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COMMUNITY CENTrE
Annual Report 2024
## **ANNUAL REPORT 2024**
## **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 2024|Page 9– 22|
||ESOL, Classes & Website|Page 23|
||Auditor’s Report|Page 24|
||Accounts|Page 25|
||Acknowledgements|Page 26|
||Contact details|Page 27|
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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.
All work on the new build has steadily continued which had been postponed for post lockdowns, began in the third quarter. The auspicious occasion 26th January, 2024 will be the opening ceremony of the extension to the Prayer hall and the Langar hall.
The Guru Ghar Seva Dars will continue to serve the Communities needs and move forward with the progress made.
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 running all operations at Sri Guru Ravidass Bhawan & Community Centre, Bedford.
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**
## PRESENTED AT THE GENERAL BODY MEETING UP TO: 05/01/2025
JAI GURDEV JI
Das would like to thank everyone for attending today’s meeting and would like to take this opportunity at this General Body Meeting to present to you our annual report of the progress made since the last annual meeting held on the 18/02/2024.
You have all received a comprehensive end of term financial report from our Guru Ghar Treasurer and Auditors. Today’s report covers the financial accounting period 1/8/2023 – 31/7/2024.
Beginning August 2023 Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha & Community Centre Bedford Management Committee received a letter from Amrik Chand Palahi outlining his version of the incident between himself and Balwinder Ram Bharoli. The issue was raised and discussed at an emergency meeting and decided that it be taken to the next General Body meeting.
The issue was discussed at the General Body meeting on 18[th] April 2024, where it was found difficult to conclude due to the chaos generated. A special Joint Trustee and Executive Committee meeting were arranged for 7[th] April 2024 to settle the matter. However whilst the meeting was in progress, a fatal incident occurred where trustee Mr Roop Lal Paul who left the room suddenly fell ill and suffered a cardiac arrest and after first aid responder Asst. General Secretary Surjit Kumar Heera administered CPR and Paramedics took over, tragically Mr Roop Lal Paul passed away.
The issue was brought before a second General Body meeting on the 5[th] May 2024 where finally both Amrik Chand Palahi and Balwinder Ram Bharoli agreed and happy to resolve the matter in the prayer hall after receiving Ardass.
The election date of 26[th] May 2024 for new Management Committee was announced to the General Body.
However the members present did not want an election on the basis that it may disrupt the building work in progress, wanted continuity and a consensus by a show of hands was accepted.
Towards the end of 2023 in November a short video clip was circulating on social media questioning and threatening to disrupt the forthcoming inter caste marriage at the Bhawan (Temple).
This was reported to the police and the Executive Committee managed to locate and engage with the culprit and the matter resolved successfully.
February 11[th] 2024 saw the resignation of trustee Sat Paul after attending the Joint Trustee & Executive Committee meeting where his role as trustee of Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha & Community Centre Bedford and as Trustee of the British Ravidassia Heritage Foundation was questioned by all the trustees and executive committee members.
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## **GENERAL SECRETARY’S OVERVIEW**
## **MR. PRATHVI RAJ RANDHAWA**
With the inset PV solar panels installed on the new extension to the Bhawan (Temple) building by April 2024, the work continued to the outside structure. The brickwork was completed by July and guttering by August2024.
The underfloor heating system was also installed by October 2024, enabling the internal space (Langer hall) to be created and the second Darbar Sahib Ji (2[nd] Prayer hall) upstairs.
The opening ceremony for the new Darbar Sahib Ji and Langar hall was announced for the 26[th] January 2024.
The beginning of December 2024 saw the long awaited window frames delivered and fitted, which many from the Sangat (Congregation) have commented are very beautiful and that we should upgrade the rest of the building as well.
The alleged allegation against President Jaswinder Kumar from the former President of Bhagwan Valmik Sabha Mr Sam Kalyan was withdrawn after a hearing with the Joint Trustee & Executive Committee Meeting and has been settled amicably.
The rioting across the country did not stop the annual two coach sea side trip that was arranged for Skegness.
Security measures were put in place for the Sangat (Congregation) and the Bhawan (Temple), similar to the Covid -19 period. Extra security was secured from the provisions that the Home Office provided.
Gianni Amarjit Singh Ji had his visa refused back in February 2022, which was successfully appealed and Gianni Amarjit Singh Ji was granted visa in February 2023 and arrived in March 2024, which is now coming up for renewal.
Gianni Rakesh Kumar Ji requested that he wanted to leave a few months early, before the end of his contract in September 2024. The executive committee required a month’s notice after which he left to go back to India.
As you all know Gianni Balvir Singh Ji’s successful application and arrival in early December2024 was timely for the busy religious months of celebrations.
As you are all aware of the opening celebration date of 26[th] January 2025, Das (selfless servant/volunteer) would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sangat for the patience and financial support you have given.
With God’s grace guiding us through these challenging times, sevadars have continued to serve the Communities
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 few 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**
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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.
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## **SRI GURU RAVIDASS SABHA TRUSTEE’S**
Mr Satveer Badhan
Mr Om Parkash Bagha
Mr Hazara Ram Bains
Mr Mohan Singh Bains
Mr Chain Ram Mr Charan Singh Mr Ram Saran Suman Mr Gurchain Singh Sunyara
Mr Harmesh Bangerh
Mr Ram Parkash Bangerh
Mr Tarsem Bangher
Mr Prem Chand Basra
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 Satpal Paul
Mr Surinder Paul
Mr Tarsem Paul Mr Michael Ram
Mr Mohinder Ram Sandhu
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WORK CONTINUES ON THE NEW BUILDING
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## **WORK CONTINUES ON THE NEW EXTENTION BUILDING**
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IN THE COMMUNITY
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**WORK CONTINUES ON THE SECOND DARBAR SAHIB JI & LANGAR HALL**
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## **WORK CONTINUES ON THE NEW EXTENTION BUILDING**
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## **REMEMBERANCE**
**CHATTRI MEMORIAL BRIGHTON**
**SRI GURU RAVIDASS BHAWAN & COMMUNITY CENTRE BEDFORD**
**KEMPSTON MEMORIAL**
**BEDFORD MEMORIAL**
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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.
Tabla & Harmonium classes for children and adults held every Tuesday.
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 2023 - 2024**
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## **ACCOUNTS 2023 - 2024** SUMMARY
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## **ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**
## THANKS TO:
**Bedfordshire Police (Deputy Chief Constable Mr Trevor Rodenhurst and Asst. Chief Constable - Dan Vojzovic) & Community Cohesion Team**
- **Bedford Police Crime Commissioner (Festus Atkinbusoye)**
- **Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Services. (Andrew Hopkinson)**
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- **Vfs Global (London)**
- **Office of MP Bedford & Kempston (Mohammed Yasin )**
- **Royal British Legion, (Robin Thomas)**
- **RAF (Squadron Leader Amir Khan and Flight Lieutenant Pratik Kandangwa & Sergeant Shiv Chand)**
- **British Army ( Warrant Officer ( Ashok Kumar Chuahan MBE)**
- **Chattri Memorial Group (Davinder Dhillon)**
- **Mayor’s Office Bedford (Cllr. Tom Wootton)**
- **Bedford Borough Council & Registrar's Office (Miriam Burgess & Yvonne Prudham)**
- **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** **Mind, Money & Business Ltd**
- **Wootton Garage Ltd**
- **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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