BVS in the UK
Seven decades in the UK
In the late 1950s and 1960s many Valmiki’s started arriving in the UK to find work, leaving their parents, wives, husbands and children in India.
However, the Valmiki community quickly embraced their lives in the UK to the extent that the UK became their home. Employment opportunities in large local industries such as the London Brick Company, Britannia Iron Works, Pre Star, WH Allens and Meltis allowed families to prosper and create sustainable lifestyles.
To bring together our community, several like-minded individuals created the first Valmiki Committee in Bedford, known as the Valmik Samaj Sudhar Sabha.
The original founder committee members were:
– The late Mr Pakhar Ram Meeda
– The late Giani Bhagat Singh
– The late Mr Ratan Pal
– The late Mr Sadhu Ram Gill (Kandola)
– The late Mr Mohinder Gill
– The late Mr Teju Ram Gill
In 1975 our first Committee purchased land on Muswell Road to build our very own Place of Worship eventually named as the Bhagwan Valmik Mandir (temple). After several renovations, refurbishments and extensions our Temple still stands and thrives today.
The elders responsible for this historic milestone included;
The committee members:
– The late Mr Joginder Paul Dhariwal
– The late Mr Bachana Kalyan
– Mr Jasbir Singh Kalyan
– The late Mr Madho Singh Kalyan
– The late Mr Niku Kalyan
– The late Mr Gurdas Mattu
– The late Mr Pakhar Ram Meeda
– The late Mr Geja Ram Sahonte
The established Trustee members were:
– The late Mr Bachana Kalyan
– Mr Jasbir Singh Kalyan
– The late Mr Geja Ram Sahonte
In 1981 our first official Committee was elected and our written and Constitution adopted. The first official Bhagwan Valmik Sabha:
– Chairman The late Mr Niku Kalyan
– President The late Mr Bachana Kalyan
– Vice President Mr Dalip Kumar Nahar
– General Secretary Mr Swaran Singh
– Assistant Secretary The late Mr Joginder Paul Dhariwal
– Cashier The late Mr Geja Ram Sahonte
– Assistant Cashier Mr Kartar Chand Sahonte
– Auditor Mr Mahendar Lal Kalyan
– Cultural Secretary Mr Jasbir Singh Kalyan
– Main Preacher The late Mr Madho Singh Kalyan
– Executive Member Mr Gurmeet Singh
– Executive Member Mr Chone Lal
– Executive Member Mr Amarjit Singh
– Executive Member The late Giani Bhagat Singh
– Executive Member The late Mr Balbir Dutt
– Executive Member The late Mr Ram Chand Nahar
We forever impart our respect and admiration to those who devoted time, effort and energy into uniting the Valmiki Community of Bedford, which now encompasses over 500 members. Since our formation, we remain passionate about our mission and the promotion of the philosophies of Bhagwan Valmik Ji.