The South Asian Society of Devon and Cornwall, which was co-formed by international students and staff from the University, has been highly commended in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Team Award at the Devon and Cornwall Police Volunteer Awards 2019. The Society looks to enhance awareness of South Asian culture through a variety of activities to promote racial unity and was recognised for its significant and sustained contribution to community wellbeing. The trustees (current and previous), as a team, are privileged to act as volunteers to promote and contribute to the objectives of the society. These include organisations of various cultural, educational, sporting and charitable activities throughout the year. This also entails linking with other organisations and stakeholders in the region.
AGM 2019
The Annual General Meeting 2019 was successfully convened on the 2nd of June 2019 and was attended by the trustees but Jayanti Bhai (who was unwell) and a large number of members. We had a number of cultural performances followed by the meeting and refreshments. We thank all the participants for their contributions and participation. All existing trustees to continue for another year.
A special tribute was arranged for Mrs Anjana Bhagwanji. In Anjanaben’s departure, we have lost a generous, hospitable, hardworking and kind-hearted member. We pray for the peace of the departed soul.
New Associate Trustees
Dr Satish BK
Mr Abhijeet Ghatghe
Dr Smita Tripathi
AGM 2019
We cordially invite you to participate in the 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM 2019) of SAaS
Date – Saturday, 1st June 2019
Time 3-7pm (arrival 3 pm for 3.15 Start)
Location – Sherwell Church, Plymouth University, PL4 8AA
Agenda:
1. Welcome: Soft Drinks / coffee / tea
2. Tribute to Anjanaben
3. Short Cultural programme plus Prize distribution
3. A. Welcome by the chairperson
B. Secretary – report
C. Treasures Report.
4. Members comments- AOB
5. Food served and socialisation- 5:30pm onwards
06:30 pm close
If members want to discuss anything, in particular, please email us (chairpersonsaas@gmail.com) your agenda item by 18th May so that we can add it under the General Meeting item. Please confirm your attendance by 18th May for catering purposes and let us know if you have any dietary requirements (e.g. allergies etc.).
We encourage our members to participate in the cultural programme. If you/your child would like to participate for a short performance for the programme please send an email to chairpersonsaas@gmail.com by 18th May
Please note, photographs will be taken during the event and will be used to promote the work of the society externally. By attending the event you are providing consent to use these photos for the above-mentioned purpose. If you do not want us to use any of your photographs then please let us know via email by 18th May.
All trustees please email (chairpersonsaas@gmail.com) at least 2 weeks prior to AGM (i.e.18th May 2019) that you would like to serve as a trustee for next year. If anyone would like to join as an associate trustee, please send an email to chairpersonsaas@gmail.com by18th May 2019.
We look forward to seeing you all during the AGM.
Thank you
SAaS Trustees
Obituary – Mrs Anjanaben Bhagwanji
25 July 1951 - 05 January 2019
It is with great sadness, we have to inform you that Mrs Anjanaben Bhagwanji, a founding member of South Asian Society (SAaS) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, 5th January 2019 at her residence in Plymouth.
Those who have been associated with SAaS would know that Anjanaben worked, passionately, tirelessly and selflessly for the progress of the society since its establishment in 2003. She not only assisted her husband, Mr Jayanti Bhagwanji (affectionately known as Jayantibhai) performing his duties as trustee and long-time treasurer of the society but also contributed to the society in many ways including catering, organising many successful events (including AGMs and Annual Diwali-Eid events). She also donated generously to all the charitable activities SAaS undertook.
As its founding member, Anjanaben also very actively worked for the Plymouth Hindu Community. She also assisted Jayantibhai to organise many events for Masonic (Freemason) Victory Lodge No 4189.
By Anjanaben’s departure, we have lost a generous, hospitable, hardworking and kind hearted personality. We pray for the peace of the departed soul. May God give enough strength to bear this loss to Jayantibhai, his son and daughter-in-law, Vimal and Suzanne; daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Manish, the grandchildren and a very big family besides large number of friends. The wider society will greatly miss Anjanaben.
Season’s Greetings
Dear Members
As another holiday season approaches, we send our warmest wishes to you and your family. May you find the true spirit of the season and may it fill your heart with joy. Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings happiness, may it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year.
Wishing you laughter, contentment, joy and peace in 2019 and always.
SAaS Trustees
Eden project visit – Free entry
The current ticket prices are £64 for a family of 4 or £25 per adult and £12.50 per child. This is a great opportunity to avail (for FREE) and explore EDEN as a community event. We have a limited number of places and we need to let them know in advance. Please fill in the following form to express your interest. We have also investigated the option to travel as a group in a coach. If we have enough members interested to travel as a group we will book a coach. Ticket prices per seat will be between £7-£10 depending on final numbers. We need to inform them by 2nd January 2019 latest.
Annual Event 2018 – Thank you
On behalf of the SAaS Trustees, we extend our sincere thanks to all those who attended and participated in the annual cultural event this year. Our sincere thanks to all the participants who worked extremely hard despite their usual day to day commitments to make the evening enjoyable and memorable for all. We had over 220 guests who joined us for the celebrations this year. We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our special thanks to the Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council (PDREC) and the Diverse Communities Team of the Devon and Cornwall Police force for their support towards this event.
We have now uploaded some images from the event on our website (gallery section) as we have not received any objections by 30th November 2018. We informed all participants and guests through the joining instructions and through signs during the event. If at any point you want us to withdraw any of your image/s, please let us know and we will remove it from our website and delete it from our archives.
SAaS Annual Cultural Evening 2018
As an amazing and eventful year progresses, SAaS brings to you another exciting and colourful event to look forward to in 2018!
Be ready to be a part of the biggest celebration of South Asian culture with our local communities, to put on your dancing shoes, try some amazing asian food and show off the hidden talents you all have!
SAaS presents our 15th Annual Event 2018!!
Venue: Devonport High School for Girls, Lyndhurst Rd, Plymouth, PL2 3DL
Date: 17/11/2018
Time: 6pm-11:30pm
AGM 2018
Date/ time: 9th June, 16.00- 18.45
Venue: Sherwell Church, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Dear all
Many thanks to those who have confirmed their participation for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the South Asian Society (SAaS). Sincere thanks also to those who have volunteered to participate or have suggested kid’s performance during the AGM.
Sincere thanks also to members who have volunteered themselves to be trustee of the society.
Needless to mention, society’s activities, achievements and future directions depend on active participation of its members. Apart from socialising, this is an important opportunity for the members to move the society forward.
We also had good response for the cultural event to be organised during the AGM. There are still the opportunity for the members, especially the kids to perform during the event. Please let us know if you or your kids would like to take the opportunity to perform during the event.
If you have not already registered, this is a final request to come forward and participate in the meeting. Please spare few minutes to register your participation.
Please note- parking is available free in the University Campus and in the Sherwell Church parking area. The car should however be parked in the designated parking ways only.
We will look forward to see you on 9th June, 2018.
Agenda / sequence of the event:
- Welcome and socialising: 16.00- 16.30 (Tea/ coffee/ soft drinks available)
- Cultural programme: 16.30-17.00
- AGM: 17.00-17.30
- Welcome by Chairperson
- Secretary’s report
- Treasure’s report
- AOB
- Snacks/refreshments and socialising: 17.30-18.30
- Close of the meeting: 18.30
SAaS Badminton charity event 30th June
Together with the support of Nuffield Health, South Asian Society of Devon and Cornwall is delighted to announce our first Badminton tournament on the 30th of June to raise money and support a day of research towards Brain Tumours & Cancer.
Brain Tumour Research is an official charity partner of Plymouth University. It is one of only four universities in the UK working with the charity to improve the treatment and outcomes of brain tumours.
- brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer
- there are over 120 different types of brain tumour
- it is estimated that around 16,000 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour
- less than 20 per cent of brain tumour patients survive beyond 5 years of their diagnosis
- 10 people a day die of a brain tumour
Accordingly we have teamed up with Brain Tumour Research and help raise funds for this important underfunded area of research.
In support of this cause Nuffield Health, Devonshire Health and Racquets Club is offering free access to their world class facilities for the participants and their families for 30th June and 1st July. Nuffield Health are investing heavily this month to upgrade their gym facilities with an launch event planned on the 24th June. It will be a great opportunity for you and your family to experience the state of the art facilities while contributing towards an important cause and enjoy some badminton.
Please buy your tickets or offer to volunteer here by clicking the button below.
Format and rules:
As this is the inaugural Badminton Cup from our society the format and rules of the event will be determined by the number of registrations we receive by 20th June.