Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Gurjar Hindu Union wins the highest voluntary service award in UK

Gurjar Hindu Union wins the highest voluntary service award in UK

A 54-year-old charity in Crawley has won the highest award for a voluntary group in the UK.

The Gurjar Hindu Union (GHU), Crawley in West Sussex has won the Queen’s Award for voluntary service in 2021.


The charity, which serves the Indian community in Crawley, offers activities for children, young people and the elderly and provides skills training. Besides, it provides cultural and supportive services to the Hindu and wider community, a statement said.

The GHU gives support and service for the community through Sanatan Mandir and Community Centre, known as Apple Tree Centre, which was built 11 years ago.

It represents 5,000 members from 1,200 families from Hindu/Indian background.

The charity will receive the award from the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Susan Pyper, later this year. Two volunteers will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2022, the statement further said.

‘I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Gurjar Hindu Union. The challenges of the last year have put immense pressure on the voluntary sector across the country, and here in West Sussex we have seen countless groups and individuals give their time and expertise to help others, and we have been reminded yet again of the vital contribution that volunteers make to their communities," said The Lord-Lieutenant.

"The Award is a tremendous accolade for Gurjar Hindu Union and I sincerely hope that their achievements will encourage other volunteer groups to consider putting themselves forward for nomination for this prestigious award.’

Voluntary organisations in West Sussex including 4Sight Vision Support, Olive Tree Cancer Support Group and Streetlight UK were also honoured with the award.

This year, 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the UK have received the award.

Introduced in 2002, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups that benefit their local communities.

The winners are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less