NDA Journal 2021

InMemory of Dr Subarna Shrestha (1938 – 2020) Subarna Man Shrestha or 'Barnie ' as most of us used to call him by, passed away rather unexpectedly on 6 November 2020. Fairly fit looking for his age, cheerful as always and reasonably active till he had embolic Stroke on 22 August 2020. In fact, we had a wonderful evening together at Barlborough exactly a week prior to his stroke. He made a substantial recovery from his stroke within a few weeks. Who could have imagined the sequence of events to follow in such a short period. In his own words 'HOTA WAHI HAI JO MANJURE KHUDA HOTA HAI '. We never know what's on the corner, do we? As we Hindus believe, your destiny is perhaps already decided the moment you were born. Barnie was born at Hyumat tole Kathmandu on 21 June 1938. Early education at Durbar school and Tri- chandra college, very popular and recognised institutions of that time and he was one of the very clever boys in his group, completed medical graduation from King George's Medical College,Lucknow (India). After serving for few years at various hospitals in Nepal, he went to Austria, achieved Diploma in Orthopaedic and Traumatic Surgery (D.O.T.S) from Vienna before moving to UK in 1968,later to be joined by Gauri, his wife and rest of the family Eventually settled down in Mansfield as a General Practitioner till his retirement. My acquaintance with Barnie goes back to 1958 when I myself joined the same medical college in Lucknow. Despite being a year senior to me and my cousin in relation, he was one of the closest friends to me with the best of understanding between us. A lively gentleman with an amazing sense of humour, he was the life and soul of any gathering particularly amongst the senior group. He believed in enjoying life in a very positive way. He was a very kind hearted human being, always helpful to friends justifying that his name is SUBARNA MAN (Golden man) Barnie was an active founder member of our Dashain group, a consortium of like minded veterans. He is the second one for this group to pass away, after Dr Bhadra Dhoj Karki. It's honestly hard to imagine any Dashain gathering, for that matter, any social gathering without our dear friend being there. Barnie was a core founder member of Nepalese Doctor's Association. He was very much involved in various activities of the organisation till lately when his age factor perhaps prevented him doing so. He was Vice-chairman of the association from 1991-93. He leaves behind his wife Gauri, herself a Gynaecologist and founder member of NDA, Risu (daughter), Geenes (son) along with four beautiful grandchildren. Barnie shall be deeply missed, by Dashain Tihar group in particular, also by most of the NDA members and above all by most of British Nepalese community at large. But then life has to move on perhaps. They say- Life's a voyage and everyone has to sail through this vast ocean unknown sometimes or the other, but there might be a peaceful, comfortable and enjoyable life at the other end, you never know. You might have left us Barnie, but we shall always keep your memory inside our heart, fresh as ever. 'DIL KE AINE ME HAI TASWIRE YAR JAB JI CHAHA GARDAN JHUKAI DEKHA LI ' Wherever you happen to be now, Rest in peace and comfort. Goodbye my friend . But remember :-- Good byes are not for ever Good byes are not the end They simply mean, I miss you so much till we meet again - By Dr Basant Shrestha - ----------------------------------------------- OM NAMAH SHIVAYA Bhajya Baa Baa, you have always stood tall and proud. You have had a journey that has bestowed upon you joy and heartache, but through it all you prevailed, for you have always stood tall and proud. Your personality shone brightly like your name suggest (is gold), which also represents the colour of the sun. Your warmth encapsulated all, and you never faltered from your beliefs. You were a son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. You touched many lives and all shall remember you. You may be gone but your spirit lives on in our hearts and we know that you will always be looking down on us, to guide and protect. May your legacy live on through your children and children's children...for all this world had to offer, may eternal peace be blessed unto you and that now you have been reunited with past loved ones. Baa you will be sorely missed, but we shall always have our memories. Baa stand tall and proud, and conquer eternal happiness as you once did in life. Baa, we were blessed with your presence, and even though there is now a hole, we will always love you, now and forever. - By Geenes Shrestha NDA UK JOURNAL, JULY 2021