At this difficult time for so many, Milton Keynes Hindu Association, as it has previously – notably during the covid-19 period, continues its efforts to provide support in many ways to the community of Milton Keynes.
In keeping with the above aim, particularly during this Festive Season, MKHA this week made a donation of a large variety of essential food items to MK Food Bank which we hope will help ease the financial burdens faced by many. The donation was greatly appreciated by the worthy local organisation. See letter of acknowledgement below.
MKHA wish you all the Season’s Greetings and a very Happy New Year.
The Trustees and the Executive Committee hosted a party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the 4th June. Her Majesty’s selfless dedication to duty and devotion to service is so admired and respected by the community. She has led by example and one which we all ought as far as we can to emulate in the service, we are able to give to others.
We were delighted and honoured to have with us to celebrate this Milestone event amongst other guests the following dignitaries: –
HH Judge Francis Sheridan DL – representing the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire
Debbie Brock DL – High Sherriff of Buckinghamshire
Cllr. Amanda Marlow – Mayor of MK
Francesca Skelton DL – Trustee of Arts and Heritage Alliance MK, Trustee of MK Community Foundation
Iain Stewart MP – MK South
Cllr. Sam Crook – Broughton
Cllr. Manish Verma – Tattenhoe
Suresh Nesaratnam – Trustee of Murugan Temple MK
Sister Maruti – Peace Pagoda MK
We thank all those who joined us, including representatives of TVP. It was such a joy to see the community all coming together and having fun in the sun – yes even the sun shone for our party to Honour HM !
Grateful thanks to all those, including the many volunteers who made the event the success it was.
On the occasion of HM Jubilee celebrations, we take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the many years of encouragement, guidance and support which we, at MKHA have benefitted from the Buckinghamshire Lieutenancy team. They have contributed in so many ways to our progress and achievements to date. Our thanks also to Iain Stewart MP who has been a stalwart friend of MKHA, together with Cllr. Crook whose guidance we have much valued and will continue to. Delighted to have join us also Cllr. Verma with whom we look forward to sharing future Milestones. So pleased to have also welcomed Parish Cllr. Macsene Isles-Ahite to our Community Centre.
We are also very pleased that in the Queen’s recent Birthday Honours list Laxman Kastala of Dream Sai has also been honoured with a BEM. Our congratulations to you both.
The Jubilee celebrations today have not only brought together the local Hindu community, but our community of Broughton and the community of our beautiful CITY of Milton Keynes. Thank you, Ma’am, for according us official City status on your Platinum Jubilee. Continuing with the celebratory theme, MKHA are delighted to have 6 members, to include key workers who have been selected to join the Jubilee Pageant at the Mall for the finale of the celebrations on the 5th June. Amongst those members was one who was selected to be Queen of MK – our own Shobhna Padhiar, (Asst. Secretary) who has led our Arts and craft workshops over the past year. Our warmest congratulations them all. They will be flying the (Mandala) flags for both MKHA and MK.
“Wednesday 18th May 2022 will always be one of the most memorable days of my life. Veena and I were privileged to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and it was indeed a day full of sunshine, lots of colour and a chance to see and meet some of the Royal family. We also had a chance to share our goals and achievements with some of the many guests who were also present at the event due to their selfless service to the community
Veena and I will always be indebted to MKHA for giving us this wonderful opportunity to serve the community. ”
On Wednesday 11th May 2022, Rikesh Raichura and his wife Anita had the pleasure of attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and by the Duchess of Cornwall.
In the words of Rikesh (our past Trustee)
We were humbled to be nominated by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire and High Sherriff of Buckinghamshire for services to Milton Keynes Hindu Association and the wider MK Community, in particular for serving in various positions over the past 12 years, Including as Secretary, Vice President and most recently Trustee and for leading the highly successful Shiv Katha by Giri Bapu, the MK50 MKHA Mela in Campbell Park featuring Navin Kundra and various other events and projects such as the first ever MKHA Holi Colour Festival, the 108 Jamunajini Loti Utsav and more recently playing a significant role in the Covid Support Program..
The event, with all it’s grandeur and splendour was not at all ruined by the typical British Summer weather – where even though we were soaked to the bone, we very much enjoyed mixing with High Society. We were very lucky be able to have a short conversation with HRH The Prince of Wales whom afterwards shook Anita’s hand.
We are truly grateful to MKHA and the Lord Lieutenant and High Sherriff for affording us this honour and allowing us to represent MKHA at the Palace.
The Trustees of Milton Keynes Hindu Association (MKHA), Regd, Charity No 802344 congratulate Vinod Pankhania BEM on the recognition he has today received for the achievements of MKHA during his tenure as President.
Born in Kenya, the family relocated to Milton Keynes in the 1990s. Soon after the move, he joined MKHA, initially as a volunteer. Very quickly his dedication and commitment to help the community became apparent and he was elected onto the executive committee.
During his time as President, MKHA held a number of successful events and regular activities including a 9 day Shiv Katha recital, the first ever Milton Keynes Mela at Campbell Park attended by thousands of people from Milton Keynes and beyond. Both events contributed to the fund raising efforts of the organisation in progressing the 1st Phase of the build of the first Hindu Temple and Community centre in Milton Keynes. This facilitated the Phase 1 completion and inauguration of the centre on the auspicious Hindu Festival of Makar Sankranti – 14/01/2019. In addition MKHA continued its successful language, music and Bollywood classes.
The availability of a centre as a base enabled MKHA to continue the varied Cultural, religious, social and educational offerings to not only the diverse Hindu communities residing in Milton Keynes, but also to the community of Broughton where the centre is located and to the wider Milton Keynes community. Since its opening the centre has been used by Thames Valley Police to host IAG meetings, the NHS have held medical camps for Broughton residents, local ramblers groups use it as a rest break, local mother and toddler groups have held regular meetings at the centre. The centre hopes to continue to provide a services it currently hosts and expand its cultural and educational delivery post pandemic.
Vinod, during his tenure as President has encouraged and supported greater provision for elders and the youth in particular to ensure their needs are properly recognised and met. He has thus fostered a unique bond between the generations by leading during the covid-19 pandemic, online prayer and bhajan recitals. The youth have benefitted from learning and joining in the prayer and bhajans, with the elders perfecting their IT skills from the younger generation!
A covid-19 support programme was activated to provide support to the residents of Milton Keynes including the provision of, in excess of 4,500 hot nutritious vegetarian meals and food packs to keyworkers at MK University Hospital amongst others, the homeless and the vulnerable and those shielding or in isolation. This service was provided during the midst of the worst period of the pandemic.
Throughout his Presidency Vinod has ensured that MKHA links up, works with and supports other similar local cultural and charitable organisations and Statutory bodies. His view is that no organisation or person can succeed solely but acting in unison will ensure the success of all.
Our thanks to Vinod for his contributions to MKHA and to the community of Milton Keynes.
FINAL CALL MKHA would like to send a final call to those who have yet to put their nominations forward for a role as an Executive committee including key posts. The AGM takes place on 12th December 2021. Nominations MUST be submitted by 4pm on 5th December 2021.
A reminder to those who wish to participate in voting for the nominees, please ensure you renew your MKHA membership before the elections in order to vote.
In view of the ongoing covid-19 concern, there is likelihood that a number of people will choose to vote online instead of attending in person. Please could all applicants prepare a short script of which position they are applying for, with how they believe they are best suited to the role
(Those who attend will of course be able to hear the candidates give a short introduction in person)
From Tuesday, 30th November, everyone must wear a face covering upon entering MKHA Mandir and Community centre.
We will continue to clean our Mandir, have hand sanitisers available and do temperature checks as an extra precautionary measure. We will have some windows open to help increased the fresh air circulation.
We are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your ongoing support.
MKHA is pleased to let you know that we are starting Yoga classes at MKHA Mandir from the 28th of November 2021. This is an opportunity to relax the mind and body.
In advance of the Mandir and Community centre closure for essential building maintenance works, MKHA seeks volunteers who have the following skills or experience: –
Carpenters
Electricians
General Handy work persons
The assistance is needed during the Christmas period – 25th December to 2nd January 2022 inclusive.
As ever the support and help of our volunteer team is greatly appreciated.
If you can help, please contact Ramnikbhai Tosar on 07842 602007 or Kaushikbhai Shah on 07790 495924
