Indian Gymkhana Club London hoisted a Reception for their President Professor Nathu Ram Puri on Friday 28th August 2015 for receiving a CBE (commander of British Empire) from Her Majesty the Queen for his services to business and to charities in UK and abroad.
This award comes within months after Professor Puri received Pravasi Bharatiya Saman Award 2015 on 9th January 2015 from the Vice President of India Shree Mohammmed Hamid Ansari
Mr Puri is a philanthropist and an activist who work towards bringing education to the poor people in India.
The Reception was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner Dr Varinder Sharma, and by leaders of business community and members of the club.
Mr Rami Ranger, Chairman of Sunmark Ltd and the Vice Chairman of Indian Gymkhana Club welcomed the guests on behalf of the club and spoke of Professor Puri’s achievements both in business and for his charitable work in India and UK. Dr Rami Ranger also spoke about Professor Puri involving him both with the club and London South Bank University
Mr Joginder Sanger Chairman of Trustees of the Indian Gymkhana Club also spoke about Professor Puri’s achievement and about their earlier days in UK
The Deputy High Commissioner of India Dr Varinder Sharma spoke of Professor Puri’s involvement with the poor people in India and his contribution to the society He spoke about Professor Puri’s involvement with Independence Day which has become an annual event for the Indian community
Mr Sutantar Soni, Hon. Secretary of Indian Gymkhana Club spoke of Professor Puri’s involvement with the club and informed those present that Indian Gymkhana Club was on the brink of bankruptcy and was saved by the generosity of Professor Puri and Lord Noon. He not only contributed towards improvements of the club but also as the President of the club comes all the way from Nottingham to attend the meeting for 2 hours and go back. That is what he classed as dedication by Professor Puri.
During Professor Puri’s tenure as President for the last 16 years the club has become a vocal point for hockey, cricket, football and Keep Fit classes for Over 50s.
When Hounslow Council stopped grants towards running Keep Fit classes, Professor Puri informed the committee that they should not let these 250 people be left without exercise and agreed that the club will meet the cost of these classes which were in the region of £30,000 and the club is still continuing providing these facilities to the resident of Hounslow.
An successful appeal for donations toward building 14 residential rooms for visiting sports personnel was made by Anil Puri, Chairman of Purico and the club hopes to complete this work by early next year.
Seema Malhotra MP also spoke about knowing Professor Puri and his achievement in business and his contributions to the charities. She said Professor Puri is an iconic figure in the Asian community
Ruth Cadbury , local MP thanked Professor Puri for his involvement with the club and praised him for his leadership to bring the club in forefront in the community
Professor Puri in his speech thanked all those present honouring him and he spoke about his involvement with the club when Lord Noon and Rajesh Patel requested him to become the President of the club. He is pleased that this unique Indian institute will be celebrating its centenary next year He has a vision to make Indian Gymkhana Club a world class sporting facility and socio cultural hub for the community
Professor Duo from Nottingham University spoke about Professor Puri and his involvement in Nottingham with various charity works.
Speaking to Asian Voice, exclusively, Gareth Davis, the Chairman of three FTSE listed companies said, “It was a great pleasure for me to attend the Dinner at the Indian Gymkhana Club to celebrate the award of the CBE honour to my good friend Prof Nat Puri.
“I first met Nat in 1986 when he bought a paper business from the company for which I worked. I was working and living in Nottingham, quite close to Nat’s home and we became firm friends. We shared many evenings discussing our mutual interests of Cricket and Business, – usually with a few arguments along the way about the merits and otherwise of the various Test cricket teams, followed by a frame of snooker which I usually won!
“I was really very thrilled and delighted to learn of of Nat’s award of the CBE. He has been the deserving recipient of many honours and much recognition down the years and the CBE is a terrific accolade and , again, so richly deserved.
“Nat has been a very successful businessman and entrepreneur over several decades and he has always demonstrated the desire to share that success with his many charitable contributions especially in the UK and India. His financial assistance and just as important, his intellectual contribution to Charities, Education, Disaster Relief and Sport have done enormous good at local, national and international levels.
“I was so pleased to congratulate him personally and it was a great pleasure to see Nat and his wonderful family enjoying this really special occasion.”
