Hurrah For Our Home In The Mountains

THE GRAND NP Middle East DINNER

The UAE Chapter of the NP Alumni Asso. recently held its Gala Dinner in Aid of the Mungpoo School.

Attended by both ex-north pointers as well as well wishers and philanthropists, it was a grand success. Almost 140+ people turned up at The State Ballroom of the Four Points Sheraton in Dubai for an evening of introduction, fun and networking.

The Chief Guest was Rev. Fr. G Van Walleghem.

We would like to thank all of the guests who spared time on the weekend to attend the Dinner and we look forward to your continued support and cooperation.

Modesty is often valued but sometimes a pat on the back is justified & necessary too.

The evening would not have been such a grand success had it not been for the following.

Mr. Robert Wilson: The guiding force behind the enterprise, he not only opened his house and office for the alumni meetings he also led from the frontline. Never letting his seniority get in the way, he often jumped in and got his hands dirty with menial tasks. On D-Day with just 30 minutes for the function to begin he was busy wrapping gifts with special self-designed & printed wrapping paper with the NP Logo. Commitment does not come stronger than that. After all the hard work of organizing was over he did not sit back and relax, instead he led the Tambola and the Auction and even managed to get quite a few damsels to the dance floor (though to be fair the last is not technically a chore). Thank You and Sir, Take A Bow.

Mrs. Purnima Wilson: For hosting rowdy North Pointers time and again at your house. The mouth watering food was much appreciated and Samir da, in particular says the Jack & Coke was even more appreciated. Thank You Aunty and when do we see you again. :-)

Mr. Chogyal Tshering La: If in a few years the NP UAE Chapter becomes a Fortune 500 company, this is the person to thank. He brings a business discipline to the whole forum and makes sure we are always looking at not just the immediate gains but also the larger picture. He has big plans for the UAE Alumni and we are blessed to have him as the Vice President. Affectionately known as Chogsda, his energy levels can give Shah Rukh a complex (infact many people say he also resembles SRK) and no one I know, can work the Blackberry the way he can. He created the Mungpoo video in 3 hours flat and it was so good that many people were moist eyed in the hall. (Samir da ofcourse was moist eyed just looking at the price of Jack & Coke but then thats another story for another day). He is also a connoisseur of fine single malts and is known to whip up a mean dish on weekends. He has promised he will be inviting us for one of his soirees very soon. Till then Chogs da do continue to guide us and Take A Bow.

Samir Sharma: Many of you know him from the profile as the one who spent his formative years wearing white tights and sarees but none of that is evident as he verbally whirlwinds across a room getting things in place during every meeting. His running order for the evening’s program was like an Army-man’s wet dream. He brings with him considerable talent and expertise from running the Darjeeling Carnival and its no wonder that the evening was such a success. He does tend to doze off from time to time but when awake he can multi task like a Woodpecker on Viagra. I could write more but he called me to say “Bhai I am trying to become modest” (trying being the operative word here). Jokes apart he is the Super-Glue that holds us all together (he in turn is held together with J&C) so without further ado, Samir da Take A Bow.

P.S. He can now be contacted 24/7 on his waterproof-shockproof-floating black…oops … blueberry. (details with pic will come soon on the blog)

Steven Gurung: A thin body belies the booming voice and at the head of the in-house band he not only sang some great numbers, he even managed to keep everyone entertained with his in-between-songs commentary. Another multi-tasker, with less than a month to go before the event, he managed to assemble a band, arrange the music equipment, practice songs, play football, get souvenirs from Darj etc….. all in between dodging bullets and ammunition shells (it’s a long story…. Wait for the details in his upcoming profile) in war torn Africa. The legend looks set to continue because his 9 month old son Ryan (details again in the upcoming profile) also managed to dance the night away till 1 am. He plays the drums, and his skills with the sticks must be seen and heard to be believed. Some even say that he can twirl a drumstick better than he can a beer bottle but from what I’ve seen of both I’ d say it’s a tie.

A quick word here about his beautiful wife Doma, who also hosted many alumni meetings and always had yummy food waiting at their place. The Momo party is still pending though… Steve, Doma & Ryan Take A Bow.

Norden Ghissing: He had to fly to Iran (dont ask) the day before the event and as it usually takes about 3-4 days for people to get back from there we all were preparing substitutes for his role. Amazingly he managed to get back on the day of the event with 10 minutes to spare. While scaring many hotel guests as he changed into his suit in the lobby washroom he was surrounded by curious people all wanting to know how he came back so quickly. He just says the NP spirit got him back but some knowledgeable ones (Samir) say he rowed across the Iranian Strait. He was incharge of the F&B and with all the well fed and tipsy people in the end he succeeded pretty well. He is also an extempore entertainer and no one can make a wise crack with such a straight face as him. Norden da Take A Bow.

Vishant Gurung: He is an avid gym enthusiast and folklore has it that every time he lifts 40 kilos he finds a North Pointer in UAE. He can be credited single-handedly (without a trace of exaggeration) with locating and contacting all the Spaggies here in the UAE. We initially thought there would be about 7-10 but he jacked up that number to almost 35. We hear the FBI is interested in recruiting him. And…….he just called to say he lifted 80 kilos and found 2 more. Vishant Take A Bow and Do Keep Lifting.

P.S. He gives a great discount at his store and if anyone wants to do some serious shopping please contact him.

Vishal Subba: That’s yours truely and modesty (albeit false) prevents me from writing about myself. Suffice it to say I did my best.... I Am Like That Only. and…. and……and……. Thank You, I have already taken my Bow.

Richard, Ali & Rohan & Steve from the band The 11th Hour and guest singer Zerene who provided some truly world class music. Both the singing and playing was top notch. Take A Bow Guys.

Anant, Amit & Prashant from the Nepali Band who brought the Darjeeling touch to the evening. As always Musu Musu got everyone to their feet. Great Job Guys, Take A Bow

Tito & Tenzing: The DJ’s for the evening. You left the audience wanting more and that’s always a good sign. Guys Take A Bow.

Gopal: For helping with the Music and for smiling so much and so often. With your shaved head and ever-smiling face you lit up the room. Thank You Gopal, Put on a Cap and Take A Bow.

John Baptist: Again for working tirelessly and for attending the meetings faithfully and that too without having a car. Your dedication is and inspiration to us all. Take A Bow John.

Derek Lama: A special mention to him as he volunteered himself and was one the first to reach the venue and worked right up till the end. He studied in VVA and he proved that for a good cause the Nepali heart is always ready. Derek, Thank You Very Much. Don’t take a Bow, instead we bow to you.

We also Thank all of you who came from outside Dubai, Pranai Rai who came all the way from Bahrain, Mr Gurdeep Dhatt and his lovely wife who came from Al Ain and all the others who came from the neighbouring emirates.

Once again a BIG Thank You to all and we look forward to your support and cooperation in the future too.

Enjoy The Pictures (more will follow)

SURSUM CORDA

The Packed Hall

Robert, Fr. Van & Bahrani Pranai.

Vishal gets things started.

Fr Van addresses the Guests

Atlas and the NP world

Are we making you girls uncomfortable?

And Now ladies & Gentlemen I am Mr. Chogyal Gates

Whats an NP party without some dancing

Is that a beer in your hand or are you just glad to see me?

I cant smile without a Tie

A Memento For Fr. Van

Dr. & Mrs Gurdeep Dhatt & The Rocket Man Mr. Surana Dutta
Elvis Lobo says Black is slimming
The 11th Hour Band featuring Vishant

A Section of the Crowd

Yeah Samirda 4 Helpings down and 3 more to go

We are having so much Fun and the Beer has nothing to do with that.

Posing... Posing

Say it Clear, Say It Loud.
We Are Spaggies and We Are Proud