Leicester
Namaste and Jai Shree Krishna
This was my first year as president of SPA Leicester ( SPAL ), and I knew that with this post comes great responsibility to ensure that I continue and build on the legacy of my predecessors . I am pleased to report that SPAL is fulfilling our duties with everyone ’ s support . This report highlights some our achievements this year .
Following the 2015 AGM , SPA ( UK ) Senior Sneh Milan 2015 was the first event that was hosted by SPAL . The logistics of the event was managed by us and what a successful event it was ! We had approximately 950 guests and 70 volunteers of all ages . The biggest challenge was to serve lunch to all within 2 hours ! It was achieved within one and half hours . What an achievement ! The volunteers were rewarded with praise .
The SPAL Mahila team ( Kalaben , Ranjanben , Bhagwatiben and Kamuben ) have been actively organising various events throughout the year and these included : a . A day trip to the Oshwal Centre temple and the Hare Krishna Mandir in Watford . Over 100 members had a wonderful time . b . A multi-community Bhajan session including other Hindu communities in Leicester . It was so popular that we are scheduling another event this year . c . The annual Diwali show on 6th November 2015 was a ‘ sell-out ’. The programme included dances and acts performed by our very young to senior members . The hosts were Nishaben and Anandbhai , who managed the show with excellent precision and captured the audience ’ s attention with their style , presentation and jokes . The show certainly engaged the audience and everyone appreciated the efforts of the participants .
The SPAL event team led by Nileshbhai went out of their way to bring a very entertaining evening for all to enjoy . Jamie Docherty performed magic from the stage and at every guest table . Platinum Sounds provided the music and the temperature in the room really turned up when Navin Kundra , our special guest , made a spectacular entrance . Navin joined in with the crowd to give a very entertaining performance with his blend of new and old Bollywood numbers .
One special addition to our calendar of activities was the Children ’ s Workshops for every major Hindu religious festival ( Navratri , Diwali , Makar Sankrant , Holi , Ram Navmi ). This idea was born by one of our members - Nishaben , who explained that whilst she was growing up , she participated in many of these festivals but no one was able to explain in detail why we celebrate these events . As a parent herself , she thought it would be good to introduce our children through these workshops to learn about our religion , values and beliefs . Each workshop is designed around a particular theme that is demonstrated though , play , art , music , dance , drama and storytelling , which is planned with the help and guidance of a primary school teacher and is run by Nishaben and her team of volunteers . Around 75 children between the ages of 5 to 15 attend and many parents also accompany their children to the workshop and join in to help with the activities . It is a very successful fun filled workshop .
SPAL weekly activities includes men and ladies keep fit classes , Yoga , table tennis , the SPAL Cricket Team , Darts , Bhajan Kirtan , and Social Club . These activities have seen an increasing number of members taking part . The biggest success has been the ladies keep fit class , where we have an average attendance of 40 ladies .
The Darts team organised a friendly darts tournament on 23rd February 2016 . 180 people attended the event , including 150 participants . We also had participants from Bolton , Rugby , Loughborough and Coventry SPA branches .
72 vol . 41 | Prajapati Sandesh 2016