Bedford based international charity SEVA Trust UK celebrates its 7th birthday and recognised special contributions by Bedford based individuals and organisations for all communities
SAMAJ WEEKLY, UK
Exceptional contributions of volunteers from diverse backgrounds working with different charities were recognised by the Bedford-based international charity SEVA Trust UK at an awards evening and community dinner at Indian Summer Restaurant Bedford.
Special guests at the event included Mr Mohammed Yasin (MP for Bedford and Kempston), Cllr Mohammed Nawaz (Mayor of Kempston), Emma Freda (CEO Healthwatch), Gloria Chukwuji (Community Outreach Officer, Healthwatch) and Mr Ashok Khandelwal (Director BAPIO training academy and Healthwatch Bedford).
The evening was attended by senior members of the local community, representatives from various charities and voluntary organisations in Bedford, including Gurdwaras and Temples, members of Shaheedi Sports Council, SEVA Trust volunteers, NHS doctors, and supporting partners of SEVA Trust.
Welcoming the panel of guests, the vice chair of SEVA Trust Dr Baljit Upadhyay said “We feel honoured to have all the guests and truly proud and thrilled to celebrate 7 years of SEVA trust launch. We are very pleased to celebrate the success of projects both in the UK and India, strengthening our community cohesion and the diversity of our great town, Bedford, which is known for its generosity and supports various charities across the town.”
Dr Upadhyay highlighted the charity work throughout Bedfordshire and India. She further congratulated Chairman Charan Sekhon MBE for his leadership and dedication to making it possible. She said “During the pandemic, SEVA Trust delivered 5000+ food parcels, supported more than 350 families, more than 750 international students, more than 55 people facing homelessness during Covid and vulnerable women and victims of domestic abuse. Various seminars and workshops have been organised over the years in Bedford and Kempston, which is part of the ongoing educational initiatives”. Dr Upadhyay added that SEVA Trust’s work has been recognised and acknowledged widely and we were awarded the “Charity of the Year Award” at the British Indian Award Ceremony in 2019.
She said “in addition, SEVA Trust UK( India) team has delivered a wide range if perfects reaching out to thousands of children, vulnerable individuals and families from disadvantaged communities in India. SEVA Trust Indian team has acquired land at a prime location to construct a multi-facility home (SEVA Dham), which will include a Care Centre for Children suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and rare disorders, a Diagnostic centre, a Computer Skill Development centre for girls, a Sewing training and production centre for women and senior citizen day-care centre.”
“SEVA Trust operates on the concept of SEVA (selfless service) without a single paid staff member in our charity,” said Dr Upadhyay.
Congratulating SEVA Team, Mr Yasin said, “I consider SEVA Trust as one of the best charities in Bedford and the amount of support work SEVA Trust has delivered in the past seven years in Bedfordshire and India has been phenomenal. Today is special evening as SEVA Trust is celebrating not just their own successes but honouring many special individuals and unsung heroes who work very hard through different charities for the betterment of Bedford communities.’’
Mr Nawaz thanked SEVA Trust for their valuable input and supporting and recognising other charities and organisations across Bedford for their contributions to communities and for making it a beautiful town to live in. He thanked Mr Charan Sekhon MBE for his contributions and setting up SEVA Trust UK and bringing diverse charities and originations s of Bedford much closer.
Special thanks were given to Indian Summers for their ongoing and exceptional support in hosting various charity events in Bedford.
MP Mohammed Yasin and Mayor Mr Mohammed Nawaz presented awards to individuals and community groups for their great support of communities.
The presentation was followed by a three-course Indian dinner and generous donations from the guests.
Giving vote of thanks Mr Ashok Khandelwal said ‘Charity work by SEVA Trust without a single paid staff makes our town very special where diverse communities live in peace and harmony and contribute enormously. The concept of SEVA (selfless service ) is an integral part of our Indian culture and heritage and it is fantastic to see SEVA Trust working on this concept helping communities of Bedfordshire and working in various parts of India. He thanked special guests and all the attendees for supporting this event.
List of Award winners:
- Mrs Devnider Kaur Garbri for 40 years of voluntary services in education, charity and community work in Bedfordshire .
- Dr Parvati Rajamani forher services in promoting Indian classical dance and for community services in Bedfordshire .
- Dr Viriedra Soni for 50 years services for community and charities in Bedfordshire
- Mr Shaminder Singh Garcha and his team in India for voluntary work in Punjab for SEVA Trust UK (India) Team.
- Mr Nirmal Sondhi for his voluntary work in equality and support for disadvantaged in Bedford and Punjab.
- Indian Summer Restaurant for supporting charities and voluntary originations of Bedfordshire
- Mr Jaimuni Rahi for 60 years of community services and promoting Indian poetry and classical music.
- Shaheedi Sports Council, Bedford for 55 years of community service and promoting sports. multicultural activates and community cohesion
To find out more or to connect with SEVA Trust via social media on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or to provide any feedback or support, here is the charity’s official website link:
