40th Ruby Celebrations

“We warmly thank and congratulate all our friends at Geeta Bhawan; also in the Broader Punjabi Hindu community, on achieving forty years of splendid service to the people of the Loughborough area. The contribution you have made to the local area, in terms of its Economy, Family Life and Harmonious relationships, is too great to be measured. Any support that we have been able, indeed privileged, to give, has been returned tenfold. Can we also remember those in your community who have passed on, but who, during their lives, gave many hours laying the foundations of what has been achieved today. May your celebrations be joyous and meaningful, and may your community continue to thrive and prosper for many years to come. With our very best regards,”

Honorary Freeman Mike Jones and Mrs Marj Jones.

“Soon after I came to Loughborough as Vicar of Saint Peter’s, people arrived here from Panjab, and we offered friendship to our new citizens. Hindus and Sikhs, wanting a place to worship on Sundays, used Saint Peter’s recently-formed Community Centre while they were finding premises of their own. Many friendships were made across the three faiths, which are still strong to this day. Then the Hindus were offered the building in Fennel Street. The opening ceremony and installations of the deities were enjoyable, deeply moving occasions. Congratulations to everyone at Geeta Bhavan, Thank you for being such a valued part of our community.”

David Paterson

“Heartiest congratulations to Geeta Bhawan and all members of the Geeta Bhawan on the 40th anniversary from the Gurdwara Sahib and sikh community of Loughborough I can recall the time when we used to share alternatively St. Peters Hall, Loughborough once a month for our religious functions and socials celebrations. Sikh community has always had over the years the support of Geeta Bhawan and vice versa. We had a very strong community relationship and have together many joint social functions, Geeta Bhawan has provided the religious and social facilities to the Hindu community and joined hands with other communities to have better understanding of each other and good community relations in Loughborough. On behalf of the Gurdwara Sahib, Loughborugh, sikh community and myself I once again take this opportunity to congratulate Geeta Bhawan on their historic 40th anniversary and look forward to many more. Many Many congrats again”

Lal Singh Assi on behalf of Gurdwara Sahib,Loughborough LE11 3RU

“We have been in connection with Geeta Bhavan, its members and the Committee for a very long time, since our organisation, Brahma Kumaris started in Loughborough in 1978. We have attended many functions there. It is a place that welcomes everyone generously, with an open heart. The Committee and members have always been friendly and co-operative. With their support over the years, we have given talks there and used the building for ourselves. Situated in the heart of Loughborough, the atmosphere of the place is always warm, happy and accommodating. All the Best for the future! Good wishes”

Brahma Kumaris, Loughborough

“It gives me great pleasure to extend heartiest congratulations to the members, management committee and Hindu Punjabi and Hindu community as a whole for completing 40 glorious years successfully with commitment and sincerity. The community has proved to be worthy members of the local community and deserve recognition for valuable contributions to local faith matters. Religion permeates the daily life of Indians in a way that is almost incomparable in any culture. There are prayers and rituals for every situation in life, however momentous and mundane. By tradition we have shrine in our homes but temple provides a place to be together and do communal worship and celebrate festivals. It provides the facility to get together, meet, discuss and provide religious education for younger members of the community. Geeta is an epitome of all the scriptures. The essence of all the scriptures is found in it. It is called the storehouse of all spiritual knowledge. Geeta Bhawan by definition the house where Geeta resides is a very important place in any town or city. It is a good fortune for the residents of Loughborough to celebrate the 40th anniversary. I wish you all the success for many more years and continuous representation of Hindu community in our local multi-faith matters i.e. promoting peace, harmony and friendliness with other faith communities. I wish you all the best for the future many years to come. God bless you all. Jai Shree Krishna”

Amrat Bava, Hindu Chaplin, Dept. Of Faith and Spirituality, Loughborough University.