Hindu Samaj (Swindon) representing Hindu faith, community and culture partners in building and promoting community cohes

1. Hindu Samaj (Swindon) representing Hindu faith, community and culture partners in building and promoting community cohesion Established 1973 Charity No: 1108534 Samachar Vol 10 Issue 04 Date: September 2010 www.hindusamajswindon.co.uk HINDU SAMAJ BUILDING PROJECT Introduction from the President Dear Member, Namaste. The purpose of this newsletter is to address a subject which we have raised previously and which requires the input of all Hindu Samaj members. That subject is the Samaj establishing and owning its own building to serve the needs of the Hindu community in and around Swindon. You will see from Vijaybhai’s note below that a feasibility study has been underway since the last AGM. We now want to take this subject forward in a more robust manner and we need the help of all Samaj members. We intend to conduct further investigations into this project, continue with research and invite constructive debate. We can also learn from organisations similar to ours who have successfully dealt with the same issue. Once we have completed a full and thorough investigation into a Samaj owned building we will only go ahead if there is an overwhelming majority of members in favour of the project. We will need members to assist with research and taking the project forward on all levels. It will need everyone’s support, advice, suggestions and positive input to ensure that we have a proposition that works and works well into the future. Members and well wishers will also be able to contribute financially and the project team will be identifying various methods for any contributions to be made. This is an exciting project and a huge challenge for us all. It is also a tremendous opportunity from which the whole community will benefit and we will keep you fully posted. Meena Ladwa President Hindu Samaj Swindon Hindu Samaj Building Project Sub-Committee You may recall that at the last AGM, the present committee was mandated to carry out a feasibility study for the Samaj owning its own premises. To this end, we are pleased to report that substantial amount of work has been done towards achieving this goal, however considerable amount of work is still required. Until now, your committee members have been busy with this project and have put together a document in a form of a Q & A to provide you with answers to the most common questions regarding the Building Project. If you have other questions then we invite you to email this over to the Secretary at hindusamajswindon@hotmail.co.uk and we shall do our best in providing you answers or use your questions in putting together a further document for the benefit of all. Vijay Tanna. On behalf of HS Building Project Sub-Committee Meena Ladwa, Rambhai Karavadra, Vijay Tanna, Chan Chitroda & Dinesh Patel

2. Building Usage: • Current Usage and Venues: • Youth Group (weekly BALGOKALUM) at Drove Primary School • Ladies Keep-Fit (Wed & Fri) at Drove Primary School • Volley ball (weekly) at New College • Mitra Milan (Weekly) • Hindu festivals (Maha Shivratri, Holi, Ram Navmi, Hanuman Jayanti, Janmashatmi) at Punjabi Community Centre / Drove Primary School • Navratri (eight evenings) week days at Community Suite & weekends at Sports hall of The Link Centre • Varity Show (bi-annual) at a convenient venue. • Bhajan-Kirtan / Satsang meetings – members homes or Hall Hire • Weddings – private hall hire / PCC • Other possible Usage (depending on the Venue): • A meeting place for all groups, Social and Cultural activity • Regular Sports Activity • Regular Youth Activity • Regular Activity for the Elderly • Wedding Hall • Permanent Hindu Cultural Centre • Other possibilities depending upon type and size of the building