B R ANCH REPORT
Jivanbhai Chhaganbhai Daji,
Bhikhubhai Vithalbhai Mistry,
Narottambhai Vasanjibhai Mistry,
Bhanabhai Karsanbhai Mistry,
Anilbhai Kalyanjibhai Mistry,
Dhansukhbhai Vithalbhai Mistry and
Bhanuben Sukhabhai Suthar.
What has changed? In the
70s, 80s and 90s there was a sense
of unity amongst members. It
was like a big family environment,
Vasudhev Kutumbkam. The passion
and commitment was evident in
those days seems to have slowed
down in recent years. There are
only a handful of individuals that are
passionate and committed in doing
Samaj Sewa.
Modernisation in how we correspond
have helped. Minutes are sent via
emails and we have a website.
Newsletters are published at least
four times a year. Communication
has become a versatile part of the
running of the Samaj.
SPA Centre By the end of 1986
our membership grew to around
900 (200 houses). It was suddenly
realised that we needed our own
property to cater for various
community demands. The first idea
and desire to buy/own a property
was circulated to members in 1987.
As a part of the plan a request for
long term lease was also made to
Birmingham City Council.
In realisation of the committee
dream, Shri Hasmukhbhai D
Mistry spotted an old disused
building which was owned by BSA
(Birmingham Small Arms company),
and was used in the early 70s by
the NHS as a Mother and Toddlers
Clinic. This later became derelict
and was then put on sale. This
was subsequently bought and
refurbished to its present use as our
Samaj Hall (SPA Centre). With the
help of a few committee members,
we also managed to obtain a grant
from European funding to extend
the building, to add a kitchen and a
dining room above.
Many of the members helped
demolish the internal partitions and
provided other labour intensive
assistance. During this period
brickwork and plastering training
classes organised by our branch were
well attended by many volunteers.
Gujarati Verg and Senior
Citizen Group The Prajapati
Gujarati Verg lead by Shri Ambalal
Balubhai Mistry was started on the
first day of the Navratri festival
on the 7th October 1996 with 75
students on the roll.
Gujarati Verg added various other
activities in the curriculum like
group Prathna, Rangoli, Annual Day
Trip and Diwali card competition.
We currently hold the class every
Thursday evening.
The Seniors Citizens Group initiated
by (Late) Narottambhai Vasanjibhai
Mistry actually started in 1999-2000.
This was then carried forward by
Shri Hasmukhbhai Haribhai Mistry,
Shri Rambhai Somabhai Mistry and
Ambalal Balubhai Mistry.
Registered as Charity We
became a registered charity on the
7th March 1994. The Constitution
was adopted on 8th November 1992
and then amended recently on 17th
July 2014.
Obituaries During the course
of the past 40 years we sadly lost
many of our members and the
following committee members:
Jashwantbhai Dayhabhai Mistry,
Dullabhbhai Chhanabhai Mistry,
Parsottambhai Jagabhai Mistry,
It would be nice to return to the
passion of the old days, interest and
unity in Samaj Sewa.
Current Year 2014/15 has been
a very busy year. SPA Birmingham
is committed to actively carrying
out its duty to raise funds for natural
disasters and other charitable
causes where it is felt appropriate.
In March this year, we held a
dinner and dance in aid of Medlife
Foundation to raise funds for the
purchase of two pulse monitors, for
which we raised the magnificent
sum of £6000. A fun filled evening
was enjoyed by all who attended, as
well as the sale of raffle tickets, we
had auctions, donation pledges from
individuals and sponsorship from
members and local businesses.
SPA Birmingham is now partners
with Medlife Foundation. The
foundation is based in Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, India. The centre focuses on
Cleft/Hair Lip operations for children
as young as 3 months old. These
children are from the rural areas
of India whose family sometimes
abandon them on the streets.
We were honoured to host the 35th
Mahila Samelan on the 26th April
2015 in Birmingham. The Mahila
Team worked hard to plan the event.
The topic for the day was Evolving
vol. 40 | Prajapati Sandesh 2015 | www.prajapati.org.uk
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