A Hindu Community Centre has been planned in the city of Preston in England.
According to reports, land has been purchased for it and plans have been filed with the Preston City Council. To be developed by Mandhata Samaj, it will be used for religious, cultural and educational activities; besides holding community festivals and gatherings.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of Centre leaders and area community for realizing this Hindu Centre.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new Centre would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
“Shree Mandhata Samaj”, a registered charity established in United Kingdom (UK) in 1972, is an umbrella organization of various India origin Koli community groups spread over UK; which has youth, women, education, etc., sub-committees and organizes “matrimonial get-togethers” for the community members, numbering over 30,000. Thakor Patel is one of the area Samaj leaders behind this Centre.
Preston, the administrative center of Lancashire on River Ribble houses the main campus of the University of Central Lancashire and was recorded in the Domesday Book as “Prestune” in 1086. Prominent people associated with it include one of USA’s founding fathers Benjamin Franklin; footballers Clarke Carlisle, Tom Finney and Phil Jones; wrestler Stu Bennett; cricketer Andrew Flintoff; animator Nick Park and poet Robert Service. Constance Margaret McManus is the Mayor, while Peter Rankin is Leader of Preston City Council.