The celebration saw key figures from SBI UK and the local community come together to commemorate the occasion.
The State Bank of India (UK) Limited (SBI UK) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Southall branch in a grand ceremony held at the branch premises. The event was graced by the presence of customers, VIP guests, and dedicated SBI UK staff, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s history of serving the Southall community.
The celebration saw key figures from SBI UK and the local community come together to commemorate the occasion. Mr Sudhir Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, SBI UK, expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards the customers and staff who have been integral to the branch’s success.
On the occasion , Sharma said “This 50-year journey is a testament to the enduring trust and support we have received from our esteemed customers and the relentless dedicat of our staff. As we celebrate this golden jubilee, we reaffirm our commitment to providing innovative banking solutions and unparalleled service to our customers. Our goal is to continue building on this solid foundation and to remain a trusted partner in the community’s future successes.’’
Ms. Sakuntala Sanyal, Executive Director & Deputy CEO, SBI UK, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the bank’s strategic vision and community-centric approach. She said, “The Southall branch’s half-century legacy reflects our unwavering commitment to catering to the financial needs of the Southall community. We are immensely proud of this achievement and eagerly anticipate many more years of successful partnerships and growth.”
The event was further honoured by the presence of Mr Virendra Sharma, Former Labour MP for Ealing Southall, who has had a long-standing relationship with SBI UK. Sharma praised the bank for its exemplary service and unwavering commitment to the Southall community.
He added, “I have witnessed first hand the positive impact that SBI UK has had on our community over the years. Their dedication to providing reliable and accessible banking services has been invaluable, and I appreciate their ongoing commitment to Southall. SBI UK’s presence has been a cornerstone of stability and support for countless individuals and businesses.”
The 50th anniversary celebration was not only a moment to reflect on the past but also an opportunity to look forward to a promising future. With a renewed commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,
With pomp and gaiety Ganesh festival was recently celebrated in Greater Manchester, Rahul Laud does some ‘pandal’ hopping to collect pictures and report
Leading Indian banks in the UK, State Bank of India UK and the ICICI Bank UK and upcoming restaurant Saffron’s Spice participated actively to support the Ganesh festival in Greater Manchester. Both the banks – ICICI Bank UK and SBI UK offered financial support at the Ganesh festival held at the Gita Bhawan temple and at the North West Marathi Association’s events respectively.
Since the 10th of September – day of the arrival of Ganesha various activities were held at different locations in the Greater Manchester region. Both temples in Manchester Shree Radhe Krishna Mandir and Gita Bhawan hosted the celebrations to invite and celebrate the festival with large attendance. People thronged to temples as it was their first outing – event during the ongoing pandemic.
North West Marathi Association (NORWEMA) one of the oldest community organisations for Marathi speaking people mustered huge support and they had to close admissions to follow health and safety rules of the local Council. Devrat Khumbhojkar, Head NRI Services from SBI UK travelled with his family from London to join the Norwema celebrations. He was joined by Riddhi Seth, who currently heads the Manchester Branch.
‘To engage actively with the NRIs in the UK’’ and celebrate 100 years of the SBI in the UK was the prime objective of these bank managers. NORWEMA Chairwoman Purnima Herlekar enthusiastically explained the Seniro Citizens activity and the Marathi language school started by NORWEMA. In addition to the traditional puja performed by frontline NHS consultant Dr Mukul Acharya, and a cultural programme with local artistes enthralled the audience. West Midlands India Partnership Director, Ghanshyam Nabar was spotted among other dignitaries at the event.
The Marathi, Telugu, Malyali, Tamil and Kannada communities also gathered together on different days and celebrated their annual Ganesh Utsav 2021 at the Gita Bhavan Hindu Mandir in Manchester.
Everyday beginning 10th September the venue at Gita Bhawan temple experienced Ganpati Pooja which was followed by a string of amazing performances by the community members, informed the temple priest Shyam Sundar Sharma. .
With the right mix of devotional songs, bollywood songs, upbeat solo and group dances as well classical dances, the event brought together the full flavour of the culture and diversity of India.
The turnout of around a daily average of 400 people created the required energetic vibe. Manchester dwellers – as well as everyone around the country and the globe – had missed the chance to welcome Ganpati Bappa with a public event in 2020; and so it came as no surprise that there was a sense of unbridled joy amongst those who attended as well as those who performed.
Every evening the energy in the hall was at its zenith – The main cultural event was concluded with the pleasant and devotional vibrations of the evening Aarti. Manchester based restaurant Saffron’s Spice owners Shroffs – Sonal and Kanti hosted Prasad for the entire Marathi community celebration and offered generous raw materials contributions to other communities on other days.
The Tamil community offered Pooja and Abhishek to Lord Ganesh. Abhishekam was performed by little children followed by adults.
This was followed by Chenda Melam by Manchester Melam group, which is a percussion drum like instrument traditionally played in Kerala temples. This vibrant rhythm added to the strong echo of divinity. Melodious Bhajans sung by little children as young as 6 years onward were an attraction. Similar traditional devotional singing was done by the families of the Kannada and Telugu communities.
The daily Prasad offered a diverse variety that is prevalent in Indian cuisine.
The Hindu Religious Society at the Gandhi Hall led by its new Executive Committee President Namrata Bedi also geared up to rise to the occasion and encouraged local talent to celebrate the festival and presented cultural performances at the Gandhi Hall. Shree Radhe Krishna Mandir priest Krishan Joshiji offered daily pujas and kept the sanctity of the festival with traditional aartis.
Members of Shree Bharatiya Mandal, Indian Association Tameside also celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi from Friday the10th of September to 19th September. The festival was celebrated by offering prayers to invoke Ganesha and residents of Ashton Under Lyne adopted River Mersey as their sacred river Ganges. The Rivers Etherow, Goyt and Tame flows through Ashton Under Lyne merging as River Mersey in the centre of Stockport.
It is reported that in the past over 2000 people from Birmingham, Leicester, Derby, Bolton, Bradford, Oldham and other parts of the North to Seacombe ferry in Liverpool for Viserjan (final immersion of the deity) of Ganesh.
This year due to Covid19 restriction the Viserjan was confined at the Ashton Temple with far fewer devotees than normal.
Sajda Festival UK is geared up to launch its season 3 on Sunday 18th July. Presented by the State Bank of India UK with Cultural Partner Nehru Centre, London the festival is slated to present eminent artistes through the whole year and pay homage to different legends, reports Shubhadrika Sen ( Blogger: www.trekkersoftheeast.com)
SAJDA FESTIVAL UK Season 3 presented by SBI UK will be inaugurated on 18th July, 2021, by Shri Amish Tripathi, storied author and Director of the Nehru Centre London, Cultural Partner of the festival.
Amish Tripathi, celebrated author and Diplomat, Director of Nehru Centre London
The Festival will be launched with a ghazal mehfil a vocal concert by multi-faceted singer Gayatri Asokan and reach out to a global audience. The Third edition will witness artistes of international repute paying homage to Bharat Ratna Awardees –Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Satyajit Ray- while observing their centenary celebrations. A prominent line up of renowned personalities has become Patrons who have showered immense support include: Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Craig Pruess, Esme Ward, and Bhawani Singh Shekhawat. Over the years several artistes who have attached themselves to the cause of performing arts and music like Geetha Balsara, Saleel Tambe, Nihira Joshi Deshpande, Anil Kaprekar and Anandi Iyer have agreed to be volunteer ambassadors of the Season 3.
Later this year Season 3 will enthral audience with the voice of Pt. Jayateerth Mevundi who will pay tribute to the Pt. Bhimsen Joshi commemorating his birth centenary. Satyajit Ray cinema will be also showcased with talks and his world of music will be explored with a tribute to Ustad Vilayat Khan Sitarist who was his music director.
Gayatri Asokan, Vocalist par excellence
In its SEASON 3 (2021-22) the SAJDA FESTIVAL will have a unique online and offline repertoire of Indian artistes, building and strengthening further the engagement with Indian diaspora, global artistes and upholding the tradition of keeping dying art forms alive. Following its success over the past years with events in Manchester and the official launch of Season 1 (Offline events in Manchester and London) and Season 2 (online), SAJDA FESTIVAL is geared up to launch its Season 3 with a comprehensive one-year-calendar of events. The entire festival will be offered on a complimentary basis to music lovers, like-minded individuals and corporates.
Recently the Festival hosted a Covid Relief convert and presented an instrumental session of Mohan Veena with Ananda (aka Aanand Sundaram).
Rahul Laud, Curator and Producer, Sajda Festival
Rahul Laud, Festival Curator and Producer in a recent interview at the BBC Manchester said: “The official launch is on the 18th of July and it will be wonderful because this year we are paying tribute to none other than the shahenshah of ghazals, Mehdi Hassan. This happens to be his 94th birth anniversary and we have found a young ghazal singer from India, Gayatri Asokan, wife of the sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee. A very well-known playback singer, who has moved her focus to the genre of ghazals since the past five years.” Trained over the years in Carnatic, Hindustani classical music, ghazal and Thumri, Gayatri made her debut in Indian playback singing under the music direction of the great Ravindran Master. She has won many coveted awards including the Kerala Government State Award for best playback singer (2004), Amrita Film Award and World Malayalee Council Award.
SAJDA FESTIVAL UK was officially launched in 2019 with five successful events (comprising vocals, sitar, harmonica, inspirational music, photography and poetry) held in Manchester and London and a tribute to Bollywood songs of yesteryears in the city of Mumbai; followed by the online Festival last year with 4 shows (vocal, sitar, harmonica and flute). It aims to pay tribute to Unsung Heroes from different genres, dying art forms and musical instruments which are seldom played or not heard. SAJDA also offers its homage to world class artistes honouring their contribution to the musical world. The rationale is an outcome of the Indo-UK cultural year that was announced by the Prime Ministers of both nations – the UK and India – Ms Theresa May and Shri Narendra Modi respectively. Since then, the Festival has engaged with the Indian diaspora and acted as a Cultural Living Bridge between the two Nations.
The Festival has received overwhelming support from donors, sponsors, patrons and community organisations since its first edition. Eminent sponsors for the upcoming edition include Success Coach Nilesh, NRI Legal Services UK, Advance Science Technology and Management, Kolumbus and Sri Sri Tatva.
International Media like Asia Lite, Global Indian Stories, Here and Now 365 and BHF Radio have helped the Festival pick up worldwide momentum through its support. Organisations like Manchester Museum, Akshaya Patra UK, VOICE Manchester and CCITS have joined hands in promoting the cause of Indo-UK Cultural Interaction through this annual Music Festival.
The Festival strongly believes in social engagement and also donates to charitable causes.
Please visit the official Festival website for all event related updates- www.sajdafestival.com
