Bedford volunteering legend and Bedford Impartial On a regular basis Hero, Charan Sekhon, has collected his MBE from His Majesty The King at Windsor Citadel this week (31 January).
Charan Kanwal Singh Sekhon was awarded his MBE within the late Queen’s 2022 birthday honours record for companies to charity, range and the atmosphere, notably throughout Covid-19.
A Member of the Most Wonderful Order of the British Empire (MBE), is a nationwide honour awarded for an excellent achievement or service to the group which has had a long-term, vital influence.
Learn: Queen’s New Yr’s Honours record recognises 5 Bedford heroes
“I’m actually humbled and honoured to have acquired my MBE from His Majesty The King,” mentioned Charan.
“It was a really particular second to have a quick dialog with His Majesty, who needed to know extra about my journey and the important thing challenges I confronted…
“Earlier than the ceremony, I used to be a bit nervous however I have to say he was actually engaged within the dialog and he made me really feel particular and I really feel extraordinarily grateful.
“You solely have a couple of minutes for dialog however I felt like I had a extremely good dialog that lasted a bit longer.”
Whereas Charan is a Senior Atmosphere Officer for the Atmosphere Company throughout the day, he’s additionally the Founder Chairman of SEVA Belief UK, a registered charity working within the UK and India on Training, Well being, Social-Welfare and the Atmosphere.
This included main a group of volunteers to offer a whole bunch of susceptible households, homeless, rough-sleepers and worldwide college students within the space with meals and different important gadgets throughout the Corona pandemic began.
Learn: Worldwide college students in Bedford “ravenous” in coronavirus lockdown
Beforehand he performed an vital function in establishing a brand new Sikh Temple in Kempston, the place he served as an Assistant Secretary for over 15 years.
Additional afield, Charan and his group have supported 1000’s of deprived youngsters in north India within the final seven years.
“A special occasion”
On high of his charity work, he’s additionally an Equalities and Welfare Coordinator for UNISON, a Parish Councilor in Sharnbrook, a former govt committee member of Bedford Race Equality Council and the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara.
Whereas Charan mentioned gathering his MBE was “a really special occasion”, he mentioned he missed his dad not being there.
“It will have been extra particular if my father was right here with us to witness this event,” he mentioned. “We misplaced him final 12 months however I’m certain he’s watching us and should be very proud in the identical method my mom and the remainder of my household are.”
Charan reacted in his ordinary humble and mentioned he wouldn’t have been awarded had it not been for “unconditional assist” from these round him and that he’s not able to cease doing extra to assist others.
“I have to thank my household for his or her unconditional assist, all my work colleagues on the Atmosphere Company, my colleagues at UNISON, SEVA Belief Trustees, Groups & Volunteers in UK and India, the group, charity and religion group leaders and all the opposite colleagues & mates, whom I had an actual privilege to work with prior to now 28 years of my work in numerous fields.
“This particular recognition will at all times encourage me to do extra and higher for the subsequent time & will strive my finest to proceed to make an actual distinction for others, assist to guard and save the atmosphere, promote range & equality for all and higher assist by SEVA Belief UK for all communities”, mentioned Charan.
A not so On a regular basis Hero
Charan’s charitable work and contributions have already been broadly recognised by many native and nationwide organisations together with Bedford Borough Council, Papwoth Belief, Cambridge, The Sikh Missionary Society, UK, Patanjali Yog Peeth Belief, UK and Bedfordshire Asian Enterprise Affiliation (BABA).
In 2002 he acquired Bedford Mayor’s ‘Citizen of the Yr’ Award for his charitable work and group companies.
Then in 2013, Charan was honoured with the British Asian Pleasure of Britain Award in an occasion held on the Home of Commons within the UK Parliament
Extra just lately, in December 2020, he acquired a Sports activities Award from Bedford Borough Council for supporting numerous communities with free on-line yoga courses and an On a regular basis Heroes Award from the Bedford Impartial and the Harpur Belief in 2022.
Nominate somebody for a 2022 Bedford Impartial On a regular basis Heroes award right here
Learn: On a regular basis Heroes Awards: Have a look at these sensible Bedfordians
“I wish to give one thing again”
Born and Bred in a small village in Barundi of Punjab in India, Charan confronted many challenges throughout his academic provider in India and within the UK. However, he accomplished his BSc. and MSc. in Physics from India and moved to Britain in Jan. 1995.
After finishing his MSc in Power and Atmosphere from Cranfield College, he then joined the Atmosphere Company in Jan 2000.
In a latest interview with Cranfield College alumni podcast channel’s program of ‘Management on-the-go’ Charan mentioned he needed to make use of his experiences of battle and hardships to assist others consistent with the idea of Seva (selfless service) gifted by the founding father of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak.
“I consider there isn’t a higher reward than serving the nation by supporting individuals who face hardships and desires everybody to work in unity to serve others,” he mentioned.
He added, “I received excellent assist from the local people right here within the UK and India and I wish to give one thing again”.
When you’d wish to nominate somebody for an On a regular basis Heroes Award 2022, you could find out extra in regards to the classes and entry the nomination kind, right here.
