IPSWICH HINDU SAMAJ
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY– JUNE 2012 ISSUE NO :12
Editor’s Comments
“Man needs his difficulties, because they are necessary to Enjoy success”, by Abdul Kalam, Scientist, Rocket Engineer, and former President of India.“You get in life, what you have courage to ask for”, by Oprah Winfrey.
The above two quotations, give you the message for encouragement, fulfilment of your wishes, and to enjoy the fruits of your actions.
This is the first newsletter of the year2012, of the Ipswich Hindu Samaj, and I will highlight the difficulties and the problems faced and how they were solved and steps taken to brighten the image and work of the Samaj and of the Mandir. I am grateful to all those, who helped and assisted me in carrying out my duties as envisaged in the Samaj’s constitution, and also instructed by the Executive Committee and Trustees.
Events
During the period from January and June 2012, the following events took place in the Mnadir, besides the usual sponsored Bhajan Evenings on every 3rd Tuesday of the month.
- The Lorhi festival & Makar Sankranti were celebrated on Saturday 14th Jan.
- The festival of Basant Panchami / Saraswati Puja was celebrated on Tuesday 28th Jan
- Maha Shivraatri was celebrated on Tuesday 21st Feb
- The Holi festival was celebrated on Thursday 8th Mar
- The Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat 2070, Thursday 22nd Mar) was celebrated on Saturday 24th Mar
- Rama Navmi – the birth day of lord Rama was celebrated on Sunday 1st Apr
- Hanumaan Jayanti- celebrated on Friday 16th Apr with recitation of Hanuman Chalisa 11 times.
- Sita Padaarpan (birth of Sita Mata), Buddha Jayanti and Nar Simha Avtaar Jayanti – celebrated on Saturday 5th Apr
All the above events were sponsored by devotees.
I, Umesh Patel and Punna Athwall participated in the Orwell River Charity Walk to raise fund for the development of youth activities at the centre,
Meetings
The Executive Committee & Trustees met every other month to discuss and carrying out the management and work of the Samaj. We recovered from the landlord losses incurred for the damage caused by burglary last November in 2011. Electric Chair Lift has been damaged and repaired again, and we are in the process of claiming expenses from the landlord, who ultimately accepted their liability for repairs.
In May we had meeting with the officers and councillors of the Suffolk County Council, and made them aware of our needs, and also explained to them our inability in sharing community facilities with other faith or voluntary organisations due to our cultural and religious traditions. SCC made clear that they are unable to give financial help, but will consider providing suitable premises for our Community Centre & Mandir. We provided them, the latest IHS Business Plan, prepared for the Samaj by Vinaya Kulkarni Vasudeva
Premises
The Samaj is aware of the lack of some facilities at the present Community Centre & Mandir, 5 Thoroughfare, and therefore is always looking for a suitable sites or premises within our resources. We looked at a Meeting house at Cauldwell Hall Road, and the old Victorian School in Argyll Street. Ipswich. In both cases the price quoted was high and beyond our resources. The Victorian school had more space, but needed £50k for internal & external decoration besides the sale price of £347k. We are thinking of purchasing the freehold of the present premises 5 Thoroughfare and make it more viable and usable for our big cultural and religious festivals.
Grants
One of the grants application submitted last October for an appointment of Admin Asstt/Development Officer, was successful for the 2012/13. A young person has been appointed in July for initially for 3 months, but may be extended for another 3 months , to report on what will be required to bring youths and young persons to the Community Centre & Mandir.
Another application for grant for Youth Activities in May has been refused, because of lack of information on the needs of youths & young persons. This will be provided soon and the application will be reconsidered in October next.
Visitors to Mandir
During the period under review, we had two school visits – Tivettshall Primary School, Norfolk and Halifax Primary School, Ipswich. We also had visit from Copdock & South Suffolk Christian Ladies Group and by the High Sheriff of Suffolk Andrew Norman-Butler, Mrs Norman-Butler and his chaplain, Rev John Fowler. School children participated in puja and in the ringing of Mandir bell, where as the ladies group and the High Sheriff were explained the deities installed in the Mandir.I am thank full to Vinaya Kulkarni, Sanjaya Martin, Sital Patel, and Mr & Mrs Punna Athwall for their help.
Besides these arranged visits, many had come during the Mandir opening hours for darshan & prayers.
Activities
Besides regular bhajan evenings and celebrations of Hindu festivals, we had bhakti & chanting group meetings, yoga & meditation classes. We also had Bharat Natyam classes for young ladies and threading & facial treatment on Saturdays.
We hope to organise in future Sat Narain Katha & Puja, Arya Samaj Hawan, talks on Bhagvat Gita. We will also be encouraging youths & young person’s sports activities, such as carom, table-tennis and football games etc.
New Website Page: Localgiving.com
Besides our main website www.ipswichhindusamaj.org.uk, we have created another web page for raising donations for the Samaj www.localgiving.com/ipswichhindusamaj . However, before donating any amount, you will have to register as the supporter of localgiving.com. This webpage is for a trial period of one year, if there is not enough support we will come out of it next year.
Conclusion
We would like to take on more activities and to open the Mandir for longer period and for more days than at present, but due to lack of volunteers, we are unable to so. We will continue to promote our aims and objectives in partnership with Suffolk NHS Trust, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk New College, University College Suffolk, SIFRE, ISCRE, Suffolk Prison Service, Faith Organisations & Voluntary Bodies and Local & Corporate authorities.
I would like to record, the participation of the Samaj in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Mr & Mrs Umesh & Parul Patel attended choral service at the Bury Cathedral, Sanjaya Martin , Vinay & Vinaya Vasudeva, Mr & Mrs Punna & Avtaar Athwall attended the Garden Party at David & Cynthia home. I was invited with Mrs Soni, as President of the Samaj (before the AGM) to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Sandringham, along with many other guests from Norfolk & Suffolk, and we had the opportunity of meeting and talking to the Queen.
Finally I would like to thank all committee members and trustees, and volunteers for their help with gratitude for their praise and take on board their criticism.
Dr Sushil Soni
Vice-Chairman/Secretary & Manager
Ipswich Hindu Samaj