India Gardens, an empowering new state-of-the-art hub for culture, heritage, wellbeing, growth and lasting legacy, is well on its way as the British Hindu charity behind this ambitious project held an auspicious ground-breaking ceremony for it recently.
It marked a significant milestone for the London-based Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (SKLPC) UK, which has been spearheading the £20-million sports and community centre to be created in Northolt, Middlesex. India Gardens, which will take approximately three years to construct, will feature modern facilities designed to inspire and nurture youth sporting abilities.
SKLPC (UK) already boasts a well-established cricket club with seven teams participating in county leagues and over 125 colts in the training academy. It also hosts the largest Asian Five-A-Side football tournament each year, engaging more than 50 teams from juniors to seniors. Their badminton league and volleyball tournament will also be enriched with enhanced facilities and increased youth training opportunities. The community also host the largest Navratri festival in Europe with over 3,000 attendees daily.
Mavji Dhanji Jadva Vekaria, President of SKLPC (UK), said: "India Gardens represents a culmination of our community's growth and aspirations. We are immensely grateful for the support and dedication of our members, whose generosity has made this project possible.
“India Gardens will serve as a beacon of unity, offering a wide range of opportunities, covering sports and education to cultural activities, benefiting not only our members but also the wider community."
The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony, also known as the Shilanyas – a sacred Hindu ritual preceding any building work, inaugurated this significant project last week, attended by representatives from the High Commission of India in London, local politicians and community members. The centre has been meticulously designed to seamlessly blend into the picturesque 18-acre green belt site. The London Borough of Ealing has expressed great enthusiasm for the project, anticipating an award-winning centre that will become a local landmark and a place where the wider community can come together and enjoy its exceptional facilities.
Ravi Dhanji Varsani, General Secretary of SKLPC (UK), noted: "The ceremony of India Gardens signifies a new chapter in our community's journey. We are thrilled to witness the realisation of our vision, providing our youth with modern facilities to develop their talents, and creating a nurturing environment for all age groups.
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“This centre will truly be a testament to the values and spirit of our community."
India Gardens will cater to the needs of all age groups, promoting health, mental wellbeing, and cultural preservation. The elderly members of the community will have the opportunity to enjoy social activities that celebrate their heritage, while families will benefit from a child-friendly environment complete with a playground and a café.
The SKLPC (UK) was established in the UK 50 years ago as an independently financed charitable organisation, aiming to enrich the lives of its members through education, sports, and culture. With a membership of over 25,000 individuals, the SKLPC (UK) is seen as an integral part of British society, making valuable contributions in the realms of business, enterprise, community, and politics.
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To further strengthen their commitment to unity and enhance the lives of their members and the local community, they embarked on the construction of India Gardens complex, which is being funded via generous community donations.
*Info: India Gardens