Over 600 people aged 8 to 85 walked 10 kms on last Sunday to raise funds for Birmingham’s Laxmi Narayan Mandir and Shree Hindu Community Centre’s ‘Shikhar Project’.
Founded in 1981, the SHCC is the largest South Birmingham Hindu Temple and a hub for religious, cultural, educational and leisure activities for youth and elderly alike. The Mandir and the community halls have been undergoing a process of
renovation for various parts over the years. The Shikhar project seeks to transform the existing dilapidated Victorian church outer façade by putting a Dharmic symbol, a traditional Hindu Mandir. The Walkathon with a target to raise £40,000 is just one fundraising drive towards an estimated cost of £300,000.
A small group of volunteers set off on the walk at the break of dawn, returning in time to organise the day’s logistics, marshals and refreshments for walkers. Taking the fresh air as Birmingham awoke from the extra hour’s sleep, our reporter, Jay Jina, spoke to the Walkathon co-ordinator Ramesh Chauhan about the project. Semi-retired Ramesh paid tribute to the team of over 100 volunteers taking responsibility for publicity, registration, administration of the
sponsorship funds, coordination with public authorities, coaching safety marshals, manning watering points and catering for the post-walk lunch.
The event was graced and flagged off by past Presidents of SHCC, Rasikbhai Thakrar, Prafulbhai Amin and Mahendrabhai Dabhi and Presidents of other organisations including Shri Dhirajbhai Shah of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Tarangbhai Shelat of Hindu Council of Birmingham, Vasantbhai Parikh of BAPS, Hiteshbhai Kukadia of Shri Ram Mandir, Piyushbhai Mistry of Shree Prajapati Association, in a ceremony performed by the Mandir Shastri ji Shri Bhaishankar Joshi.
Puja Chandegra, a young volunteer was quoted as saying, “This fundraiser is not just about the physical façade and beauty of a building; it is the sense of ownership and commitment to a community goal that volunteers have developed, and the Dharmic values that the project has fostered”. There was a spirit of excitement among the volunteers to be feeding a large group as “Sewa and Dharma” for an event at a Centre that has, over the past 35 years, built and led excellent community relations with local residents while keeping alive the culture of Hindus in South Birmingham.
President of SHCC, Mukesh Ladwa extolled the Walkathon management, participants and the volunteers for their support and enthusiasm to make the event a success and advised that by the flag-off time, the target figure of £40,000 had been reached.
