OCHD and Dorset Race Equality Council: announcement of partnership…

One Community Hampshire and Dorset (OCHD) is very pleased to announce that it has signed a partnership agreement with our friends Dorset Race Equality Council (DREC).  This partnership will be of major benefit to supporting the voice of our Dorset & BCP area BAME communities regarding issues and needs.  DREC has a proud record of supporting our pan-Dorset area ethnic minority communities proactively and in regard to challenging racism, and to this will now be joined the unique work in these directions of our OCHD, including on joint OCHD – DREC projects to benefit the community, as well as regarding consultations that impact on BAME communities welfare, experiences and perspectives.

Above, image from recent meeting of OCHD CEO, Director and Lead Founder/Initiator, Pritheepal Singh, OCHD Director and Co-founder Alan Mercel-Sanca, and DREC CEO Nathalie Sherring, outside the DREC office in Boscombe, Bournemouth.

Local government elections: OCHD congratulations

OCHD is very pleased to provide our fulsome congratulations to Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry (left) and the new administration of Southampton City Council: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-57033712

We look forward greatly to working with the new Council Leader (Cllr Fitzhenry) and his fellow councillor colleagues, including new Portfolio Holders, in supporting all of the people of our great city, our BAME/Diverse Communities, and all sections of society and those from all walks of life.

There are exciting opportunities for Southampton, including the City of Culture 2025 initiative, and our OCHD initiated and led in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s nationally important Memorial Southampton project in which all faiths & beliefs of our World War 1 and World War 2 heroes are recognised and celebrated.

Audience with the Ambassador of Nepal to the UK

On Monday 10th May an audience with H.E. Mr Lok Darshan Regmi, the new Ambassador of Nepal to the UK, Ireland, and Malta.  Attending the meeting facilitated by the Embassy in regard to the UK Nepal Friendship Society (UKNFS: whose official patron is H.E. the Ambassador), were UKNFS Chief Executive Officer Alan Mercel-Sanca (also a co-founder and Director at OCHD), in conjunction with and leading on representing, OCHD CEO and lead founder Pritheepal Singh, Mr Hiradhan Rai (UKNFS Chief Advisor), and Mrs Rojina Pradhan Rai (UKNFS Brand Ambassador, and a Vice President of the NRNA UK).

The transcultural education and multicultural learning promotion work and values of OCHD were highlighted by Mr Singh and commended by H.E. Mr Regmi, and especially the bringing of communities together for the shared good, including reference to our Sikh and Gurkha communities on their place in British military history.  Jointly UKNFS lead Alan Mercel-Sanca and OCHD lead shared with His Excellency the commitment both organisations have to furthering National Curriculum reform and content.

The meeting was a very successful one.  Above we include some formal images from this special and auspicious occasion including the gift of Nepali tea by His Excellency, to Mr Singh.

Congratulations to our new Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner…

OCHD is thrilled to share the news of the election of Mr David Sidwick as Dorset PCC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-57029913.

David has been in direct meaningful contact and dialogue with our organisation from its inception, and as visitors to our website will recall David’s important Businesses & Crime Survey — https://www.ochd.org.uk/ochd-proposed-bcp-council-area-bame-community-supportive-crime-hate-crime-consultation-proposal-conservative-dorset-pcc-candidate-businesses-crime-survey/ — with OCHD support for this important initiative being augmented by valuable research & solutions orientated dialogue and discussion around the major topic of BAME SME’s experiences of race & related ASB, and how the latter needs to be tackled by a new and comprehensive BAME communities & multi agency approach.

We are delighted to be able to engage with David on some very important BAME community support and engagement issues and needs, which we have discussed with Mr Sidwick who shares our perspectives on these, and our own OCHD approach on support to all sections of society and backgrounds.

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On the 12th May, OCHD CEO, Director and Lead Founder Pritheepal Singh in conjunction with OCHD Director and co-founder Alan Mercel-Sanca, had a very helpful meeting with our new DPCC.  The discussions were valuable and very fruitful.

 

OCHD is looking forward to working with David in support to our BCP and Dorset BAME communities, and for all sections of society and all backgrounds and walks of life in regard to cross-cutting anti-ASB subjects, and policing/Dorset Police support.

 

UK Government House of Commons formal apology for historic…

The UK Government has made through the Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence (that OCHD CEO Lead Mr Pritheepal Singh, and UK Nepal Friendship Society Lead Mr Alan Mercel-Sanca met at the 2020 VJ Day 75th Commemoration at the National Arboretum and had brief but valuable discussion with on our BAME and Sikh and Gurkha contributions to British military history and related place of Britan in the world over the past 200 years), an historic formal apology.

BBC News ‘Government apologises over failure to commemorate black and Asian Troops’ link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56840131

This on the infamous ‘airbrushing out’ often in very brutal forms in for example former British Empire ‘colonies’ / Commonwealth countries War Graves ceremonies [nationals of fallen War Heroes in the given countries & lands being buried in mass graves at the borders of White, UK nationals fallen War Heroes carefully tended cemetaries where the names of these fallen heroes are recorded on ubiquitous/iconic white stine tombstones.

We salute the UK Government for this formal, much needed apology for it allows the heroic BAME War Dead to now rest easy in their graves, and provides a long overdue wake up call to many such as those still comfortable with an outdated National Curriculum.

OCHD is very pleased to share that we have provided via email the BBC News link to our friends/contacts in Southampton City Council (addressed to advised officials, and with city councillors enthusiastically formally supporting copied in) in a context support follow up to our OCHD in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s nationally and globally noted and enthusiastically supported Sikh Memorial Southampton statue & educational initiative.

The latter, in so many ways is at the crest of the tide of history and is a nationally important BAME communities and overall UK community Multicultural 21st Century Britain initiative.  We are delighted to share how great is the extent of Southampton City Council councillors (including, some time ago now the key important and greatly appreciated formal emailed support of the Council Leader, Cllr Christopher Hammond for this wonderful nationally important initiative).

OCHD in conjunction with the UKNFS announces launch of…

OCHD in conjunction with our friends at the UK Nepal Friendship Society (UKNFS) is very  pleased to support that we will be launching in the week commencing Monday 5th April a much needed information resource developed by the UKNFS in conjunction with OCHD, to assist current and future international students studying or coming to study in the UK.

As many viewers of this website will be aware in 2020 the OCHD with strong support from the UKNFS supported hundreds of South Asian students at three South Coast universities (and beyond) that experienced trauma and mental health distress and many practical study and day to day living issues as a result of Covid 19 impacts.

The information resource addresses with practical information provision solutions many of the issues the international students referred to above, encountered.  Thanks to the OCHD with UKNFS support, we found that the three universities referred to took as a result of our two organisations’ interventions many actions to address the issues involved.  On these, we will provide reference to an updated version of this news article when the information resource is formally launched in the second week of April, including on the Dorset areas that have supported and contributed to the information resource, and international students engagement and/or support stakeholders that have received the resource.

OCHD will be providing the resource in the near future to our Southern Hampshire area (Southampton and Portsmouth) internatiional students communities and relevant support stakeholders.

Sangat TV becomes Official Sponsor for the Sikh Memorial…

One Community Hampshire and Dorset (OCHD) is very pleased to announce that Sangat Television has become the Official Sponsor for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project.

OCHD wishes to record through this announcement its great appreciation to Sangat TV for its offical sponsor support for this nationally important Sikh community supportive project, which accords with the vision and purposes of Sikh community profile and support that are at the heart of the Sangat Television’s mission.  You can learn more about Sangat TV at http://sangattelevision.org/

Sikh Memorial Southampton Press Release March 2021 news outreach…

OCHD is privileged to share the following UK, India & international news link responses to the Sikh Memorial Southampton Press Release of early March 2021 concerning design finalisation (https://www.ochd.org.uk/press-release-southampton-sikh-memorial-statue-design-approved/):

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-56250914

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/plans-for-statue-of-only-indian-sikh-turbaned-pilot-of-world-war-i/articleshow/81370109.cms

https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/national/19128586.pioneering-fighter-pilot-feature-memorial-sikhs-killed-wars/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9317425/First-Indian-fighter-pilot-Royal-Flying-Corps-World-War-One-immortalised-statue.html?ito=native_share_article-bottom

https://sikh-news.com/region/news/sikh-memorial-planned-for-southampton-city-centre-10649

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sikh-fighter-pilot-hardit-singh-malik-memorial-in-uk-to-honour-indians-who-fought-in-world-wars-2385682?amp=1&akamai-rum=off

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sikh-fighter-pilot-memorial-in-uk-to-honour-indians-who-fought-in-world-wars/article34014400.ece

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/uk-news/2021/03/02/pioneering-fighter-pilot-to-feature-in-memorial-to-sikhs-killed-in-wars/

https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/daily/2021/03/02/news/pioneering-fighter-pilot-to-feature-in-memorial-to-sikhs-killed-in-wars-2241419/

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/pioneering-fighter-pilot-to-feature-in-memorial-to-sikhs-killed-in-wars-40148911.html

https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/south-coast/news/pioneering-fighter-pilot-to-feature-in-southampton-memorial-to-sikhs-killed-in-wars/

More news to follow soon …

Press Release — Southampton Sikh Memorial: statue design approved

On Sunday 14^th February, Valentines Day 2021 a virtual meeting was held under the auspices of One Community Hampshire and Dorset and the Council of Southampton Sikh Gurdwara’s, that witnessed other BAME community leads from across the South Coast and beyond, academic experts, and representatives of all three of the armed forces (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force), and the Chair of Hampshire FA.  You can read more about the sculptor, Luke Perry at https://www.ochd.org.uk/sikh-memorial/ Bookmark the page for OCHD will post updates there on the project.

The meeting saw the steering group approve the final state design and advise a preferred location that the sculptor had studied in detail for appropriateness.  In addition, enthusiastic approval was given for a multi-faith & beliefs, monoliths components, the importance of including narrative pan-South Asian, and broader BAME female community members that have made outstanding contributions to successful defence, and victory in the two world wars.

Accompanying the memorial once complete and formally unveiled, with our Armed Forces and Hampshire FA assisting on aspects of this historic event, will be educational resources, a book, and a documentary covering a number of history, society, and transcultural learning themes for the benefit of all generations and sections of society of local to national level educational value.

As such the statue to the legendary World War 1 hero, Hardit Singh Malik, the world’s first Royal Flying Corps (now the RAF) Sikh, turbaned fighter pilot, will be in fact, as everyone agreed emblematic for the broader Sikh contributions in the British armed forces of WW1 and WW2, with the greater narrative being told as has long been missing in British history, with Malik’s extraordinary accomplishments as a ‘touchstone’ for the whole Sikh community and other of its lesser-known heroes.

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Some support quotes regarding this historic announcement: 

I am truly overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of this exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of this great RAF fighter pilot, Hardit Singh Malik so well.  It gives me great happiness to learn that the design is approved by the community, the Armed Forces, Hampshire FA, and academics. It is wonderful to see everyone coming together in support this historically important initiative with the creation of this wonderful public monument. I look forward to supporting the illustrious organisations and experts referred to, endeavours and collaboration to realise the fullest potential of this important project initiated by One Community Hampshire and Dorset in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s.

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

Chairman of the British Sikh Association, and Chief Patron of One Community Hampshire and Dorset 

 

 I am absolutely delighted with the final design. This is an historic project involving all our BAME communities across the South Coast and beyond who are looking forward to supporting the City of Culture 2025, Southampton bid. This project certainly speaks for itself; strongly furthering Community Cohesion and Integration, and testifying to the major contribution our Sikh and broader ethnic minority communities to our country, as we live in such a vibrant multicultural society here in Southampton. The project will benefit both our current and future generations historically, and also our local economy. I am proud to be leading this project with our OCHD Team & experts, and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s.

Pritheepal Singh

CEO, Director One Community Hampshire and Dorset

 

‘This historic project brings huge significance to our communities supporting our society and is very much overdue. All Sikhs in Southampton feel very proud that the OCHD initiative in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, is going ahead, and we thank Southampton City Council for supporting this and thereby recognising the contribution made by our Sikh soldiers and veterans in the two World Wars.  We also are very proud that the world is not only going to be witnessing the Sikh memorial, but also in conjunction with this, those of other faiths and beliefs that also contributed so much in both those wars.

The Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, Gurdwara Nanaksar, President Sukhdev Singh, Chairman Harjap Singh (also Co-Founder of OCHD); General Secretary, Saranjit Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Trustee (Singh Sabha Gurdwara); Vice President, Raspal Singh, General Secretary, Surinder Singh  (Gurdwara Tegh Bahardur Sahib); General Secretary, Tarsem Singh (Gurdwara Ravidas); and Bharpoor Singh (COSG, and OCHD Secretary)

 

 This much needed memorial will have truly national level educational and 21^st Century multicultural and diverse communities respecting Britain, significance.  

This in particular because Hardit Singh Malik not only being the first Sikh community member and BAME pilot, but a major UK level pioneer for our BAME communities inclusion and equality, as his story involved successfully challenging the racial exclusion notions of the day, with his appointment as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. History will judge that Malik was a true giant in what he achieved in regard to ending race-related segregationist perspectives and practices in our British armed forces in the WW1 era.

Alan Mercel-Sanca

OCHD Co-Founder and Director, and CEO of the UK Nepal Friendship Society

 

I am honoured to be a part of this team. Monuments such as this are a vital part of the fight for equal representation. These artworks are long overdue thanks and recognition to the communities from around the world who have supported Britain in its past and continue to do so in vital roles not just in the armed forces but our health care and every aspect of modern life. We are a beautiful and diverse nation, our artworks as with all things should reflect this.

 Luke Perry

Commissioned Memorial Sculptor (Southampton)

 

The public statue of Hardit Singh Malik embodies the spirit of inclusivity — representing the will to ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ at the intersection of two World Wars and minority enrolment in the RAF: a significant feat for an Indian at the time.

Dr Sanjukta Ghosh

Artistic Director of SOAS’ South Asia Institute, One Community Hampshire and Dorset Community Strategic Engagement Advisor

 

Hampshire FA are honoured and proud to be involved in the Sikh Memorial Project in conjunction with One Community Hampshire and Dorset and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s. 

Through our clubs and leagues, we have the opportunity to raise awareness of the important role that Sikhs, and other diverse community soldiers played in both World Wars, and with the huge number of children playing football in our county, it will prove to be a vital education tool as well. The whole project fits very well with the Inclusion and Diversity work that Hampshire FA are undertaking.

James Pearson,

Chairman – Hampshire FA

 

I welcome this initiative by One Community Hampshire and Dorset in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s to remember and recognise the considerable contribution made by members of the BAME community during times of national need.

 It is rightly fitting Hardit Malik Singh is the model for this lasting tribute to the bravery and dedication of the thousands from across the Commonwealth who gave of themselves. This is a memorial that will not only recognise the troops, but remember their families back home who endured the uncertainty of having loved ones serve so many miles away.

Simon Hayes

Former Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner

 

“The Royal Navy’s Attract and Engagement Team are delighted to support One Community Hampshire & Dorset (OCHD) organisation and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s (Sikh Temples) initiative, to unveil a memorial that signifies the breaking down of cultural boundaries, both within the military and wider society, and that recognises the contribution of multiple faiths and communities in protecting our nation, whilst working collaboratively to ensure our liberty and freedom. 

We look forward to working with the OCHD in achieving its aim and to encouraging people of all faiths to embrace the opportunity to reflect, learn and educate themselves, and others, of the sacrifices made.”

Lt Cdr R J Haines RN | Attract & Engagement Team | Greater London and South East

 

The One Community Hampshire And Dorset memorial project dedicated to Hardit Malik Singh, is initiated in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, is a worthy and wonderful historical depiction of a WWI veteran.

From my region Headquarters South West, we the Army, would wish to support you whenever we are able.  We hope to build the narrative with you and share events that promote both the memorial and Hardit Malik Singh legacy, you have earmarked for 2023 and raise awareness of your Army. We hope to share a collaborative approach, embracing and embedding our relationship with you and the wider Sikh community, but also the other communities you closely work with.

Christopher Hart

Major C J P Hart BA(Hons) MBA | SO2 Engagement-Communities

 

Your Royal Air Force prides itself on its professional personnel and this is why we continue to work towards a fully diverse and Inclusive workforce to reflect the society we serve. To recognise the contributions made from all of our communities to the Armed Forces is important to us.

The sheer tenacity shown in the First and Second World Wars from the Men and Women of India is something to be remembered.  This is why the project of One Community Hampshire And Dorset in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s is important and something we are eager to follow and support where we can.

As part of the Specialist Engagement Team we work very closely with our diverse communities UK wide, and projects like the Sikh Memorial Southampton allow not only a platform for Remembrance but to learn from our rich history.

A Khan MSt J, MSc, BA(Hons)

Sqn Ldr

Chief of Staff Special Engagement Team

RAF rep for the Armed Forces Muslim Association

 

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 Further Support:

OCHD is also delighted to share that, through the greatly appreciated support of its Chair, Mr Russell Bahar, the Asian – Jewish Business Network (AJBN) is also supporting the memorial initiative because of the project’s vision and guiding multicultural and educational values and perspectives.

 

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Next steps:

A communication has been provided to the Leader of Southampton City Council (receipt already acknowledged) regarding the final state, chosen design and advised placement, and including reference to the exceptional value the memorial will add to Southampton’s bid for City of Culture status in 2025.  OCHD is very pleased to announce that a meeting with Southampton City Council has been arranged for later this month.

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End — Notes to the Editor:

For any further detail please contact OCHD CEO, Pritheepal Singh at pritheepal@ochd.org.uk  or phone: 07919 373 974.

OCHD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ochd_group?lang=en-gb

For more about OCHD, visit: www.ochd.org.uk

 

 

Asian – Jewish Business Network (AJBN) support for Sikh…

One Community Hampshire and Dorset is very pleased to announce news of Mr Russell Bahar, Founder of the Asian-Jewish Business Network (AJBN) support for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project.  This support and partnership is greatly appreciated.

In regard to the AJBN, Mr Bahar has provided in the two paragraphs below details of the Asian-Jewish Business Network inauguration event, held at the legendary Lords Cricket Ground:

‘The inaugural event of the Asian Jewish Business Network attracted more than 400 CEOs and other senior figures from the world of Law, Property, Insurance, Finance, Banking and Accountancy etc to the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in November 2019. Guests also heard from leading business figures from both communities including International Development Secretary Alok Sharma MP, Deputy Mayor of London for Business Rajesh Agrawal, Sir Lloyd Dorfman, Lord Bilimoria, Ron Kalifa and Faisal Islam.

The first gathering confirmed a clear appetite for this unique forum, described by Lord Popat as “well overdue”. So we are delighted to announce our return on the 15th November 2021, this time with a series of events aimed to further the AJBN’s goals of helping to share best practise and ultimately boost trade.’

Russell Bahar

OCHD is particularly pleased to share this news because of the passion Mr Bahar has shown for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project on behalf of the AJBN that will be assisting on awareness raising, and potential fundraising in conjunction with us, OCHD, and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, for this historic, once in a lifetime project.  This partnering regarding the project is especially welcome as the project has, beyond the direct rectification of the record of history concerning our Sikh Community of Southampton, in and for the British roles and courage through the UK’ [and then British Empire] armed forces in the two World Wars, a further related major purpose.

This to celebrate the crucial role of our BAME communities in the British armed forces, and in the two World Wars.  This including that of members of our British/UK Jewish community; a fact often overlooked, but important to record especially given the ultimate outcome of WW2 whether fought in the Asian or the European & North African theatres and beyond, was revealing the full scale and the horror of the Holocaust.