Leicester award for Buddhdev November 2005

Leicester award for Buddhdev
November 2005

Buddhdev Pandya MBE was amongst the front line community workers recognised for their contribution by the Leicester City Mayor Cllr Mary Drycott, last week at an event hosted by a leading Muslim Association.

Buddhdev Pandya, heads Policy and Communication Unit of Confederation of Indian Organisations (UK) which is a National Charity working with the South Asian Communities since 1975.

Mr Pandya was awarded and MBE in 1994 Queen’s Honours for his work for race and community relations. He had extensive experience heading a number of race equality organisations and remained a high profiled professional in the media.

He received a special certificate stating; ‘In recognition of outstanding voluntary and community contribution to Leicester City’ was awarded to Mr Pandya. One of his colleague Mr Vinod Kotecha based in CIO’s Regional Office was also recognised forhis work.

"I am honoured to have been held in such a high respect by Leicester minority communities, particulraly the Mulslim community and rewared me for my contribution in this way", said Mr Pandya

Leicester represents a large Indian population as well as Pakistani and Bangladeshi. Many families thrown out of Uganda by its President Amin, mostly Gujaraties have settled in the Midlands since early 70s. Buddhdev was also honoured by the Indian High Commisioner Dr L M Singhvi on behlalf of Brent Indian Association which he aserved a Secretary Geneneral and succeeded in establishing London's First Indian Community Centre funded through the Urban-aid Grant in 1976.

Amongst other recipients were representatives from local Vanza Society and key front line workers from the Islamic Community organisations in Leicester.