Shree Kutch Leva Patel community organised their annual mela at West End Roads, Northolt, London on Saturday 3 October. Organised for the last 40 years, the mela this year was attended by more than 8000 cumuniry members. There were over 400 volunteers, who ensured this event was a great success, proving the power in unity and community cohesion.
A milestone at this event was opening of a permanent children's playground, offering free community lunch, giant kids' zone with fun free activities for children all day. Sponsors for the ground included ABC depot, Burntoak Builders Merchants, Euroken Supplies, Jaysam Contractors Ltd and Vascroft Contractors Ltd.
The whole day cultural programme, which had many youngsters participating, started with a performance by Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Mandir East London, followed by 18 other performances. SKLPC Saturday School had opportunities to perform more than once, including classical dance: Bharatnatyam, and Bollywood numbers. Kutch Social and cultural society put up a comedy play.
President Mavji Dhanji Vekaria, who led the preparations for this historic occasion, in his speech spoke about the merit and strength in togetherness to achieve success. Paying due credit to the Board of Trustees, Management Committee and all external members, who have stood by the President, he said, “One person alone cannot achieve as much as a team can, therefore I want to thank our Board of Trustees, my Management Committee and all external members who have stood by me throughout this incredible journey and collectively worked tirelessly to achieve great strides in the last 3 years.”
Speaking about the children's playground, he added, “The concept and birth of a Permanent Children’s Playground was executed as this year’s major highlight offering activities for ages 2-16 years old. A playground with a capacity for over 80 children to play while giving families the opportunity to come and enjoy the grounds during Samaj, Gaam and private events. I would like to thank everyone who supported us with this vision, without you it would not have been possible.”
Speaking about community services and equal opportunity, the President concluded by saying, “Our Bhuj Samaj and Swaminarayan Temple Bhuj are working together in harmony, combining resources to provide our community the ability to reach the same end goals and objectives.
“Thousands have benefited and thousands of rupees have been saved by not-duplicating activities. We are also trying to follow the same philosophy and hope you can see the rewards here today. This includes the current joint venture project commitment between Willesden Swaminarayan Temple, Our Samaj and the Nepal School on Wheels project for the earthquake victims earlier this year.
“As a community, we must also tackle everyday discrimination and sexism that women and girls face in and outside of our community. I also believe that education is a route for social change.
“I sincerely thank you all, particularly the members for their continued support in progressing forward and continuing our culture and tradition. Our Samaj is moving forward, we have new ideas, we want your ideas and together we can make it happen. All of us pledging allegiance to the Samaj, a strong community unit with a strong sense of identity and preservation of our culture, traditions and heritage. United we stand, together we succeed…”
Delegates included Ealing North MP Stephen Pound, Barnet Mayor Cllr Mark Shooter, CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, saints from Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj viz Bhagvadpriya Dasji and Shastri Ghanshyam Prasadji, were especially present to give blessings.
Aarti was done by Saint Bhagvadpriya Dasji, Sarayu Dasji, Sant Swarup dasji, Vedantswarup Dasji, Kapilmuni Dasji, Bhajan Prakash Dasji, Muktavallabh Dasji, Ghanshyam Prasad Dasji, donors Shyamjibhai Shivjibhai Dabasia from Jeysam, Laxmanbhai Laljibhai Kerai, Devshibhai Karsanbhai Halai, CB Patel, Manjibhai Halai, President, Willseden Swamiraran mandir, SKLPC Patron Shashikant Vekaria (Vascroft). Visrambhai Mayani, President, Swamirayan Mandir, Harrow. Pradip Patel from Indian High Commission was also present and participated in the aarti. They spoke about the importance of unity, culture and heritage. They thanked SKLPC for continuing to build connections with the younger generations.
Guests present included Raj Kohli, Superintendent, MET Police, Navin Shah AM, Trupti Patel, President, HFB, Cllr Ajay Maru, Cllr Manji Kara, Cllr Krupesh Hirani, Cllr Radhaben Rabadia, representative from Kenyan High Commission, Kishor Parmar, Advertising Manager, Gujarat Samachar, George, Chief Operating Officer, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, and officers from Scotland Yard.
Special credit was given to Kanjibhai K Jesani, Kuvarjibhai Devrajbhai Vekaria, Kuvarjibhai Arjanbhai Kerai, Secretary Willesden Mandir, Khimjibhai Khetani, Swaminarayan Mandir, Stanmore, Jadavjibhai Hirani, Secretary, Swaminarayan Mandir, Stanmore, Vinodbhai Jadavjibhai Gajparia, Vinodbhai Halai, Kanjibhai Parbatbhai Hirani, Kailashben Kerai, Shivlalbhai Vekaria, Vijibhai Parbatbhai Vekaria, Kiranbhai Pindoria, Ravibhai Patel, Kalpeshbhai Halai, Pravinbhai Gajparia and teams from Woolwich, Cardiff, Bolton, Harrow, Kingsbury, Willesden Swaminarayan Mandir, for their assistance. Naranbhai Halai, President, Cardiff Swaminarayan Mandir was felicitated.
The event also had 60 stalls from various fields including Health & fitness, Wellbeing, Lifestyle, Printing, Property, Financial, Beauty & Luxury, Marketing, Motor, Cleaning, Fashion, Plumbing and car hire, to name a few.
Photo courtesy: Suryakant Jadva and Ravi Patel
