In Memory of Vikas - Nepal Project
Ashiyana Team
posted on 03 August 2016
It has been a very sad time for us at Ashiyana. At the beginning of July, we learned of the passing of Vikas, who was one of the Ashiyana family and a senior member of the Nepalese kitchen staff.
Vikas, 24, had been with us for six years, was only ever a pleasure to have around, and an extremely positive force at Ashiyana. Most often smiling, if not actually laughing, Vikas took life effortlessly in his stride. The pressures of working in the kitchen never showed on his face or in his demeanour, and he remained serene amidst all that life presented him with. Even in the aftermath of the earthquake that rocked his country, city and home, he was relaxed and calm.
We were just about to offer Vikas the opportunity of running the kitchen at our new restaurant/cafe, and the management team were excited at this prospect. This was in recognition of his incredible work ethic, his abilities and his beautiful nature.
In May 2015, we set up the Ashiyana Nepal Project to raise money to help our Nepali Kitchen Team rebuild their lives and their homes since the devastating earthquakes struck Nepal. Over a year on, in August 2016, we have so far raised over £12,000 through fundraising events and donations from family members and our wonderful guests. We are now over halfway to our target of £20,000.
On 24th July, we held a Yoga, Sound and Daal Dinner fundraising event at our sister studio, Treehouse Yoga, in south-west London. The event was held in memory of dear Vikas. We had such a lovely afternoon celebrating Vikas's life - Tobie T led a flow yoga class, our friends Peter and Ion the Lion guided us through a wonderful Yoga Nidra, Gong Bath and kirtan, and we finished the evening with a Daal dinner cooked by Ashiyana's Charlotte, Siân and Tobie...and not to forget the famous Ashiyana Chocolate Balls we had for dessert!
We like to think that Vikas would have been proud :-)
Pictured from left to right: Gary - Charlotte - Siân - Tobie - Gary - Linda
We raised a wonderful £376 that day for our Nepali team. Thank you so much to everyone that attended and donated some of your time, energy and money to make the afternoon such a lovely occasion...and a big thank you to Linda d'Antal for providing us with the Treehouse space and kitchen!
We will continue to support Vikas' family with this project. Ashiyana covered the costs of his funeral, which was held in his hometown in Nepal last month.
Whatever your beliefs may be, rest assured that Vikas is still smiling, and touching those that know him with his gentle and inspiring vibration.
We shall miss him deeply.
The Ashiyana Family xx
