The ABPL Group’s Asian Achievers Awards gala is different to all other high profile Asian awards events. At the Grosvenor House September each year, the great and the good, the rich and the famous, meet everyday individuals with ambition.
It’s the only awards event that, in ABPL style, is not a back slapping exercise consisting exclusively of well known faces on stage. There are of course acclaimed faces on stage and in the audience, but sprinkled among the tables are lesser known folk with stories to tell.
Among the audience last Friday was Chetananand Chuttoo, also known as Veda or Chetan. An Indian of Mauritian descent, he has created something pretty within the British armed forces in honour of his late daughter.
Background
Born in Mauritius in 1974, Chetan Chuttoo’s father was a Hindu teacher and Vedic Pandit. Brought up in a Vedic culture, he moved to the UK in 2000. His spell at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy was cut short due to family issues, but he rejoined in 2007 as a reservist.
Chetan is currently a Sapper with 135 Geo Unit, Royal Engineers. He joined it in 2015 after spending eight years with the Royal Signals - 41 PLK Squadron.
“Unfortunately I couldn’t join Sandhurst again as I was over the age limit but it didn’t stop me from pursuing my dream as my great grand parents served for the British Empire in WW1 and WW2.
“Dharma integrates with the values of the British Army; Courage, Discipline, Respect for others, Integrity, Loyalty and self commitment. My utmost goal was to make people more aware of equality, diversity and community cohesion.”
Chetan, along with others set up the Armed Forces Hindu Network, approved by the MOD.
Challenges
Chetan reveals, “Being a veggie was a bit of a challenge. Always I was told, ‘Sorry we didn't know or sorry that's all we have got.’ I even went through tough training and surprisingly they didn't know that I was a vegetarian though I filled out the dietary requirements. It was bad admin and I ended up in hospital. Nobody came to apologise to me for that recklessness. But then I changed my dietary requirements slightly. I felt I can do it for myself.”
Tragedy and the One Voice Project
Chetan had a daughter, Lavna Mansha Devi, who attended Coombe Girls’ School, New Malden. In November 2015, aged 14, she tragically lost her life in a lorry accident while walking to school.
Hearbroken, Chetan created The One Voice Initiative to promote tolerance, understanding and co-operation within the MoD and society. Supported by every faith group within the MoD, the project released a music single in Dec. 2015. There is also a video film to go with it.
The initiative received the support of the RAF’s Principal Director of Music, Wg. Cdr. Duncan Stubbs and of his Royal Marines and Army counterparts. It is supported by Dame Judy Dench, Joanna Lumley and Jim Carter.
“My late daughter figured in the film. She was always with me throughout the project. She was very keen to join the RAF in the future. She was determined to make a difference to peoples’ beliefs and to society. When I lost her, her school praises for her never stopped,” he reminisces.
Working on change
Chetan is helping to make the Armed forces more aware of faith, belief and culture. “I have given my support to LGBT as I host the UK London Pride for LGBT as the only army rep in Vauxhall London.”
In August 15, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Humanist, LGBT; diverse personnel across the three services came together with the musicians of the Band of the RAF Regiment and over 100 civilian singers to record the final movement of a five-part symphony composed by RAF Police Officer, Flt Lt Harriet Tadikonda for the One Voice Initiative.
Future of the Project
Sponsored and supported by RAF Recruitment and Selection, the documentary will be taken to schools. A One Voice Education Initiative will see over 14 schools come together to perform in a massed concert promoting integration. The One Voice Initiative is also working with the Armed Forces Hindu society and several famous folk on the One Voice Rakhi Initiative; the sharing of friendship bands between people of different faiths. The project has also been invited into the prison service to inspire some of those most in need in it.
Jumping Hurdles
Chetan says that there have been fences to cross. “I went through many hurdles in my life; a divorce, then losing my daughter last year. I got over my relationship break down. But losing my only daughter has been tough going and it will definitely take a very long time to get over that.”
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"Losing my only daughter has been tough going and it will definitely take a very long time to get over that."
