Article by Shivakumar Gurung :Tamu Samaj UK took part in the Remembrance Service held in Brent.
Tamu Samaj UK participated in the Remembrance Service organised by the London Borough of Brent Council on 10 November 2024. Members from the Army, Air Force, Navy Cadets, and representatives from St. John Ambulance, the Royal British Legion Wembley and Sudbury Branch, scouts, British Gurkha ex-servicemen from Tamu Samaj UK, and various other uniformed organisations, along with the Regent Brass Band, took part in the Brent Civic Remembrance Service and Poppy Parade held at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Barham Park, Wembley, London.
Deputy Lieutenant Mei Sim Lai OBE served as the chief guest at the event. Attendees included Brent Mayor Tariq Dar MBE, Brent Council Leader Councillor Mohamed Butt, Member of Parliament Dawn Butler, Brent’s councillors, and other dignitaries who participated in the remembrance service.
The Remembrance Service was led by Reverend Sophie Schuil-Brewer, the Dean of Brent. It included a citizens’ prayer and the Last Post tune played on the trumpet. The service featured a one-minute silence, followed by the trumpet’s Reveille and the UK National Anthem, all honouring the brave individuals who sacrificed their lives in various wars for the nation.
After delivering remarks at the Remembrance Service, the Mayor of Brent, along with other dignitaries and representatives from various organisations in Brent, laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Barham Park. Bindu Kumari Gurung Ghale, President of Tamu Samaj UK, also laid a wreath at the War Memorial.
After the event, Flight Lieutenant Jeetendra Gurung, the Parade Commander of the Royal Air Force, led the Brent Civic Remembrance Service Parade, accompanied by the Rejand Brass Band.
Following the parade, Tamu Samaj UK hosted a curry lunch at their Nepalese Community Centre in Barham Park. This lunch was organised in honour of the chief guest and the dignitaries from Brent Council who participated in the programme.
The chief guest at the lunch was Deputy Lieutenant OBE. Attendees included Brent Mayor Councillor Tariq Dar MBE, Council Leader Councillor Mohamed Butt, local councillors, distinguished guests, and the presidents of Tamu Samaj UK. The gathering also featured founder presidents, former and outgoing president, members of the working committee, advisors, and mother group’s mothers and sisters.
Before serving the curry lunch, the former General Secretary, Dharam Bal Gurung, informed the attendees about health and safety protocols, welcomed the guests, and provided a brief overview of the organisation’s activities. During the event, the newly elected Mayor of Brent Council, Councillor Tariq Dar MBE, received congratulations and best wishes for his term as Mayor from President Bindu Kumari Ghale and Founder President Chitra Bahadur Gurung.
The distinguished guests included Deputy Lieutenant Mei Sim Lai OBE, Brent Mayor Councillor Tariq Dar MBE, Council Leader Councillor Mohamed Butt, and Councillor Paul Lorber, who delivered brief speeches. In their addresses, they expressed pride in engaging with the Nepali community and acknowledged the participation of Tamu Samaj UK in the Brent Civic Remembrance Service. They highlighted the social and philanthropic work carried out by the society. Such interactions provide valuable opportunities to better understand one another and strengthen relationships.
On this occasion, Bindu Kumari Ghale, the President of the Society, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished guests from Brent Council. She noted that the unwavering support from Brent Council and the Barham Park Trust has played a vital role in helping the society achieve its goals. She extended her sincere thanks to everyone in attendance at the event.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed the delicious Nepali curry lunch prepared by Rara Catering. The programme concluded at 5 P.M after some time spent mingling among the dignitaries present.
