllr Alan Smith together with their wives. Chief
executive of Kent Invicta Chambers of commerce Jo Smith, Representative from
Jimmy Mizzen Foundations, Nepalese Ex Gurkha solder & Community social worker
from Ashford Popi Raj Rai were also present.
Acknowledging the presence of distinguished guests, director of the Everest Inn Group Yadav Bhandari outlined the reason for the evening – to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's historic ascent of Mount Everest - and a great networking evening of Britain and Nepal’s relations.
Welcoming distinguished guests, Managing Director of the
Everest Inn Group, Pashupati Bhandari said Nepal’s historical attachment and
healthy relations with Britain were nearly 200 years old and still remained dynamic.
He underlined the need of working ether for the betterment of our societies, better
integration, involving young children in various fields including charity,
sports and works aimed at supporting local communities. “We are extremely
pleased to be part of such activities and proud to be the main sponsor of the Ashford
Town cricket Club, where we have established
great relations with the young children from the both communities,” he
added.
Pashupati further added that 2016 we mark the 200th anniversary
of Anglo-Nepalese relations. The 1816 treaty between the two countries recognized
the importance of independence and the sanctimony of peace, he added.
Speeches from honorary
guests included praise for the ceaseless work that Bhandaris and their families
have been carrying out for their communities both in the UK and in Nepal,
including working with young people and encouraging integration through sports
(football and cricket). They also reminded of the amazingly strong and very
important links between the two countries.
Mr Rajendra Khetan,
who had travelled from Nepal for the event, was keen to let the guests know all
about the work going on in Nepal and of the importance of British-Nepal links.
Kent Invicta Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Jo James, reiterated how important the integration and
link with each other’s country was. Barry Jaynes of the Britain-Nepal Chamber
of Commerce spoke about the importance of British companies investing in Nepal,
which had so much to offer.
Peter
Carroll of the Gurkha Justice Campaign, for which Joanna Lumley was famous, spoke
of the great loyalty the Gurkhas and Nepalese have shown to Britain over nearly
last 200 years of their alliance. Matt Hone, Foundation Trustee
of the Jimmy Mizen Foundation and Lewisham
North Expedition Leader, who has many times taken Scout youngsters from all
walks of life to Nepal for expeditions, reminded everyone of the importance of
young people growing up with the right attitudes and of the importance of them
experiencing each other’s’ way of life, He further added, “We are so pleased to
have a wonderful support from Everest Inn including last years 18 young people
from the Foundation’s visits to Nepal.”
At the end, ‘Goody bags’
were handed by Rajendra Khetan and Pashupati Bhandari to the honoured guests
including a beautiful pictorial book on the beauty and majesty of Nepal.
The whole evening was a
huge success, fuelled as ever by Everest Inn’s amazing hospitality of superb
food and champagne, with live kitchen in the garden served
by the wonderful staff.
