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.
MKHA thanks Her Majesty for, in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2022 list honouring our President Vinod Pankhania with a British Empire Medal.
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.
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.
Thank you very much for making yesterday’s Sagai/Chundadi event successful. It wouldn’t have been possible without Vinodbhai, Kaushikbhai, Chetnaben & additional volunteers in kitchen. The whole event ran smoothly and we have nothing but praises for the whole team.
I am very happy and grateful to MKHA’S committee and the brilliant team lead by Vinodbhai, Kaushikbhai and Chetnaben and volunteers for making yesterday’s Sagai event successful.
The whole event ran smoothly and we have nothing but praises for the whole team. Thank you and let’s hope this Saturday’s wedding runs smoothly ?? – Bride’s father