At the age of 5 years, Rakesh Rajpara migrated to the UK from the Gujarat state of India. Having grown up in England, Rakesh completed his studies in Multimedia Computing at De Montfort University, which led to a career as an IT Technician in the pharmaceutical industry.
Rakesh along with the guidance of devotees like Radhepriyaji from India and Sadhnaben from Leicester are currently trying to spread awareness around the current state of the Holi Yamuna River, as some devotees do not know just how polluted the River is. They have also managed to collect over 10,000 petitions here in UK in the attempt to speed up the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River and highlight their plight on a global scale. The Petition will be presented to the British Parliament shortly
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
In Hinduism, it is considered that where God is present and at same time when your heart is set for selfless service to the divine you are at home. Whether this is in your own home or along the banks of Yamuna River (near Delhi, India) where Krishna performed many divine play.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Money, Fame, Job, expensive pair of shoes, branded suits, premium cars are easily achievable materialistic objects, however even the thought of rejuvenating a sacred Holi River is something I consider to be the greatest achievement.
3) What inspires you?
Truth, empathy, love, no lies, integrity, respect, humbleness, peace, unity, goodness, loyalty, sincerity, genuineness.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
I would class Bhakti (Devotion) Seva (service) to be my true career and the biggest obstacle is being able to do selfless Seva full-time, as we are all engrossed in our day to day activities.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Faith, God, Devotees
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
I think the best part of my role is being blessed to have the ability to help others who are in need. This has a real and valuable positive effect on communities and society in general.
I have also seen that when we do something for our community, we inspire a lot of the youth to also learn and take part which is also a great contributor now and in later generations to come.
7) And the worst?
Billions of Hindus sing “Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga” from our national anthem yet we fail to notice the significance of these words. We fail by continuously allowing toxic man-made waste being poured into a sacred river that was once home to Lord Krishna Devine plays.
8) What are your long term goals?
1. Help rejuvenate and stop millions of devotees from drinking polluted water from the scared Yamuna River (near Delhi, India) consequently improving water quality for natural wildlife throughout the Yamuna River bed, improving living conditions for poor women and children residing near polluted banks, strengthening cultural heritage and cultivating younger generation to see the river in the form as written in our historic scriptures.
2. I would like to support and aid 5,00000 cows in Vraj, India
3. Cremating deceased in the manner laid out by Hindu scripts is challenging in the UK. I would like to introduce a 24 hour cremation facility for the Hindu community in UK, so that the spirit can move on and consequently their loved ones don’t suffer as much.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
If I was Prime Minister, I would introduce an individual points system for each person based on how helpful, loyal, honest a person is in the community. This will benefit a lot of people and to an end to the "hostile" environment surrounding immigration.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Definitely spend time with my father, mother, Lord Krishna and be able to cherish and listen to his beautiful flute.
