BGRFBEACON OF CHANGE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NATIONAL & COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Dr. Kahawe is a Chartered Marketer and an Entrepreneur. His knowledge, experience, and network can assist global brands in establishing their products in the UK market. After completing the Executive Leadership Programme at Oxford's Said Business School, he is now leading his team as CEO to explore future trends while capitalising on current demands and market opportunities in Europe

Dr Rishiram Aryal is a distinguished figure within the Nepalese community in the UK, known for his unwavering dedication to promoting harmony, well-being, and spiritual enlightenment. Born into a traditional Hindu priest family, he has always prioritised the exploration of the purest forms of cultural and religious values, no matter where he resides. His life journey is deeply intertwined with the eternal wisdom of Hinduism, and he passionately seeks truth in the vast realms of spirituality. Throughout his life, Dr Aryal has made substantial contributions to empowering the younger generation, guiding them to enlightenment through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. He believes that it is crucial for future generations to be deeply rooted in the consciousness of dharma, karma, and moksha. His commitment to this mission has led him to actively coordinate and lead various religious programs and celebrations within the Nepalese community, fostering unity and spreading the values and meanings behind their rich cultural heritage. Despite excelling academically and obtaining the highest qualifications, including a Doctorate, Dr Aryal remains a lifelong seeker of spiritual knowledge. His journey, shaped by the sacred texts of the Vedas and Upanishads, is a testament to his dedication to the principles of dharma, karma, and moksha. Through yoga and meditation, he continues to align his body, mind, and soul, awakening the inner light that guides his path. From the temples of Varanasi to the serene banks of the Ganges, he draws strength from timeless traditions and rituals, connecting deeply to his roots and the divine presence within and around him.

His family name is Gourapada Deb, and the spiritual name given by Sree Gurudev is Bhagavad Kinkor Gourapada Das. Originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh, he has been residing in London since 1987. Since his arrival, he has been engaged in rendering spiritual services such as Padabali Kirton, reciting the Bhagavad Gita, and various other scriptures to serve the community, with a particular focus on the younger generation.

He also has a passion for acting in dramas and is a scriptwriter who composes songs, poems, and other religious texts. Reading and writing are his hobbies.

Himangshu Goswami, a household name in the global Bengali diaspora, has enchanted audiences with his golden mellifluous voice for over five decades. As a renowned folk, devotional and patriotic singer, Himangshu is instrumental in establishing Bengali music and culture to the UK and the west. He has composed over 300 songs including the famous folk song "Sadher Lau", and has worked with legends such as Pt Ravi Shankar and George Harrison. His kirtan and bhajans have amassed over 30 millions listeners from all over the globe. Himangshu Goswami established Noborag in London in 1985 with the aim of promoting high quality music from South Asia. Along with his song, Himanish who is a talented tabla player, he regularly organises top quality live musical concerts in the UK and Bangladesh

Mrs. Shipra Roy is a dedicated Bengali homemaker who takes immense pride in her close-knit family, which includes her husband and three children. She has had the privilege of studying singing under several esteemed teachers, including the late Mrs. Pompa Dhar (Rabindra Sangeet) at Nupur School of Rabindra Sangeet in London, Mrs. Gauri Bhapat (Hindustani Vocal), and Mrs. Shyamali Basu (Rabindra Sangeet) at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London. She and her husband regularly volunteer at a medical camp in Atla near Tarapith, West Bengal, organized by the charity HAVEN (Help A Village Emerge New). She generously donates and personally serves the expenses for “Bhandara,” a special free meal for all attendees.  In 2010, she and her family tragically lost their daughter, Ipshita, in a road incident. To honour her memory, they established the "Ipshita Memorial" charity, which raises thousands of pounds annually for various humanitarian causes, including The Trussell Trust”, “The Ruth Strauss Foundation”, “Normandy Memorial Trust”, “Chartwell Cancer Trust”, “MIND” & “Stroke UK. They donated a slit-lamp to establish a Blindness Prevention Clinic. They are also closely associated with Sabuj Sangha, a charity based in the Sundarbans, West Bengal, which is involved in building a rural hospital, a school, and an orphanage for vulnerable children. She is actively involved in the UK Hindu Cultural Centre as a founding member, organising major cultural and religious events. In recognition of her philanthropic efforts, she received an award from the NRI Welfare Society of India in 2017.

Mr. Chakravorty served as a lecturer in Economics in colleges between 1969 to 1976 during which Bangladesh became independent in 1971. He left his teaching profession and joined Bangladesh Water Development Board as an Economist, served the organization for 27 years in different positions and retired as the Joint Chief Planning of the organization in 2003. Since then, he has been serving as national consultant Economist till date for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the Government of Bangladesh and for many other international consulting houses. He has been elected as the President of Bangladesh Gita Sangha, a nationally registered organization, since 2010, dedicated for the preaching the teachings of Srimad Bhagabat Gita and practicing those through its more than 400 branches across the country and abroad. He published a largely appreciated edition of the Gita & teaches the Trainers of Gita Schools under the Hindu Welfare Trust of the Government regularly and Chairs many religious Workshops, Seminars and Discussions held at different places in Bangladesh, as requested.