BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – popularly known as Neasden Temple – has been recognised by the London Faith & Belief Community Awards for its commitment to supporting and empowering women through its annual International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations.
The BAPS celebration of IWD represents its ongoing commitment to women and matters of importance to women, as inspired and guided by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and inspirer of BAPS activities worldwide. The award was organised by the Faith & Belief Forum, an interfaith organisation in the United Kingdom that creates “a safe spaces in schools, universities, workplaces and the wider community where people can engage with questions of belief and identity and meet people different from themselves”.
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The London Faith & Community Awards is a key initiative of the Forum that celebrates creative, generous and vital work of London’s faith and belief communities by bringing together local heroes and shining a light on their inspirational work. The ‘Supporting Women’ category assessed organisations that “recognise the work of projects which support women to make change in their community through providing education, advocacy, friendship and a wider array of services”.
Rena Amin, a lead BAPS volunteer in the UK, shared: “It is humbling to receive this award on behalf of the hundreds of selfless volunteers at Neasden Temple. Mahant Swami Maharaj embodies countless virtues throughout his life that inspire us women to excel personally and professionally, as well as in serving our community and nation.”
The awards ceremony was held last month at the Royal Society of Medicine, where award-winners, recognised projects and esteemed guests enjoyed an evening of interfaith celebration, performances, and networking.
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The Mandir has also been recognised by the London Faith & Belief Forum in previous years. It was presented with an award in the ‘Inspiring Youths’ category in 2022 in recognition of its “Island of Heroes” Children’s Cultural Adventureland at the Festival of Inspiration, as well in 2020 for the nationwide care provided during Covid-19, and also in 2018 under ‘Health and Wellbeing’ for its work with the Vadil Seva Kendra, an elderly welfare centre hosted at the Mandir.
*Info: Neasden Temple
