This year’s proceeds will help fund cleft operations as well as raise money for the Mahankal Medium Nimna Madhyamik Vidyalaya of Namo Buddha which lies to the east of Dhulikhel.[break]
Swayambhu Raj Shakya, the secretary of the club, says that he believes in “education for all.” So the money raised this year will go to funding some much needed improvements in the said school. With each car being sponsored at Rs 20,000, this rally is bound to make a difference to the lives of students and teachers.
Subodh Das Shrestha, joint secretary of the club, added, “The younger generation is catching up” and learning to appreciate the Beetle.
Shrestha says the lineup is based on the seniority of the club members. If it was based on the Beetles, the foremost model would be from 1964, followed by other models as well as the Mexican models from the 1980s. This year, approximately 30 VW Beetles are expected to participate in the charity rally.
Fundraising chairman Urbin Shrestha, 34, says that he is a part of the club and the rally because “it’s also a gathering for Beetle owners to get to know each other and to help poor students and schools.”
Shrestha is the proud owner of seven Beetles and claims his love for the Bug goes back to the Beetle his father purchased when he was born.
Echoing the words of Shrestha is Prashanna KC, 30, another member, who says, “A Beetle is a passion. It’s like a hobby,” and goes even further to add, “It’s like an addiction.”
The rally also provides a forum, as KC says, “for likeminded people to come together” to exchange maintenance tips and to do some charity works.
The day will begin with the entire participating Volkswagen Beetles gathering at Durbar Marg in Kathmandu at 8 am.
The two-hour procession from the venue to Namo Buddha 50 kilometers away is expected to start around 9 am.
Side events include a program at the school and some tree-planting, before the Bugs and their drivers return to Durbar Marg for winding up the eventful day.
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