GURU RL&VllDLkSg DpJAw• COMMUNITY CENTRE CEhiv? Annual Report 2023
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
CONTENTS
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||President’s Foreword|Page 3|
||Secretary’s Report|Page 4 - 5|
||Executive Committee|Page 6|
||Mission Statement & Aims of SGRS|Page 7|
||Trustees|Page 8|
||Highlights 2023|Page 9-15|
||ESOL, Classes & Website|Page 16|
||Auditor’s Report|Page 17|
||Accounts|Page 18-19|
||Acknowledgements|Page 20|
||Contact details|Page 21|
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PRESIDENT’S FOREWORD
MR. JASWINDER KUMAR
Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha & Community Centre Bedford is a multicultural organisation, serving everyone regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, or ability.
The Centre is named after ‘Sat Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji , a great teacher and a visionary of the 15[th ] century who was born in India and spent all his life promoting justice, fairness and equality and the universal fact that there is only one God and we are all His creation. His teachings lead us towards being decent human beings and law-abiding inhabitants of this earth.
The Organisation was established in the early 1970’s has served the community extensively with funds raised from the Ravidassia Community of Bedford.
The Executive Committee continued to observe safety procedures as post lockdown easing came into effect with government guidelines.
On behalf of SGRScc Bedford Das would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all Seva Dars, trustees, donors and contributors for their selfless service and commitment in steadily and safely bringing all operations at Sri Guru Ravidass Bhawan & Community Centre, Bedford back to normality.
To celebrate HRH King Charle’s III & Queen Carmila’s coronation celebrations wereorganised by SGRScc. The occasion was well received and was attended by the Lord Lieutenant Susan Lousada and Deputy Lieutenant Deborah Inskip with VIP’s, Sangat and the Public with their families, all enjoyed the music, exhibition and food with drinks was served.
All work on the new build which had been postponed for post lockdowns, began in the third quarter. The auspicious occasion laying the foundation stone was attended by the Trustees, Executive Management Committee and the Ravidassia Community and users of the Centre.
The Guru Ghar Seva Dars will continue to serve the Communities needs and move forward with the progress made.
With full support of the Trustees and Ravidassia Community the Management Committee will aspire to take this organisation to more modern levels in it’s future outlook & conduct, keeping within the teachings and guidance of Sat Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.
Jai Gurdev Ji
Jaswinder Kumar
(President SGRScc Bedford)
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GENERAL SECRETARY’S OVERVIEW
MR. PRATHVI RAJ RANDHAWA
GENERAL SECRETARY’S ANNUAL REPORT 1/8/2022 – 31/7/2023 PRESENTED AT THE PUBLIC MEETING: 18/2/2024
JAI GURDEV JI
Das would like to thank everyone for attending today’s meeting and would like to take this opportunity at this Public Meeting to present to you our annual report of the progress made since the last annual meeting held on the 16/4/2023.
You have all received a comprehensive end of term financial report from our Guru Ghar Treasurer and Auditors for the period, 1/8/2022– 31/7/2023.
Today’s report covers the financial accounting period 1/8/2022 – 31/7/2023.
With the end of the September 2022 bank holiday the work on the extension started with the back of the main building closed off as a building site. All langar facilities were transferred to the new temporary langar hall building that had been put up in the carpark immediately. The new temporary langar hall was fully operational in October, timely arrival of Gianni Rakesh Kumar Ji, much needed Gianni for our Gurughar.
End of 2022 saw Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha Bedford lose two Trustees, with the passing of Malkiat Singh Randhawa, senior long term trustee (Sevadar) on the 17/10/2022 and Trustee Rajendar Badhan resigned his post with immediate effect on the 15/11/2022.
The New Year 2023 celebrations were limited to the religious traditional event and absent from the family community fun day with music and prizes due to lack of space.
However the ESOL, Punjabi and music classes resumed due to popular demand.
The laying of the foundation stone for the new extension to the Temple was well attended by the young members to the elders in the community who all participated in the ceremony.
The annual Gurpurb, (646[th] Birth Anniversary of Sat Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji) celebrations were this year mainly celebrated within the Bedfordshire communities. It was felt from a safety aspect that as we were still cautious for large gatherings, especially regarding the procession being kept to a very short route within the vicinity of the temple and community centre.
The Gurpurb celebrations in the Houses of Parliament were also resumed this year.
The annual Community Cohesion awards 2023 saw one of our sevadar, Mrs Rashpal Ganger champion the category for ‘interfaith’
With the local elections underway we saw our new Mayor join the Community centre on Equality Day annual event.
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GENERAL SECRETARY’S OVERVIEW
MR. PRATHVI RAJ RANDHAWA
With the country in preparation for the coronation celebrations, Sri Guru Ravidass Bhawan & Community Centre also made preparations for the lifetime event in May and joined the uplifting mood across the country.
Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha sevadar was officially invited to HRH King Charles III & Queen Camilla Coronation and Mrs Rani Kaur BEM, sevadar of the community was on official invite representing Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha & Community Centre Bedford and to include official police duty on the day for PC Raj Memhi from the community as well.
We also held an exhibition to mark the weekend event with food and drinks. The occasion marked by the Lord Lieutenant Susan Lousada & Deputy Lord Lieutenant Deborah Inskip.
An unfortunate incident involving two members of the community was reported to the President & General Secretary. The seriousness of physical behaviour with the threat and unacceptable language used by one of the members from the congregation was immediately reported to the police as the Gurughar sevadar (selfless servant / volunteer) was attacked whilst carry out his seva. The incident was discussed in an emergency session of the executive meeting and recommended that his membership be revoked.
Gianni Balvir Singh Ji completed his two year term and went back home to his family in India in October.
You will be pleased to know that Gianni Amrik Singh Ji had his appeal reconsidered and is at present in the process of administrative consideration. Das is hopeful for a successful outcome as a lot of work has gone into this challenging part of the duties we have here.
Work on the extension was hoped to be completed for February 2023 Gurpurb but for challenges in getting material, mainly the discontinuation of the bricks in the original planning application.
Reapplying for permission for alternatives has been completed and agreed, the resumption of work has begun with the installation of PV solar panels.
As the completion date has past, Das is hopeful that the Sangat is indeed supportive of this delay.
With God’s grace guiding us through these challenging times, sevadars have continued to serve the Communities of Bedfordshire even when we have one Gianni (priest) at Gurughar, in whatever support and for as long as required in the ongoing challenges.
Das would like to take this opportunity and on behalf of Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha Bedford Sewadars (Executive Management Committee) to pay our respect and condolences to all families who have been affected during these past 2 years and thank the trustees, all sangat, every sewadar and public officials who have supported us immensely.
Thank You.
JAI GURDEV JI
Prathvi Raj Randhawa (Gen.Sec.SGRScc Bedford)
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MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Bedford Sri Guru Ravidass Bhawan & Community Centre Guru Ravidass Lane, (Off Ashburnham Rd), Bedford, MK40 1ED Tel : 01234 359681
Jai Gurdev Ji, 30/01/2022
Dear Sadh Sangat Ji Dear President & General Secretary,
I have great pleasure in announcing and forwarding the list of the New, unanimously elected Gurughar Seva Dars (Management Committee) of Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha & Community Centre, Bedford.
Newly Elected Management Committee
President: Vice President: General Secretary: Asst. Secretary: Treasurer: Asst Treasurer: Auditor: Asst Auditor: Cultural Secretary: Educational Secretary: Sports Secretary: Store Supervisor: Building/Maintenance Supervisor:
Jaswinder Kumar (07715347643) Hans Raj Nagah (0738896746) Prathvi Raj Randhawa (07980814301) Surjit KumarHeera Dilbagh Banghard Sucha Ram Paul Charanjit Chumber Jaswant Sunda Balwinder Ram Bharoli Mrs Saroj Sondhi Ram Murti Bhatoa Nanjoo Ram Paul Tilak Raj
Executive Members:
Mrs Abnash Nagah Mrs Bimla Devi Mrs Giano Kaur Mrs Gurdev Kaur Bains Mrs Rani Kaur
Mr Parshotam Sampla Mr Pawan Deep Mr Ram Dass Mehmi Mr Roop Lal Kaul Mr Mohan Lal Toora
Yours Sincerely
Jaswinder Kumar (President SGRScc) Bedford
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MISSION STATEMENT
Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha and Community Centre Bedford is a multicultural Centre and aims to meet the social and cultural needs of the diverse local communities of Bedfordshire, improving quality of life of the users of the centre, and encouraging tolerance, understanding and harmony without discrimination of race, colour, caste, creed, religion, gender, ability or sexual orientation.
Aims
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To meet the social and cultural needs of the community.
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To improve the quality of life of the users of the centre.
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To actively support groups from different cultures, and provide a base for their activities.
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To support the relief of poverty. To work for the advancement of learning and education. To encourage integration. To support Ravidassia principles of:
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EQUALITY, JUSTICE, FAIRNESS, CHARITY, TOLERANCE and UNDERSTANDING.
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SRI GURU RAVIDASS SABHA TRUSTEE’S
Mr Satveer Badhan Mr Tarsem Paul Mr Om Parkash Bagha Mr Nasib Chand Rahl Mr Hazara Ram Bains Mr Michael Ram Mr Mohan Singh Bains Mr Mohinder Ram Sandhu Mr Harmesh Bangerh Mr Chain Ram Mr Ram Parkash Bangerh Mr Charan Singh Mr Tarsem Bangher Mr Ram Saran Suman Mr Prem Chand Basra Mr Gurchain Singh Sunyara
Mr Sada Ram Bhatti
Mr Gurmel Singh Chamber
Mr Mehar Chand Ghera Mr Sohan Singh Jhalli Mr Sodhi Ram Mahi Mr Baldev Raj Nighah Mr Chaman Lal Paul
Mr Roop Lal Paul Mr Sat Paul
Mr Satpal Paul Mr Surinder Paul
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NISHAN SAHIB JI PROCESSION AT SGRBcc
GURPURB
GURPURB IN PARLIAMENT
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HRH KING CHARLES III & QUEEN CAMILLA CORONATION CELEBRATIONS
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REMEMBERANCE
CHATTRI MEMORIAL BRIGHTON
SRI GURU RAVIDASS BHAWAN & COMMUNITY CENTRE BEDFORD
BEDFORD MEMORIAL
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(i)11, WORK BEGINS FOR NEW BUILDING Ipr iAi ,I,,Iili 11D7 12
LAYING THE FOUDATION STONE FOR NEW BUILDING & CELEBRATIONS
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IN THE COMMUNITY
HRH KING CHARLES III & QUEEN CAMILLA CORONATION
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(i)11, IN THE COMUNITY NEW AWARDS If,Iill' Jrtterfoitfi •B•rtNthr*THE GARDEN 15
The Community Development Centre, (formerly known as the Learning Centre) was funded by the Big Lottery Fund and has been running ESOL and IT classes successfully where learners from all communities of Bedford are welcome to learn and socialise in a safe and friendly environment. Learners of basic computers and ESOL are taught by tutors from Bedford College and WEA.
Funding from Bedford Borough Council (Third Sector Funding) allowed us to purchase 10 more laptop computers. Extra furniture was made available to update the classrooms.
Punjabi classes held every Sunday.
Employment Surgery was launched on 11[th] November 2022 for Sangat seeking help in employment.
Passport surgery held every Monday evening for Sangat seeking help in passport, visa or OCI applications.
This year we have continued to redevelop our website for improved accessibility to news, events and services including archive material and provision for You Tube with a link to the organisations website. The website is available on www.gururavidasssabhabedford.com.
This site will allow us to offer our services to a wider audience of the Bedfordshire community. It will allow direct access to donors to make donations to SGRScc Bedford.
We will update all on our forthcoming programmes and also list facilities our organisation can provide at the New Community Building & Development Centre.
We are hoping that with todays changing technology we can utilise this medium to further our organisation and increase visibility.
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AUDITOR’S REPORT 2022 - 2023
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ACCOUNTS 2022 - 2023
SUMMARY
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ACCOUNTS 2022 - 2023
SUMMARY
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
THANKS TO:
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Bedfordshire Police (Deputy Chief Constable Mr Trevor Rodenhurst and Asst. Chief Constable - Shaun Basra) & Community Cohesion Team
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Bedford Police Crime Commissioner (Festus Atkinbusoye)
Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Services. (Andrew Hopkinson)
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Vfs Global (London)
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Office of MP Bedford & Kempston (Mohammed Yasin )
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Royal British Legion, (Robin Thomas)
RAF (Squadron Leader Amir Khan and Flight Lieutenant Pratik Kandangwa & Sergeant Shiv Chand)
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British Army ( Warrant Officer ( Ashok Kumar Chuahan MBE)
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Chattri Memorial Group (Davinder Dhillon)
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Mayor’s Office Bedford (Cllr. Tom Wootton)
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Bedford Borough Council & Registrar's Office (Miriam Burgess & Yvonne Prudham)
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His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant (Susan Lousada) His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenants (Vinod Tailor, Debbie Inskip)
Gurdwara Aid Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat, Luton Bedford Council of Faiths (Revd. Cassandra Howes) Bishop of Bedford - Rt. Reverend Richard Atkins Strengthening Faith Institutions (SFI) Premier Solicitors NHS Healthwatch (Emma Freda) Cllr. Pinder Chauhan The Harpur Trust Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation Sainsburys (Clapham, Bedford) Morrisons (Bedford) Premier Store (Harmesh Bangerh) Accurate Acc Ltd Mato Design PHT Printers Bedford Taxi Drivers Samaj Weekly
GURU RAVIDASS LANE BEDFORD MK40 1ED TEL: 01234 359681
EMAIL: GURURAVIDASS@BTINTERNET.COM
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