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SankirtanFest Project Management Office
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_Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare_ Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com **�** _Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare_ |**Opening letter from SankirtanFest’s Project Management office (‘PMO’)**|**3**| |---|---| |**Objectives and activities**|**5**| |**Achievements and performance**|**6**| |**Financial review**|**7**| |**Structure, governance, and management**|**9**| |**Reference and administrative details**|**10**| |**Name of PMO members**|**11**| |**Declarations**|**13**| 2 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com **�** ## Opening letter from SankirtanFest’s Project Management office (‘PMO’) Dear devotee, We hope this finds you well and under Lord Krishna’s grace. We trust that you are reading this because SankirtanFest has, in some shape or form, assisted you in your journey towards the Lotus Feet. May our service to you be impactful and effective and we thank you wholeheartedly for your support. If this is the first time you are reading about SankirtanFest, we welcome you and please do get in touch should you have any queries at: info@sankirtanfest.org, or please do visit our website for insights into our work at: www.sankirtanfest.org. ## **How it all started** One afternoon in January 2022 - two years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic - six community members received a call from a fellow community member. The community member was excited to speak to them and share their vision for the UK Sankirtan community. They wanted the UK to experience and benefit spiritually from a first of its kind event: a national Ashtaprahar Sankirtan Music Festival in 2022. From that initial impassioned phone call, they were all fully onboard, engaged, and committed to make this event a success and assist in propagating the principles ordained by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So, on 17 January 2022, they hosted their very first Sankirtan community 'Town Hall' and with Lord Krishna's grace and blessings; as well as the utmost support from the UK Sankirtan community: 'SankirtanFest' was born. ## **Our purpose** SankirtanFest is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation and our purpose is to advance the Hindu religion in the UK through the medium of Sankirtan. A spiritual artform that originates back to 15th century Bengal, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ('Mahaprabhu' - who is revered as a Saint in the Sankirtan community) took part in Sankirtan on the streets of Bengal, and reconnected the masses to their love and devotion for Lord Krishna. Through the grace of Lord Krishna, his blessings, and taking Mahaprabhu's principles as our 'modus operandi' - through our events and activities - we want to, for the benefit of the public: - Propagate Mahaprabhu's principles involving the utmost devotion to Lord Krishna, the respect of all living beings, and to accept all peoples irrespective of caste, creed, gender, sexual orientation, and social standing. - Propagate Mahaprabhu's Sankirtan movement through Sankirtan festivals and activities, such as: 3 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** - Ashtaprahar, Mahasankirtan; - Uday Astha Mahasankirtan; and - Dance, drama, music, recitations, talks, and debates. - Encourage and assist with the development of Sankirtan artists and the artform in general. - Introduce Sankirtan devotees to key ‘flavours’ of Sankirtan during music festivals and events, such as: traditional UK groups, groups from Bengal (West Bengal and Bangladesh), as well as contemporary and modern forms of Sankirtan and youth Sankirtan. - Develop the future Sankirtan community through hosting Sankirtan based workshops to further the Sankirtan artform. But in addition, we also want to host Sankirtan festival management workshops to ensure future generations have the capability, know-how, and confidence to deliver Sankirtan festivals themselves - Promote the wellbeing aspects associated with partaking in Sankirtan. - Ensure that those in need (especially the homeless) in close proximity to our events, do not go without food and we will be distributing wholesome prasadam to them - Encourage and engage the youth of the community to come forward and partake in projects, which not only helps SankirtanFest be progressive and innovative, but provides an avenue of support for disadvantaged youth. ## **Annual report** This report summarises the achievements of SankirtanFest for the financial year and its financial position. We thank you for your time and patience and we hope to continue our seva to you. In your humble service, SankirtanFest PMO. 4 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** ## Objectives and activities |||| |---|---|---| ||SOPR reference|| |Summary of the purposes of
SankirtanFest as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|To advance the hindu religion
for the benefit of the public by
means of the Sankirtan artform.| |Summary of the main activities
in relation to those purposes for
the public benefit, in particular,
the activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts|Para 1.17 and 1.19|The main activity for
SankirtanFest in financial year
2022 was organising,
managing, and hosting a large
scale Ashtapahar Sankirtan
festival in London which
included a 24 hour non-stop
Sankirtan marathon. A first of
its kind event in the UK. The
festival was open to all
members of the public.
Through the delivery of this
festival, SankirtanFest was
able to deliver against its public
benefit mandate to propagate
the hindu religion through the
Sankirtan artform for the
benefit of the public.
This was also the financial year
that SankirtanFest commenced
its voluntary work to help food
banks meet their objectives
and feed those in need. Our
Seva Crew (volunteers)
attended food bank
distributions premises on a
quarterly basis.| |Statement confirming whether
the PMO (members of which
are also trustees) have had
regard to the guidance issued
by SankirtanFest on public
benefit|Para 1.18|PMO confirm that they have
regard to the guidance issued
by SankirtanFest on public
benefit.| 5 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com **�** ## Achievements and performance |||| |---|---|---| ||SORP reference|| |Summary of main
achievements of SankirtanFest,
identifying the difference
SankirtanFest’s work has made
to the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a whole.|Para 1.20|The main achievements of
SankirtanFest in the financial
year includes the successful
delivery of:
●
“SankirtanFest Raas
Lila”, a grand Sankirtan
event held at the
beautiful Oshwal
Centre in Potters bar,
showcasing and
inspiring the
community to think
bold for the future and
serving the community
from Portsmouth to
Edinburgh..
●
Purchase of Project
Mangal exhibition
stand and delivering c.
200 presentations
covering c. 2,000
devotees that attended
Rass Lila, covering the
concept of Project
Managal, why the
community needs it,
and what the
community can achieve
by working in unity.
●
Commencement of
Mangal Unplugged
initiative, which looks to
host intimate kirtan
gatherings, around the
UK..
Youth involvement also saw a
significant increase, with the
Seva Crew (volunteers)
continuing to comprise > c.
70% within the youth
demographic.| 6 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** SankirtanFest also continued to arrange for the successful attendance of specialist Sankirtan groups from India. This enabled disadvantaged groups within the UK community to experience the beautiful Sankirtan that would have been sung during the time of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu; otherwise not possible to them to experience in-person. ## Financial review |Financial review||| |---|---|---| |||| ||SORP reference|| |Review of SankirtanFest’s
financial position at the end of
the period|Para 1.21|SankirtanFest’s receipts for the
year was: £93,000 and its
expenditure for the year was
£88,000 rounded to the nearest
£1,000..
New reserves generated of
£6,518 from Project Mangal
activity and fully ring fenced for
Project Mangal.
All receipts were generated
from public donations and
SankirtanFest PMO would like
to extend its thanks to all
supporters for making the first
of its kind for the UK
Ashtaprahar Sankirtan
possible.| |Statement explaining the policy
for holding reserves stating
why they are held|Para 1.22|SankirtanFest has in place a
policy of holding reserves,
where possible, in its bank
account to apply to future
activities and initiatives of
SankirtanFest.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|£10,249| |Reasons for holding zero|Para 1.22|The reserves were exhausted| 7 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** |||| |---|---|---| |reserves||in the delivery of the Raas Lila
event where the event was
held in beautiful grounds,
setting the scene for Project
Mangal and inspiring the
community to think bold. In the
light of this, PMO consider
utilisation of reserves to be a
strategic investment towards
meeting the charity’s core
objects.| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|Not applicable| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about
SankirtanFest continuing as a
going concern|Para 1.23|There are no uncertainties that
PMO have identified in relation
to SankirtanFest continuing as
a going concern.| 8 Website. www.sankirtanfest.o Email." sankirtanfes tnail.com SankirtanFest CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIANO AND WALES Evet)ts Society iu Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe perlod To 0110112024 3111212024 Section A Receipts and payments Restrided nds Endov•Trnt funds nds Total fvnd$ Last year lolts reareJ¢ e re•re51¢ A1 Recelpts Proieci Ntsngal Festiwls 18 4918 73￿81 11.1S0 Sub to¢al(Gross income for ARI ,1$0 an Inves s*es. Isee tal￿e Sub tolal 518 nts 13$9 17,12 503 $$M07 FeSts￿l$ 17.125 Sub toial A4 Osset and Investrr*nt Sub total 87.125 88A84 910 Net of receiMs/(payment$) A5 Trabsfers bets*en frjnds Cash lunds last ￿ar end Cash fund5 this yearend 91 976 Website. www.sankirtanfest.o Email." sankirtanfes tnail.com SankirtanFest Section B Statement of assets and liabilrties at the end of the period Llnrestricted Restricted funds funds EndovmEnt nds Categorles )r￿[￿st£ to npar*slE B1 Cash fund5 Ca$h 075 9￿74 Totsl cash fund5 675 *874 UnrESirlthd funds *n*•rnst£ Re¥triGted funds to nèarestE funds Delai15 Detai15 IoF•kna 83 Investment assets rertw IoF4knarfr B4 Assets relained forthe hdtity'5 415¢ Whw due Details B5 Liabilitses Swd ty orn Orth￿ tr￿tee& on Surotura Print Name Date of roval Amit C*v 3111012025 10 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** ## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** ## **Report to the trustees/** The Sankirtan Event Society **members of** |**On accounts for the year**
**ended**
**Set out on pages**|31st December 2024|**Charity no**
**(if any)**|1199114| |---|---|---|---| ||||| ||Above||| - I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **31 /12 /2024** . - **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._ **Date:** 19/11/2025 **Signed: Name:** Tom Wilcox **Relevant professional** FCIE **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** Counterculture Partnership LLP 11 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** 23 St Leonards Road Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN40 1HH ## **Section B Disclosure** Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). **Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . 12 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com **�** ## Structure, governance, and management |||| |---|---|---| ||SORP reference|| |Type of governing document|Para 1.25|Constitution| |How is SankirtanFest
constituted?|Para 1.25|Unincorporated Charity| |PMO selection method
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of any
person or body entitled to
appoint one or more PMO|Para 1.25|PMO are selected on the basis
of their passion for the
furtherance of Sankirtan and
SankirtanFest, as well as their
capability to assist with the
management of large scale
Sankirtan projects.| 13 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** ## Reference and administrative details ||| |---|---| |Charity name|The Sankirtan Events Society (UK)| |Other name the charity uses|SankirtanFest| |Registered charity number|1199114| |Charity’s principal address|68 Avenue Road, Birmingham, B14 7TG| 14 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com ## **�** ## Name of PMO members |Name of PMO members|| |---|---| ||| |**Name of PMO member**|**Dates in office**| |Amit Dev|January 2022 - not resigned in FY| |Gitoshri Purkayastha|January 2023 - not resigned in FY| |Mita Dey-Singh|January 2023 - not resigned in FY| |Nandita Chakavarty|January 2023 - resigned in FY| |Raj Das|January 2022 - not resigned in FY| |Shilpi Baidya|January 2022 - not resigned in FY| 15 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com **�** ## **Corporate trustees and those holding title to property belonging to SankirtanFest** ● Not applicable ## **Funds held as custodian trustes on behalf of others** Not applicable 16 Website: www.sankirtanfest.org Email: sankirtanfest@gmail.com **�** ## Declarations PMO declare that they have approved the PMO report above. Signed by SankirtanFest PMO: Amit Dev, PMO Member and Trustee Signature: Gitoshri Purkayastha, PMO Member and Trustee Signature: Mita Dey-Singh, PMO Member and Trustee Signature: Raj Das, PMO Member and Trustee Signature: Shilpi Baidya, PMO Member and Trustee Signature: Date: 31 October 2025 17