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Kalimpong, Sept. 26: Students of Himali Boarding School, Kurseong, will stage an adaptation of Bombay Dreams at Town Hall here on October 2.

The proceeds from the two shows to be staged on the day will fund an anti-drugs and an AIDS awareness campaign of Himalayan Anti-aids and Narcotic Drugs Society (HANDS), which is hosting the programme.

“Our aim is to start a rehabilitation centre here since Kalimpong does not have one,” said Sharda Mukhia, the president of HANDS. The NGO runs a counselling centre here. It also conducts awareness campaigns in schools and peer-counselling sessions for addicts.

Himali School is doing the programme for free to support the cause being espoused by HANDS. “The issue (relating to drug abuse and AIDS) needs to be addressed by people in the hills. By performing for such a worthy cause, our children will also be aware of the problem,” said Robindra Subba, the school director.

The original Bollywood-themed musical was written by Meera Syal and was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The music was composed by A R Rahman and lyrics by Don Black. “As the original musical was written to introduce India to a Western audience, we have made some changes in the script to suit Indian viewers,” said Subba, who directs the approximately two-hour long play.

The school has earned a reputation for producing top-draw musicals. In the past, its students had performed plays like Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar in Delhi, Calcutta and Bhutan. “After Kalimpong, we will stage Bombay Dreams in Kurseong,” said Subba.