PRESS RELEASE

Jalaram Mandir Leicester Volunteers Honoured with

The King's Award 2023 for Extraordinary Service

Shree Jalaram Prarthna Mandal, Jalaram Mandir and Community Centre in Leicester, has been

conferred with the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAV) in 2023 - the highest

accolade for volunteer groups in the UK. This honour, equivalent to an MBE for voluntary organisations,

was formally presented to the Chairman Pramod Thakkar (who received the award on behalf of all the

volunteers), at a special award ceremony held at the Jalaram Mandir on Friday, March 2024.

On behalf of the trustees and volunteers, Mr Pramod Thakkar, chair of the Jalaram Charitable Trust

sent his best wishes and prayers for the good health of His Majesty The King and mentioned that on

January 25 January 2017, when his Majesty was still His Royal Highness Prince Charles, he had

walked along Narborough Road and passed through the temple, expressing his pleasure at seeing so

many diverse communities living together in peace and harmony. 

He went on to say, “We are delighted that the great work of all our dedicated volunteer groups has been

recognised by this prestigious award. I feel immensely proud and honoured to accept The King’s Award

for Voluntary Service on behalf of all our dedicated volunteers.

His Majesty's Lord - Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE, delivered a heartfelt speech

acknowledging the monumental contributions of the Trust and its volunteers. Highlighting the award’s

importance, the Lord Lieutenant noted, “To have achieved this award is a great tribute to the Jalaram

Charitable Trust and its valued team of volunteers, as it is a very significant national honour.” 

He further commended the trust for being among the first in Leicestershire to receive the award during

King Charles III’s reign.

“As Lord Lieutenant, I visit a large number of community organisations in Leicester and Leicestershire,

and I never cease to be amazed at the quality and range of services and support these groups are

providing within their local communities and beyond. Although diverse in their nature, what is common

is that these organisations rely so much on the voluntary efforts of those who work tirelessly for the

benefit of others.”

The Trustees of Jalaram Charitable Trust extended their heartfelt gratitude to all its volunteers, partners

and the community for their continuous support, On behalf of the Trust, miniature awards along with

KAV lapel badges were presented by the Lord-Lieutenant Mike Kapur, OBE and Deputy Lieutenants

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani and Dr Nik Kotecha to the heads of volunteer groups, namely Hanuman

Sewa Group, Winter Shelter Volunteers and One Roof Charity, Helping Hands, Jalaram Baal Vikas and

Shishu Vikas, in-house volunteers, and Charnwood Lions Club.

Birju Ghelani read the names of each group, while Sunil Budheo gave a brief overview of each of the

above groups.

Trustee Priti Raichura, while giving the vote of thanks said, "These are very challenging times. Many

people in our local communities find themselves without the basic security of food and housing. The

work of our volunteers is a clear demonstration of care and compassion for our brothers and sisters.

To have received the award the volunteers feel valued for the tireless work they do which gives them

the motivation to continue.

Following the presentation ceremony, the guests and volunteers proceeded to the community centre,

where the different volunteering activities were displayed on TV screens. Photo sessions took place and

refreshments were served.