KALIBARI NEWS
(Registered Charity 286688)
Visit us at: www.londonkalibari.org.uk
Kalibari Centre: 18 Byron Road, Wealdstone, Harrow, HA3 7ST
Issue 5, March 2014
From the President
Dear Kalibari Members and Friends
Welcome to this issue of the Newsletter. Welcome also to many friends and
members who have returned from extended holidays in India. We missed you!
As you know, our principal aim is to develop a community centre. However,
charities such as London Kalibari, set up as an “unincorporated association” (the
legal term), cannot buy property in their own names. This has to be done in the
names of individual trustees who will be personally liable for any financial risks.
To address these problems, a new legal form of charity called a “Charitable
Incorporated Organisation” (CIO) has been recently created by statute which
can buy property in its own name and in which the members and trustees have
limited liability. The CIO is similar to a “Company limited by guarantee” which
would have been another alternative. However, the CIO form has an advantage
in that it only has to report to the Charity Commission and not to Company
House as well which is the case for a Company limited by guarantee.
So the Trustees have agreed to start the process of registering Kalibari as a
CIO. Since the members of the CIO are given additional legal protection, they
have to comply with extra regulations. So the current constitution has to be
changed completely to the one recommended by the Charity Commission.
Once the proposed constitution is ready, we will call an Extraordinary General
Meeting (EGM) of all the members to discuss and adopt the new constitution.
Bank of Baroda (London Kalibari Banker)
London main Office 020 7457 1515
www.bankofbarodauk.com
Local Office –213 Kenton Road, Harrow, HA3 OAA
Telephones – 020 8909 1739, 020 8907 1358
Secretary’s Report: (Highlights)
During the past year we have held Management Committee meetings at the
Kalibari Centre at regular intervals of 5 to 6 weeks.
We organised an Art Exhibition on October 27 and 28 with work of local artists. It
was a great success – more of this in the Cultural Secretary’s report.
Our main annual event, the Kalipuja/Diwali festival was celebrated on Sunday 2
November at Harrow Arts Centre with the usual enthusiasm. The feedback
received was that the event and the distribution of Prasad were well organised.
We had a small Christmas Party on 21 December at the Kalibari Centre with
traditional Christmas food and drink supplemented by Indian specialities. A good
time was had by all.
Treasurer’s Statement:
a) Long term savings - £115,000 in Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India
b) Shorter term savings/cash flow- £13,000 in CAF Bank Cheque Book A/C,
in CAF Bank Gold saving A/c and in Bank of Baroda Cheque Book A/C.
c) Total Approx. £128,000
d) Regular Income & Expenditure: (approx. per month)
Income –
Standing Order £260
Others
£270
Total
£530
Expenditure -
Rent
Others
Total
£500
£100
£600
We would like to see the income and expenditure in better balance so that the
Building Fund grows at a higher rate. So please give generously and consider
particularly if you can give by Standing Order.to bolster the Building Fund.
S & R Autos,
Contact: Sube Bose or Dhiren Radia,
Car service, MOT, Second Hand Cars bought and sold.
23 – 27 High Road, Ickenham, Middx. UB10 8LE
Tel: 01895 635778
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Cultural Secretary’s report
Many events were held during 2013 and the reviews have been posted in earlier
issues of the Newsletter. I wish to mention specially the Art Exhibition that was
held in the Kalibari Centre on October 27 and 28 as this was our first such event
and we wish to thank the exhibitors for their support and hard work. The event
was the brainchild of Anamita Dutta and Rubi Bhattacharyya who were also the
main organisers. The artists exhibiting were, Afroza Ali, Pijush and Rubi
Bhattacharyya, Bindu Das, Anamita Dutta, Malabika Ghosh, Rita Ghosh
Dastidar, Natasha and Babli Majumdar, Joanna Mandal, Tunu Pal and Jayanta
Sinha. Most of these artists did also contribute significantly to the laborious work
of preparing the rooms and managing the show.
The visitors to the event included Gareth Thomas MP, Cllr Bill Stephenson,
Norma Stephenson (Harrow Arts Society), Cllr Navin and Rekha Shah.
Kalibari Regular Acitivities at London Kalibari Centre
1. Monday Yoga Class 11.30 AM, Luncheon Club 12.30 PM,
Talk on Spiritual / Historical subjects 1.00 PM
2. Wednesday Advice Surgery (proposed) 10.30 AM to 12.30 PM
3. Last Friday of the Month with Workshop (proposed) 6.30 PM
4. Full Moon and New Moon Utsav (Celebration) every month
5. Friday yoga Class 10.00 AM to 11.00 AM
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Kalibari and Other Community Organisations Meetings
Calendar (Part Programme) ) Year 2014
April – Sunday 6th – Satyanarayan Puja at Kalibari Centre.
May – Saturday 17th – Cenebrating Vibekananda and Netaji Subhas Bose at
Harrow Civic Centre, Member’s Lounge
June – Sunday 1st - Kalipuja at Kalibari Centre (check alternative date).
Saturday 28th – Picnic at Hatfield Forest
July - Sunday 20th– Annual General Meeting at 15.00 at Kalibari Centre
October – Thursday 23rd Kalipuja/ Diwali at Harrow Arts Centre
December – Christmas Party , Date to be decided
Two other variety music/dance performance events have been proposed – the
date and the venue are to be decided.
State Bank of India, (London Kalibari Banker),
20 College Road, Harrow, HA1 1BE,
Tel 020 7454 4300 (15 King’s Street, London EC2V 8EA)
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London Kalibari wishes to thank the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
London Kalibari Life Members.
Members from the Community.
Harrow Council for Grants and Accommodation.
Harrow Council for Small Business Rate support
Harrow Art Centre
Recent large contributors (above £500 and giving by Standing Order))
Cllr Navin Shah, Wealdstone Labour Hall for arranging the rental of the
Kalibari Centre.
8. a) Mr Tony McNulty Ex-MP of Harrow East, Labour Party and
b) Mr Gareth Thomas, MP of Harrow West, Labour Party for their
support.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Councillors of Harrow Council for their support and encouragement.
Sponsors of Kalibari events & activities.
Ms Tanuka Saha, of N. Saha & Co. Chartered Accounts
Sri Robin Ray, Kalibari Priest
Our local artists, Arijit Chakravarty and Rishi Banerjee
Kakali Misra and Sajali Roy
Prof. Bhaskar Dasgupta and Dalia Dasgupta
London Sharad Utsav, Chhandam and Panchamukhee
Please note: Our intention is that when we have acquired a permanent centre, all
contributions will be acknowledged, and those contributing significant amounts will
be specially named (such as on a board or on a plaque).
Donations: Please make cheques payable to London Kalibari. For Standing
Order, amount to be sent to Bank of Baroda, Kenton Branch, 213 Kenton Road,
Harrow HA3 0AA, Account No: 91001547, Sort Code: 60-95-57
Management Committee Members:
Dr Sudin Mandal, Mr Ajit Ghosh, Mrs Aparna Mukherjee, Cllr Mrinal Choudhury,
Mrs Krishna Ghosh, Mrs Rama Choudhury, Mrs Jayati Das, Mr Kanu Roy, Mrs
Debjani Sengupta, Mr Anirban Mukhopadhayay, Mr Sandip Choudhury, Mrs
Aparna Gupta, Mrs Sikha Choudhury and Mrs Babli Majumder
Pick & Save, www.indiangrocerymarket.co.uk
Email: picknsaveltd@aol.com
Indian Supermarket. All Indian Food Items Stored.
202 – 204 Kenton Road, Harrow, Middx, HA3 8BX
TeL: 020 8907 8880
Car Park available at the back
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MINDLESS
Why does everything become so difficult these days?
Everything seems to be changing. Places that I once shopped at regularly, are no
longer there. The pharmacy has changed hands and is now a Starbucks; if only
coffee would cure my headache, I would not have gone looking for Paracetamol.
The young girl behind the counter stared at me and then insisted they have been
at this spot for the last two years. Then where has the pharmacy gone?
The reason why I had the headache in the first place was because I could not find
the dress I had set my heart on. After locating the section at long last, I found
what I was looking for, but could not fit into it. I know I am a size 16, but could not
squeeze into one. The shop assistant sweetly smiling suggested I try a size 18,
but why should I? I gave up.
Buying the pair of shoes that I so wanted was also an uphill struggle. Having
found the exact colour and design I liked, and having searched high and low for a
size 6, I gave up and slumped on to a seat. Once again a young assistant
helpfully suggested I try the size 7, but why?
My headache was by now getting worse? It seemed everyone else knows me
better than I do myself. I now had had enough and desperately wanted to get
back home, and settle down to a cup of tea and a couple of Paracetamols. I
needed to rest my aching feet.
It was at this point I went looking for the medicine at the pharmacy. But, well that
too was not possible. I gave up!!!
Walking towards the car park I opened my handbag and looked for my car key.
Oh Hell! Where is it? I tried all pockets, even emptied my bag on the bench near
the car park, but no! It was not there. I racked by brain and then decided to
retrace my steps. By now I was exhausted, but had to push myself and went back
to all the shops I had visited. But no luck! What am I to do? Should I call my
husband and request him to come down with the duplicate key. But then he would
(continued on next page)
Churchills Pharmacy, GP Prescriptions Served.
207 Kenton Road, Kenton, Harrow, Middx, HA3 0HD
Telephone: 020 8907 3511
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(continued from last page)
have to use public transport? Dreaded to think what his reaction would be, I
hesitated. Then I had a sudden thought - I must have left the key in the ignition of
the car. Oh God! I have done this in the past and my husband had warned me
that, this would be very tempting for an opportunistic thief. Oh Lord! please don't
let this happen. I ran as fast as I could back to the car park, BUT the car park was
empty. Oh no! please God no!, don't let me lose my car. I started to sob. The
security guard ran up to me. Between sobs I told him I could not see my car
anywhere. Poor man, he was totally confused and said that under his watch only
a few cars had come in and had gone out. He was sure he had not seen a grey
Honda Jazz parked. I was by now furious, and finding my mobile called the police,
ignoring all protestations from the car park attendant.
The police arrived in no time. One of the officers started to take down the details,
the time of my arrival, the car registration number, my home address, shops I had
visited, etc. They spoke to their Area Station Office, then started quizzing the
attendant. By now I was a bundle of nerves. Having now spent the major part of
the day, and feeling faint, I decided to call my husband at last.
Why does he not answer? Is he not at home? Come on pick up the phone PLEASE!!! . "Hallo!". Thank God, I babbled, I told him between my sniffles that the
car was stolen. There was a short pause, then my husband said, " But I dropped
you at the shops this morning". "WHAT"!!! Taking a few moments to compose
myself I said "please come and pick me up". After a somewhat longer pause my
husband replied, "I shall, as soon as I have convinced the police, I have not stolen
the damn CAR".
Debjani Sengupta
Salon Sleek, www.salonsleek.co.uk and www.sleekacademy.com
Hair and Beauty
3 & 17 Kenton Park Parade, Kenton Road, Harrow, HA3 8DQ
Tel: 020 8909 9633, & 020 89099393
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London Kalibari Cummunity Centre Project
London Kalibari (Reg charity 286688) www.londonkalibari.org.uk is an
organisation representing the Hindu Bengalee Community in the UK. It is a
democratic organisation with a constitution and is a charity registered in 1982. It
has raised funds for the Community Centre Project through many social and
cultural activities.
Since February 2012 we have acquired a (small) rented accommodation at 18
Byron Road, Harrow and we have been using this place as our Interim Kalibari
Centre to hold our regular activities.
The objective of the Kalibari Community Centre project is to acquire or develop a
(larger) permanent Community Centre to provide the facilities for the following:
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Social, spiritual and religious functions
Family counselling services
Music, dance, drama, art, literature and language classes
Yoga, meditation and self-improvement classes
Meeting facilities particularly for retired people and very young families
Library facilities
The rented place we are currently using is too small to accommodate the
numbers we are facing for the popular activities and there are no on-site parking
facilities. A larger and more suitable property is estimated to cost around £1
Million. Efforts are being made to obtain external funding (e.g. from the lottery
fund), but a significant proportion of the money will have to be raised from the
community. London Kalibari has a Building Fund of just over £120,000 and
pledges of some £50,000 have been received from Kalibari members.
The premises will be available to other local groups for their social, cultural,
artistic and educational uses. The centre will facilitate and encourage cultural and
spiritual exchanges between the Hindu Bengalee Community, the larger Indian
community and other local communities and thus provide cultural and spiritual
enrichment for the wider society.
Ragamama / Ragasaam www.ragamama.com & www.ragasaam.com
First Choice Caterers in Indian & Bengalee Wedding Reception
Northolt Industrial Estate T: 0845 009 8000
Email;sales@ragamama.com
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Associated Organisations:
London Sharad Utsav
London Sharad Utsav (LSU) is a recently formed Bengali Social Organisation engaged in
cultural, social and sports activities.
For further information: please visit www.londonsu.org, contact Anirban 07717 005344
Sri Aurobindo Society (UK)
A Registered Charity. The address is 149 Eastcote Lane, South Harrow, HA2. It is open to
the public. On Saturdays and Sundays it is open for meditation from 6.00pm to 7.00pm.
Contact Telephone: 020 8422 9920
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
Bhaktivedanta Manor, the Hare Krishna Temple (Watford) at Dharam Marg, Hilfield Lane,
Aldenham, Herts, WD25 8DT. It is a Registered Charity. It is accessed by car from A41.
Website: www.krishnatemple.com, contact telephone 01923 851000
Ramkrishna Vedenta Centra
It is a Registered Charity. It is situated in a little village called Bourn End at Blind Lane,
Buckinghamshire, SL8 5LG. The centre can be accessed from M40, either Exit 3 or Exit 4.
Tel: 016285 26464
Aid India Forum
Reg Charity No. 262210
Helping social and educational projects in India. Contact telephone 020 8907 5946
Gaudiya Misson (UK)
A registered charity celebrating Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Address:
27 Cranhurst Road, London NW2 4LJ (near Willesden Green Tube)
Contact : www.gaudiyamission.com, tel 020 8452 2733
Panchamukhee Group
A registered charity based in Harrow, engaged in cultural and social activities.
Contact: www.panchamukhee.org, contact Sourav 07894 465953
Dr Sudin Mandal
President 020 8864 8717
Mrs Aparna Mukherjee
Secretary 020 8422 2663
Cllr Mrinal Choudhury
Treasurer 020 8907 5946
ICICI Bank www.icicibank.co.uk Tel: 08081 31 41 51 (free Phone)
Local Branch: 29 College Road
Harrow, HA1 1BA T: 020 8515 2286
This Newsletter is printed by Wiseworks 020 8863 8704
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