BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

Working towards a

closer community

Events for the year ahead –

at a glance

March April May June

Holi Gita Gnan Bhajans Antakshari

Chaitri Navratri Sea-Side Trip

Hanuman Chalisa Chiquitos Meal

Yagno Pavit

October November December

Aso Navratri Diwali AGM

Havan Childrens Christmas

Party

See overleaf for more details on the upcoming events. If you are interested in organising an event for the community events. please

contant HarendraBhai.

The Secretary’s Message

Dear Members,

This is BSNL’s second Newsletter which contains reports on three functions we have held so far. It also has details of our programmes arranged for you in March, April, May and June.

I would like to thank the convenors sub-committee members and volunteers for each of the three functions for their hard work and in delivering excellent programmes.

We are planning to send future Newsletters by e mail. If you wish to receive your newsletters by email then please complete the consent form included in this newsletter and return it to us. This will save considerable amount of expenses incurred in preparing and sending the newsletter by post.

BSNL has and will be taking pictures at all BSNL’s functions. These pictures are loaded on to BSNL Website and BSNL’s Facebook pages If any member does not want his or her picture taken then please ensure you advise Gunwantbhai Dave or Harendra Raval in advance.

It has been agreed that we will include in our newsletter any announcements members may wish to make (i e engagement, wedding, educational achievements, recepies, any useful articles, bereavement etc.). Please send your details by email to Hon Secretary Harendra K Raval at secretary@bsnl.org.uk. BSNL reserves the right to include these details in the Newsletters.

Harendra K Raval, Hon Secretary and Trustee-BSNL

Contact Us

For General Enquiries:

Harendra Raval 07956 428 050,

secretary@bsnl.org.uk

For BSNL Hall Hire:

Text on 07483 904 979 or e-

mail at hall@bsnl.org.uk

For Membership Enquiries:

Hitesh Purohit 07882 571 234,

membership@bsnl.org.uk

For BSNL Cultural Club:

Trupti Joshi 07947 807 147,

cultureclub@bsnl.org.uk

For BSNL Elders Group:

Vinod Mehta 07770 730 202,

eldersclub@bsnl.org.uk

For BSNL Abhilasha:

Anjana Thaker 07949 830 273,

abhilasha@bsnl.org.uk

For BSNL Young Brahmins:

TBA

Visit us on-line

Stay in touch with all the latest BSNL news by visiting our website (www.bsnl.org.uk) and our facebook pages (login to facebook and search for Brahmin Society North London).

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

Rang Barse Holi Celebrations - Wed 23 Mar

BSNL will be celebrating the popular Holi festival at the Hall this year again.

We will start with a short prayer, before lighting the Holika bonfire.

Everyone will get a chance to present their offerings and to do darshan.

This will be followed by a short session of Dhuleti (colour play).

Day Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Time 7.30pm onwards.

Location BSNL Community Hall, 128 East Lane, Wembley,

HA0 3NL

Please be aware that clothes will get dirty and wet!

Contact Trupti Joshi on 07947807147 or Hitesh Purohit on 07882571234 for further details

888888888888888888

BSNL’s Abhilasha

invite you all to come & celebrate

Chaitri Navratri!

Where? Our BSNL hall

When? Sun 10th Apr 2016 – 2:30 – 6pm!

Don’t hesitate call Anjanaben Thaker (Event Convenor) on 07949

830273 if you have any queries.

Upcoming Events

Gita Gnyan Yagna

BSNL are proud to launch monthly Bhagavad Gita talks, based on the teachings by the internationally-renowned Saint His Holiness Pujyashree Bhupendrabhai Pandya, at our hall. First talk: Date: Sunday 3rd April 2016, 1pm to 2.30pm Topic: An introduction to the Bhagavad Gita: the difference

between spirituality and Materiality. Speaker: Dhruv Chatralia,Satkarma Humanitarian Youth Awakening Mission (SHYAM). We look forward to welcoming you.

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

108 Hanuman Chalisa – Sat 23 Apr at BSNL

Join us for an uplifting and spiritual experience as we

celebrate the noble and brave Hanuman Ji!

Programme timings: Starts at 9.30 am to 5pm (approx.)

(Lunch and Mahaprashad will be served)

Please contact Nilima Raval on 07719325173 for further details.

Samuh Yagnopavit (Janoi)

With the blessings of Padmabhshan Mahamandaleshwar

Swami Satyamitranand Giriji Maharaj, The Leicestershire Braham

Samaj is honoured to announce a Samuh Yagnopavit (Janoi) programme!

When? 9th April 2016

Where? The Shree Prajapati Samaj Hall, Leicester.

All parties and participants (Batuks) are invited to indicate their interest

at the earliest to participate in this auspicious occasion.

Contact:

Dipak Acharya (07813 774651/01162660627)

or Rashmi Vyas on 07783 276524

BHAJAN SANDHYA – Sun 01 May 2016, 2pm – 4:30pm

After the last session of bhajans on 6th February 2016, you probably need another

booster of Bhakti Rus, hence we have arranged another Bhajan Sandhya, followed by

light refreshment.

We look forward to welcoming all those who attended last time as well as those who

missed out, and the afternoon timing will mean that our Elders can take part too -

daylight means no night vision or travelling problems!

So, family, friends, members and non-members – come along and make this another

bhajanful Satsang!

If you wish to bring PRASAD you are most welcome.

For any queries or if you wish to sing some bhajans please contact

Kailashbhai Thaker on 07500903498

(by latest 06 April to see if you can be accommodated).

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

BSNL'S ABHILASHA PRESENTS

ANTAKSHARI Join us on Saturday 4

th

June 2016, at our hall, for a fun filled

evening of words, actions, dancing…the sky is the limit!

Programme of events:

Light Dinner: 6:00PM TO 7:30PM

Singing & Musical Masti: 8:00 PM

Ticket Price: £5 PP incl. food (available in advance only)

For further info & tickets, contact:

Anjana Thaker -07949830273 or Harsha Bhatt - 07909050120

Calling all youngsters - aged 18 to 30!!!!!

Aged 18-30? Join us for a meal at Chiquitos, Leicester Square, and get to know the other

Young Brahmins in our samaj!

Come along and become part of the Young Brahmins group. Together we can plan future

fun events, integrate more into our samaj, our culture and add some youthful vibrancy!

Date and Time: Saturday 4 June 2016, 6pm

Location: Chiquitos Mexican Bar and Restaurant, 20-21 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LE

Contact: Mohini Yagnik - 07975 513199 or Jeel Pandya - 07958 616431

BSNL does Bournemouth!!!!!

Jump on board the coach and allow yourself to be whisked away

for a sunny (hopefully!), sandy day at the seaside on

Sunday 28th June 2016!

The coach leaves from our BSNL carpark at 8am and leaves

Bournemouth at 6pm (bringing you back to the BSNL carpark by

around 8:30pm) – enjoy the hours in-between with friends,

family and fantastic food…bring out the theplas and puri’s and

much more…just like we used to do!!!

To book your ticket, (£12 adult, £10 children – 12 years and under),

Contact Trupti (07947 807 147) or Harsha (07909050120)

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

The BSNL Subgroups

BSNL ABHILASHA

Abhilasha is the ladies wing of BSNL.

Ladies who are BSNL members (any age) are welcome to register and can

enjoy Abhilasha activities.

To register simply send me (Anjana Thaker) a text or message via

Whattsapp on 07949830273 with your name and BSNL membership

number.

I have set up a Whattsapp group chat for Abhilasha ladies to send out

reminders and advance information of our activities.

………………………………

Upcoming events organized by Abhilasha for all BSNL Members

Chaitra Navratri Garba– Sunday 10/4/2016 at BSNL Hall

2-5.30pm Garba, Dandia Raas, Ramjaniu and more…..

5.30-6.00pm Thaal and Arti.

6-7.30pm Mahaprasad

Please feel free to bring Prasad for Thaal.

……………………………………..

The ever popular

Antakshari is back on Saturday 4/6/2016

At BSNL Hall

6-7.30pm refreshments

8-11 pm Antakshri- words, actions, dancing…sky is the limit

Tickets £5 pp including light dinner

Tickets will be sold in advance only.

...................................................... Watch out for future Abhilasha activities for ladies only

Cookery demonstration, Games, masti and laughter,

Talks and discussions, Indian Dancing etc

Donations welcome for all our events

Please contact Harshaben Bhatt 07909050120 or Anjana Thaker 07949830273 for

both of the above events.

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

The BSNL Children’s

Culture Club

Dear Members,

Culture Club (CC) is a fun club for all BSNL children aged between 5 and 18.

We meet every Saturday (10 sessions per school term), between 2 and

5 pm, at BSNL house.

During our sessions, children learn about:

Hindu and Gujarati culture, history and religion, during ‘topic time’

The Gujarati language

Singing (bhajans, garbas, aartis, lok-geet, etc)

Dance (traditional, folk and fusion bollywood styles)

Yoga and keep-fit

in a relaxed, friendly environment.

This term, our topic has been ‘The Mahabharat’, which the children have been getting

to grips with through interactive, tailor made sessions.

As well as learning children gain friends within their own community and

have fun.

The club is run by a very dedicated, voluntary group of samaj mum’s (Nutan, Hetal,

Zareen, Gayatri and Neha).

We charge £20 for 10 weeks (3 hours each week), which goes towards paying for our

resources as well as a snack, which children enjoy together each week.

Do encourage your children to join us!

For more information on the club, to enrol your child or to offer

your services, please contact

Trupti (07947 807147) or

Nutan (07963 796748)

- we look forward to hearing from you!

Jai Shree Krishna,

Trupti Joshi, Bsc (hons), P.G.C.E.

ખ

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

The BSNL E-group

We have now moved upstairs to more spacious and better ambience hall which has enabled us to

increase our membership numbers from 75 to 120. We have taken 45 new members from our

waiting list in the last 2 months. As many members are away on holidays or sickness we have

used this slack attendance to adjust to this new environment and have made several changes for

the benefit of our members. Even with this bigger space we have reached "House Full" situation

again with 120 members.

Members are enjoying their Tuesdays with us - a lovely day out for them - full of fun,

entertainment, song and dance, delicious lunch, and lots of new and old friends. eGroup is very

popular and a huge success story for BSNL that we are all very proud of and pleased that we are

able to serve our elders who were the pioneers of BSNL back in the day.

Following the successful eGroup holidays in Ireland in 2014 and Crete in 2015 - and to satisfy

demand - we have organised a luxury cruise for our eGroup this year. We had limited number of

cabins available which got fully booked as soon as we announced this holiday. However if anyone

else of similar age group and mind set would like to join us please do let me know asap and we

will do our best to try to get extra cabins, flights, etc.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our lunch donors - who are mostly our

members, their families and their friends. If anyone wishes to donate lunch for our eGroup then

please let me know. The cost of lunch is normally around £260. We are also very fortunate to

have so many volunteers who take pride and get satisfaction in helping us run our eGroup so well.

My great big Thank You to all of them also and to our Board of Trustees for their on-going

support.

Vinod Mehta

BSNL Trustee & eGroup Chairman.

PORTA CABIN REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Following the refurbishment of our main building upstairs hall we have now embarked on a project to replace our porta-cabin with a brand new 2 storey building. This building will have a similar size foot print as our existing porta-cabin but will be reoriented to create more utility and parking space in the middle and will be purpose built for use by our samaj. It will provide another stream of rental income also. The estimated cost of this project is around £500,000 (the same as the cost of a standard semi-detached house in London). We have almost half of the required money. The other half will need to be raised in the form of loans, grants and donations. The current status of the project is planning stage. Our architect, Mr Amrishbhai Patel, is getting a site survey done at present following which he will submit our plans to Brent Council Planning Department for their approval. Hopefully the Council will look at our application more favourably now that they have built a Primary School right next to our site and also put yellow lines right across our site ignoring their own objections made to us in the past. We will keep you updated on progress. Vinod Mehta BSNL Building Project Team

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

What a fantastic start we’ve had to2016! Three events already, and we are just into March! Visit our facebook pages to see all the snaps from these events.

Bhajans – Saturday 6th

Feb 2016

Bhajans (convenor Kailash Thaker) at BSNL Community.

BSNL certainly has got talent!!! Our members, together with BSNL Music group sang a variety of lovely Bhajans that were enjoyed by all.

The evening concluded with delicious light refreshments – body, mind and soul satisfied!!

Thanks to all volunteers, participants and members!

Ice Skating – Sunday 22 Feb 2016

Ice Skating (Convenor Trupti Joshi) at Sobell Leisure centre, Haringey.

More than 60 young and active members enjoyed an afternoon on the Ice ring without anybody breaking their bones…we’re all ready to do it again!!

Mahashivratri Pooja – Monday 7 Mar 2016

Mahasivratri Pooja (Convenors Vandana Joshi and Nilima Raval) at BSNL Community Centre.

We had 24 Yajmans for the Pooja. Priest Shree Madhava Toranvelu conducted a very auspicious pooja.

Thank you to all yajman, donors, volunteers and trustees.

Recent Events Gone By…

Newsletters by e mail

In order to save on postage costs we are moving to sending our Newsletter electronically by e mail.

If you would like us to stop posting and only send the Newsletter to you by email then please complete the attached form and return it to either Hitesh Purohit 1 Pinner Park Avenue North Harrow HA2 6LG or hand it to any Trustee during any of the functions. Your co-operation and assistance in reducing costs is greatly appreciated.

BSNL, 128 East Lane, North Wembley, HA0 3NL.

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Newsletter 2 - Mar 2016

BSNL Newsletters by e mail

To Hitesh Purohit Name …………………………. 1 Pinner Park Avenue Address:………………………. North Harrow …………………………………. HA2 6LG …………………………………. Post Code ……………...…….. Membership No …………….

Dear Hitesh,

As advised in the Newsletter I would like to receive all future Newsletters and any relevant communication from The Brahmin Society North London by e mail at the following e mail address.

My e mail address is ………………………….……………..

Reconfirm e mail address:…………………………………..

I undertake to advise you immediately as and when my e mail address is changed.

I also undertake to advise all my family members of BSNL residing with me the receipt of the Newsletter and

any relevant communication from The Brahmin Society North London.

Yours sincerely

Signed ………………………………….. Date……………………………

(Name)