India's Republic Day Parade

Indians across the world all celebrated India’s Republic Day. Even though security was extra tight in New Delhi, the parade, the dignitaries and the India’s policy makers all attending this historic day in India’s history. Within the past 60 years, India has struggled through various political and economic difficulties, but, she as always still comes out smiling. This morning here in the UK, Overseas Congress Secretary General, Mr Avtar Sandhu MBE praised the work of Indians all over the world for their patriotism towards mother India. He said ” I would like to praise the patients, determination and enthusiasm of Indian’s all over the world. No one person can develop a nation the size of India, one thing Indians have always been proud of is our determination. Many governments have come and gone in the past 60 years, but this government has developed India the most. I would like to congratulate ALL of Dr Manmohan Singh’s cabinet on the progression of this great nation. We have come a long way, but, we still have a long journey ahead of us, I am confident that once the journey ends our India shall be looked upon as a roll model. JAI HIND”. The celebrations for the 60th Independence Day of India continue all over the globe.

Indian Overseas Congress Members at India House London

In December 2009, Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK Senior National President Mr Bhagwan Dass Badhan, Cllr Avtar Singh Sandhu MBE (National General Secretary) and Indian Overseas Youth Congress UK’s General Secretary Mr Ragbhir Singh Sandhu, had a meeting with the new Indian High Commissioner to London H.E. Mr Nalin Surie at Indian House Aldwych.

The meeting was as an introduction in which the oldest Congress Organisation within the UK weas introduced to the High Commissioner, in addition to the history of the organisation, the High Commissioner was pleased to meet the members of the Indian Overseas Congress and our Congress Party look forward to working closely with India House. 

In a joint statement, Senior President Mr Badhan and Congress National General Secretary, Mr Avtar Sandhu MBE said ” The meeting was very productive, positive and encouraging. The High Commissioner was very welcoming and our organisation is keen to work with the High Commissioner to build on the future by Strengthening the relations between the UK and India. We look forward to the High Commissioner attending our events accross the UK, we are keen to show him the successful operation of the Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK and its branches and members over the country.

Since the sudden death of his father, late S Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE in 1999, Avtar has been committed to following in his father’s footsteps and in recent years British and Indian Politics. As well as being the first Punjabi to be elected onto  Kent County Council, he is also General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK. As part of his enhancement of relations and trade between Indian and Britain he has had meeting with Indian PM, Dr Manmohan Singh here in the UK and at the PM’s  residence in New Delhi.  Earlier today Mr Sandhu was quoted ay saying “ Today is a historic day not only for my family but for all Asians, I am honoured to be given this recognition by Her Majesty the Queen. I would like to urge more people form all communities to help each other and work together towards a better life for our children in years to come.”

Avtar Sandhu at Buckingham Palace on 4th December 2009

Mr Kapoor was the president of the Indian Overseas Congress – London. General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK, cllr.  Avtar Singh Sandhu MBE said ” Having known Mr Kapoor (uncle ji) over the years, he along with my late father, Mr Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE, was someone to whom I always looked upto. He was one of the greatest and highly respected Indian’s in the UK to whom we owe a great deal. Our thought and prayers are with the family of Mr Kapoor at this very difficult time”.

The funerel of Mr Kapoor shall be taking place on 11th September 2009. The programme is as follows:
12:30pm – Arrival of funeral cortege at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Hounslow, Alice Way, Hanworth Road, Hounslow, TW3 3UA 
1:20 pm – Funeral Service at South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham TW13 5JH
2:00 pm – Path & Langar at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Hounslow, Alice Way, Hanworth Road, Hounslow, TW3 3UA
Flower and wreaths may be sent by 9am 11/09/09 to Lodge Bros & Barton, 116 Hanworth Road, Hounslow, TW3 1UG
Directions by Public Transport
Bus 111 from Hounslow East station and Treaty Centre goes to Gurdwara and the Crematorium.

Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact us.

In an interview Avtar Sandhu said ” My father Late S Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE encouraged me into politics, he himself was a prominent figure within the Indian community in the UK and indeed India, it is a true honour to have been able to follow in my fathers footsteps”.

Although it is her trusted colleague Manmohan Singh who is the prime minister, it is the 62-year-old Gandhi, chairperson of the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), who is widely considered the real power behind the throne.

In any case, Gandhi is the undisputed boss of India’s oldest political party and is principally credited for its remarkable comeback to power in the parliamentary election, winning the highest number of 206 seats in the lower house, Lok Sabha, since 1991.

Politicians and political analysts admit that Gandhi has truly emerged as a hugely popular leader.

“She has led the Congress to victory in two successive elections. That is the closest you can get to getting the people’s mandate,” noted analyst Mahesh Rangarajan told IANS.

In any case, he said, the issue of her foreign origin “died a natural death” much earlier and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was once vocal on the topic, overstretched it with a negative campaign.

But it was Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Purno Sangma’s dramatic move to apologize to Gandhi for carrying on a sustained campaign against her over her foreign origin that appeared to formally bury the once emotive affair.

The election results of 2009 were again a very proud and yet again historic day in the Indian calandar.

With branches throughout the UK and indeed members right across the globe, we would sincerely like to thank you all for your support and comments throughout this election campaign.

We would also like to congratulate Sonia Gandhi Ji, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and all the members of the Congress Party in India who have our overwhelming support in continuing and sustaining the development of our prosperous nation.

We look forward to your support in the years to come!”

“JAI HIND”

Avtar Sandhu
Secretary General
Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK

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“Congratulations to all supporters of the Congress Party of India.
The election results of 2009 were again a very proud and yet again historic day in the Indian calandar.JAI HIND” 

Avtar Sandhu
Secretary General
Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK 

With branches throughout the UK and indeed members right across the globe, we would sincerely like to thank you all for your support and comments throughout this election campaign. 

We would also like to congratulate Sonia Gandhi Ji, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and all the members of the Congress Party in India who have our overwhelming support in continuing and sustaining the development of our prosperous nation. 

We look forward to your support in the years to come! 

During that era, the prime minister for India was the late Mrs Indira Gandhi. The purpose of the Indian Overseas Congress (I) UK (IOC), was to promote the policys within the western world of the Congress Party in New Delhi. Having not long been given independence the Non Resident Indian’s (NRI’s) within the UK played a vital roll in the stability and progression of India. 

Bearing in mind that now in 2007 their are only an hand full of founder members still with us, the organisation has flourished, we have branches throughout the UK and also a Youth Congress wing ( IOYC ). Our current National President is Mr Bhagwan Dass Badhan and Secretary General is Mr Avtar Singh Sandhu.