(Agencies)

Asked how the Committee would take the views of those who are boycotting, Duggal said, “The voices will be counted as good response has already come. ”We have received 50 memoranda so far since February 20 when the public notice was issued. It is your option. I cannot force you. Once the intent of the Committee is known, the responses will be forthcoming,” he said. A fresh public notice could also be issued, with the approval of the Chairman of the Committee, Justice B N Srikrishna, for seeking responses, he said. The Committee will start holding consulations with various groups and political parties from the middle of next month in Hyderabad and other places in the state on the issue of a separate Telangana state.

(Agencies)

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

Members of the organisation from South East England gathered at Gravesend ‘Bassant Restaurant’ on Friday 18^th September to mark this historic day in the Indian Calendar. National General Secretary, Mr Avtar Singh Sandhu MBE, congratulated Indian’s around the globe.  He praised the work of the Indian government on their proposals for India within the coming years. Having met Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi, Mr Sandhu confirmed that India is ‘Going Places’.

SE England celebrates India's Independence

Branch President, Mr Gurdial Singh Rai MBE and Vice President Mr Atma Singh, reinforced the work of the government and remembered the freedom fighters that lost their lived during the battle for independence, they both went on to say ‘India is a country to be proud of’. Representing the Indian Overseas Youth Congress was National General Secretary, Mr Ragbhir Singh Sandhu from Dartford Kent.

The picture on the left shows some of the members present at the event in September 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.

Congress Party General Secretary

On Thursday of this week, Congress Party General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi suggested that India’s welfare Scheme could be a great tool to eliminate Naxalism within the nation.

Whilst speaking with students in Jagdalpur, he said its essential to get benifits of government welfare schemes to every last person in India. In an answer to a students question, Mr Gandhi added “the people of India should NOT be identified by their cast or religion, inorder to overcome this the government has taken out a massive campaigne to issue every person with a unique identification number, this project is expected to be completed within the next 5 years” he said.