The celebration of the 25th Silver Jubilee
Anniversary into the new Millennium of Shree Naranpar Gaam (U.K) is a unique event. For
some, it will bring back sweet memories of establishing the gaam here in London. It is the
motive to keep the gaam running from year to year since 1975 from where it officially
started formal gathering. This means to an extent that there were formal meeting or
gatherings, but all before the actual time, informal gathering was called. Few members
about 50-60, used to gather at members place and spent few hours or so together and then
called it a day.
In later 1960's, it was said that few members did exist of our gaam, but due to
eccentricity of times, distance and scarcity of cars and public transport, gathering
regularly was not quite possible. In early 1970's, few members did start to gather and met
at one's place informally. Hence, in 1975 the members were said to officially pronounce
the first ever gathering made at some hall in Maida Vale (London). That was the first
ever-official gathering occurred where 80-90 Naranpar gaam members took an opportunity to
offer their personal gratitude to Gaam members, meeting, servicing and participating in
various aspect of social gatherings. This showed a positive sign for the future of
Naranpar Gaam in terms of official social events taking place.
From the early 80's to the late 90's the figure gradually rose from 200 to
1000 to date. Today we have 250 subscribed registered members over 18 years of age where
they are all kept informed from time to time of the events taking place, meetings,
functions and other relevant matters, through direct mail. This personal approach has
encouraged the Gaam members to attend and play a significant role at Gaam meetings.
Twenty-five years, well, everyone has a story to narrate. Not only do
members frequently express appreciation of the Gaam's cultural, or social activities, but
also the feasible atmosphere, its vigour and verve, for the inquisitive attendance a day
or two in the whole calendar year offers time for reflection, contemplation and verge to
co-memorate the whole year's activities. In this way, Naranpar Gaam offers the benefits
more of a socializing experience than just cultural and moral participation.
For the past two decades, the Gaam has organised cultural programmes, which include
Raas garba, Indian Dances, Plays, Dandia raas and other varieties of Musical extravaganza.
Apart from that, Sports activities, Prize giving, Accounting matters and Letters from
overseas are read and discussed during the occasion. Various other suggestions and
relevant matters to the Gaam are also discussed. Raffle draws and Prizes for the
participants of the Sports and Garba events are given out at the end of the day.
A sound counselling service was established in 1997. This service offers strength and
encouragement not only to teenagers, but also to other members of older age groups who may
need help and support in areas of their educational and support lives. Counselling for
academic part and education is also serviced during the occasion.
Over the last decade, due to increasing members in the Gaam, it is found to be
highly attractive feature of working with the members of younger generation. It has been
this 'family atmosphere', which has helped in co-operating with them to organise various
activities. It is nice to see children and congregational members getting involved, hence
this is what makes the Naranpar (UK) Gaam play extra special. It is surely a peckable
moment to manifest Dramas, Garba's and Dances both in the Naranpar Gaam and 24-Gaam when
vergely chosen and selected to play at an all-get-together 24-Gaam
Twenty-five years, we invite all the members of our Gaam to join this celebration as we
pay tribute to all past members who have extravagantly contributed for the past quarter of
a century. These members have made tremendous progress to-date, to make us achieve and
co-memorate this Silver Jubilee celebration event a grand year of celebration into the new
Millennium.
We once again, would like to express our gratitude and take this event as one of the
most memorable event. We also hope that the same continuity and much more progressive work
is indulged for the years to come. Make this Silver Jubilee altogether a
"souvenir" for this year's celebration.
Before rounding off, on behalf of the committee we would like to express our heartfelt
gratitude towards those who have given donations in the past and enthusiastically
participated in the Naranpar Gaam's success. We humbly beg for your continued support in
the years to come. My sincere apologies to all the scores I have forgotten to mention.
This article will be later published in the forthcoming Naranpar Gaam magazine - August
2000