The U.K. OS held their reunion on Sunday 4th October at the usual venue - the Bombay Palace in London. As it was Founders Day we thought we would do something special this year and decided to raise funds towards the "Sanawar Water Project".

We made some money by upping the price of the tickets by £3 but mostly from the very generous contributions of the OS. And Ron Bailey kindly made copies of a snapshot of the hilltop, some of which we sold on the day.

I am pleased to announce that we raised £525 in total. Thank you all for your contributions.

The turnout this year was a little lower than usual - a total of 35 (which is 75% of our average). However, it was a pleasant afternoon - good weather, good food and above all good company!

A number of our regulars were unable to attend as they were travelling abroad or had other commitments - George Browne, Rajvir Kadan, Subhash Malhotra, Kamal Katoch, Kuljit Sethi, Jiten Bardwaj, Divya Mahajan and others - we missed them all.

Some have moved to other countries - Sanil Juneja, Arjun Batra, Komal Dhillon, Jaimal Shergill and others they too were missed and will be missed. I think we are loosing our OS to the Dubai Chapter! (Speaking of which, I will be visiting Dubai between 25th- 30th October and will be pleased to meet up with OS over there - Kunal, Sanil, Jaimal, Ayesha - etc.)

We were delighted to welcome a few first timers - Geeta Lall and John and David Skates - a very warm welcome to them.

A number of OS travelled a long way to be with us on the day - Harbans Nagpal from Paris, Geeta Lall from The Lake District, Gladys Spencer from Wales and others too who travelled a long way- much appreciated!

We were disappointed that we did not get any bookings from the younger OS - from the 70’s 80’s 90’s and 2000’s. It seems the spirit of Sanawar is being watered down over the decades - or are we doing something wrong?? If it is the latter, then please do let us know what we can do to gain your support.

The success and continuity of the reunions depends on the numbers attending - and especially the attendance of younger OS for continuity.

However, Nikhil Mehra and Sonali Singha who made a special effort to join us represented the younger OS and brought a ray of hope with them. We were very pleased to see them! Thank you both for coming along and I hope to see you and many more next year.

Never Give In!

Aruna (Sharma) Mongia
NGD 1967

List of attendees OS Reunion - London - 4th October 2009

FIRST NAME SURNAME NEE YEAR HOUSE
Ron Bailey 1947 Nicholson
Betty Barfoot 1945 Outram
David Barfoot 1945 Lawrence
Stella Beatty (Owen) 1947 Hodson
Diljeet Chowdhury 1954 Nilagiri
Jas Chowdhury Guest
Jim Coombes 1954 Nicholson
Violet Goodall (Tilley) 1945 Lawrence
Subhash Jayaswal 1964 Siwalik
Reg Judge 1946 Hodson
Girija Kynaston (Lall) 1967 Himalaya
Geeta (Lall) 1964 Himalaya
Robert Massingham 1947 Hodson
Aruna Mongia (Sharma) 1967 Nilagiri
Harbans Nagpal 1964 Nilagiri
Michael O'Hagan 1943 Roberts
Marjorie Pappin Guest
Maureen Winders Guest
Percy Roberts Guest-J.Coombes
Virinder Saini 1966 Himalaya
Mr. Saini Guest
Arvind Sikand 1962 Himalaya
David Skates 1947 Roberts
Veronica Skates Guest
John Skates 1947 Roberts
Margaret Skates Guest
Gladys Spencer (Lowe) 1945 Nicholson
Pam Turner (Rice) 1946 Lawrence
Betty Warwick 1944 Havelock
Arlo Warwick Grandson of Betty
Ranen Niblett St.Stephens Nainital
Jim Rowe
Nikhil Mehra 2000 Himalaya
Sonali Singha 2004 Himalaya