Welcome ...... to Chotta Sandesh! MKHA starts 2017 off with an exciting line up of events, details of which can be found over the next few pages.

This year is going to be MKHA’s biggest yet! And with the MK50 celebrations this year, the Sandesh Team are busy producing a souvinier edition to help mark the occasion - which coincidently will also be Sandesh’s 50th edition.

For this bumper issue we need your help - can you share your memories and pictures of Milton Keynes and being a Hindu in MK over the past 50 years? We want to hear from you! As it’s a souvenir issue, we also want to include a directory of local businesses and organisations. If you would like to share your stories, be included in the directory, place an advert or publish a message of congratulations to MK- then please email the Sandesh Team at sandesh@mkha.org

Building Project Update - see page 4

SandeshChotta

February 2017

President’s MessageNamaste. As we commence into 2017, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

It is now just over a year since the new MKHA committee came on board and the dedication and hard work from each of them has helped to raise the profi le of MKHA in the wider community and the press. These included the start of Phase 1 of the Building project as well the Cycle ride fund raising activity being featured in MK News.

I would like to refl ect back on some of the new and exciting activities that have helped to strengthen the MKHA community.

• Holi - festival of Colour at our TCC grounds. This was an event that was organised for the fi rst time, in addition to the regular evening Holi fi re, and proved to be so successful that the committee will be making this an annual activity which will be even more fun

• MKHA’s fi rst Katha which ran for 7 days. The Shiv Katha by Pujya Giribapu was well attended by a total of approx. 3,500 people and its success was due to the wholehearted and selfl ess support of the 50 plus volunteers and the Community

• The Pre Diwali Party and Children’s Christmas parties were also new events which were successful so we intend to continue these.

• We had also performed early morning Aarti on Hindu New Years day at the Temple to mark the start of the New Year

The above are just some of the activities in addition to the regular events that have been organised by the hard work and efforts of MKHA Committee in 2016.

As the people of Milton Keynes celebrate 50 years of success, so the MKHA Committee plan on making 2017 a huge and memorable year. Our biggest goal will be to ensure that the fi rst phase of the Building project to build the Prayer Hall will be completed by the end of 2017. We aim to hold a ground breaking ceremony in the Spring.

The MKHA committee work together to serve the community and it gives us tremendous encouragement when we receive positive feedback from the community so please let us know your thoughts. We welcome any new ideas and always appreciate your support whether it is through donations or other assistance. Working together, we promise to perform even better in 2017.

Happy New Year 2017.

Vinod Pankhania

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Our sincere thanks to all the advertisers who have supportedthis edition of Chotta Sandesh

MKHA Education Classes

To book a free trial session or for further information,visit our website or email education@mkha.org

Gujarati

Classes every Friday

At The Hazeley Academy

(Term time only)

Preschool Classes - For Age 3yrs to 5yrs Friday 6.30pm to 7.30pm

Advance Classes - For age 5yrs to G.C.S.E level Friday 6.30pm to

8.30pm

Bollywood Dance

Classes every Saturday

At The Hazely Academy

(Mornings -Term time only)

For Age 4yrs to 18yrs

Harmonium

Classes Every Monday

At The MKHA Community Centre

(Evenings-Term time only)

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GCSE Gujarati Success - Congratulations to Darshan and Ishan!

Ishan Bhakta

I joined Gujarati School in 2010 when I was 8 years old. During my six years at the school, I learnt so much from the basics like numbers, colours and animals to more complex language and awareness of our diverse culture and Hinduism. It was a hugely enjoyable and fun experience as all the teachers were so friendly and always willing and eager to support me whenever I needed any help. This wonderful learning environment has enabled me to sit and pass my GCSE in Gujarati this summer at the age of 14. I particularly enjoyed Assembly time where all the classes come together to sing Pratnas and talk about festivals. Each year we always perform at the MKHA Diwali show which was a lot of fun. One of the highlights at year end, which we always looked forward to, was the school trip to places like Hare Krishna Mandir in Watford and the National Space Centre. One year we even went bowling ... and yes the kids beat the teachers! Gujarati School is a fantastic place to learn about our mother tongue, culture and values and at the same time make lots of new friends. Thank you to all my Gujarati teachers for helping me in my learning adventure.

Ishan Bhakta, Age: 14

Darshan Katechia

“Darshan joined MKHA Gujarati school in 2009. Initially he found it difficult but he persevered and worked very hard and achieved a Grade A in his recent GCSE Exams. He is very grateful for all the support he has received from the dedicated staff who have taught him at Milton Keynes Gujarati School over the last few years.

A special thank you to his mother who constantly encouraged him throughout this period, especially in the lead up to the exams. Going to school has increased his confidence in communicating in Gujarati with his grandparents, family and friends. He has benefited from the cultural aspects of the education as well the academic success.”

Darshan Katechia

Building Project UpdateThe building works start time has been delayed due to “nature” coming in the way. Great Crested Newts are a protected species in the UK and to meet planning conditions MKHA are required to carry out all necessary work to search and remove them from the site. This requires the appointment of a specialist company to obtain necessary approval and removal of newts.

We have now appointed a specialist company and work is underway to prepare the submission to the national body (Natural England). Once approval is given, work can start to remove the newts in the spring with the building work commencing thereafter.

May we thank the community with their continued support and patience as we overcome this legal requirement.

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Eggless Cakes

www.veenascakes.com

t: 01908 230254 m: 07803 166524e: veena.pankhania@hotmail.com

for every occasion

Unique creations for special events.Contact Veena today:

Events Calendar

Regular Events

Maha Shivratri - Friday 24th February - see page 9

Holi - Sunday 12th March - see page 10

Ladies Dinner and Dance - Saturday 1st April - see back cover

Ram Navmi & Hanuman Jayanti - Saturday 8th April - see page 11

Held at the MKHA Community Centre, Ferry Meadows Close, Broughton, MK10 9QY

Aarti and Bhajans - Every Sunday - 7pm to 8pm

Hanuman Chalisa - First Saturday of every month - 2pm to 4.30pm

Check our website and facebook for updates on all our events:

www.MKHA.org www.facebook.com/MiltonKeynesHinduAssociation

Milton Keynes HinduAssociation celebrates

Maha Shivratri24th February 2017 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Tel: 0300 365 1008 www.mkha.org

Join us for an evening of Shiv Pooja,bhajans, kirtans and devotional danceperformances.

Venue:

Conniburrow CommunityCentre & Sports Pavilion

39 Conniburrow BoulevardConniburrowMilton KeynesMK14 7DX

For Pooja Samagriplease contact:

Rikesh Raichuraon 0300 365 1008

Darshana Jagatiaon 07789 850396

Shila Savdason 07845 250745

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Gift Aid, Donations and PaymentsClaiming Gift Aid - We need your help!

Following the successful implementation of the Just Giving platform last year allowing MKHA to take online donations and claim gift aid on those donations, we are pleased to announce that we are now in the process of extending this to be able to claim gift aid on cash and cheque donations.

For donations made by UK tax payers, HMRC will pay an extra 25% of the donation value to MKHA in the form of gift aid.

To be able to claim gift aid, MKHA needs to be in receipt of a completed gift aid form from the donor. Once completed, the form is valid for all future donations until the donor notifies MKHA otherwise.

The great thing is that we are able to make a back dated claim on all donations received in the last 4 years!

To assist us in claiming the back dated Gift Aid and to allow us to swiftly claim it on future donations, we need your help.

We have added a gift aid form to our website which can be accessed from the main menu. If you have made a donation in the past 4 years, no matter how small, or think you may make a donation in the future, please visit our website and fill in the online form - it only takes a couple of minutes to complete and will make a huge difference to MKHA.

Please visit www.MKHA.org and complete the form today!

Change in Online Payment Provider

Now that we are fully setup to claim gift-aid, we have now changed our online payment provider to PayPal and closed the JustGiving account. As well as costing a lot less than JustGiving, PayPal gives MKHA the ability to allow members to buy items such as event tickets online as well as easily make Credit/Debit Card and Contactless payments on the door at our events and over the phone. No more need to bring your pound coins to Navratri!!

Contact detailsAddress: MKHA Community Centre, Ferry Meadows Close, Broughton, Milton Keynes MK10 9QY

Tel: 0300 365 1008

Website: www.MKHA.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MiltonKeynesHinduAssociation

Email addresses:

info@mkha.orgsecretary@mkha.orgpresident@mkha.orgmembership@mkha.orgeducation@mkha.orgvenue_hire@mkha.orgsandesh@mkha.org

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MKHA invites you all to celebrate Ram Navmi and Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday 8th April 2017 at 6pm til 10pm. Bhajan, Kirtan and Hanuman Chalisa Come and celebrate with us. Venue: Cornerstone Church 300 Saxon Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 2ES.

tel: 0300 365 1008 www.mkha.org