Faith and community leaders gathered at Bradford City Hall for the official launch of the Bradford Hindu Council.
The Bradford Hindu Council (BHC) has been actively representing over twenty Hindu organisations across Bradford District, over a number of years and has now formed as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Friday 18 November saw a packed room celebrate the official formation of BHC. Chairperson Mahesh Mistry told the audience that one of the main aims of the BHC is to ensure that the voice of Hindus in Bradford is heard, and that Hindus are consulted on matters which directly and indirectly impact on their lives. In addition, BHC aims to promote and lead initiatives which positively contributes to the local community and intends to bring together the collective strengths of the Hindu community for benefit of the wider society.
Bradford Lord Mayor, Cllr Martin Lowe, one of the many guests at the launch congratulated the Hindu community for their contributions to the city. Paying credit to all the work done by the Hindu community during the pandemic the Lord Mayor said: “It has been heart-warming for me to read about the huge amounts of charity work that BHC has carried out since it’s creation. In particular for supporting our schools, our care homes, our food banks and making meals for our key workers, delivering PPE for all places of worship and working in harmony with charities and organisations helping victims of domestic abuse. I am sure everyone here will wish the BHC a successful future”
Chief Constable John Robins, of West Yorkshire Police, addressed the room via a video message. He said: “It’s only by working together in partnership that we can achieve the best possible support for those who need us the most. Not just statutory bodies like the police, council or health, but individual groups like you, individual for the communities. People like the Bradford Hindu Council – I wish you every success.”
Bradford Council Leader, Susan Hinchcliffe echoed the sentiments of all the speakers and thanked the Hindu community for their contribution to Bradford district. She went on to commend the charitable work and said that the selfless service by the BHC is ‘something we can all learn from’ and what is required as the cost of living crisis continues to impact more people across all communities.
She went on to say: “In Bradford I often talk about a city of faith and faiths. We have members of other faith communities here, by working across faiths and with other faiths, that’s how we establish ourselves as a city that is open and diverse and strong for everybody who wants to be and live here.
“I notice on your logo you have working in unity and that is just so important for us. Thank you for making that part of who you are and what you do.”
Dr Geetha Upadhyaya, who has been with the BHC since inception, added to the list of speakers. She said: “The most important thing for the future of the council is the very word, they’ve used – working in harmony. Harmony is such an important thing, not just for your physical and mental, or your neighbours, but for the world and that harmony is going to lead BHC to many more glorious years of work. As you can see that they [BHC] have worked with every community. We are here not just as Hindu’s. It just so happens that we are born as Hindu’s, but the real thing is, it’s for everyone. Goodness has to spread everywhere.”
More information about the Bradford Hindu Council can be found at www.bhcouncil.com
