As we become part of the global community embracing the true meaning of ‘Vasudhev Kutumbkam’ here follows a concise autobiography of our own Ilford gentleman, well known and respected in the community. We thank his family members for contributing the words in celebration of his 88th birthday.
Basheshar Bhanot was born in Ballow Majra, now in Chandigarh, on 17th November 1932.
After his Primary education in Kharar he moved to Ambala City to live with his Uncle and successfully passed his Matriculation Examination in 1950 from Anglo Sanskrit High school. He boarded in the school hostel where morning sandhya and Sunday hawan became unique features of life.
In 1950 he joined his brothers in Lodhi Road, a posh colony of New Delhi and enrolled in a course of shorthand and typewriting. His first job to work facilitating India’s first General Election and later with Delhi Government Education Department.
He moved to Chandigarh to work in the Chief Engineer’s Office and to live with his dad, a trained teacher and a scholar in Persian which helped him to clear A level in Persian as an Elective Subject to study for his degree course. He then went back to Delhi in 1956 and joined University Grants Commission and Punjab University Camp College, evening college, for his master’s degree. Marriage followed and they moved to Nairobi, Kenya with his wife Krishna Prasher in June 1958.
After working for 6 months in a big English Company in Nairobi, he got a teaching job with the Education Department working in Kitale and Kisumu. By now he had 3 children Shashi, Ravi and Ritu. The Inspector of schools asked him to do a teaching diploma course to advance his career in teaching which he took up at Sheffield University during 1964- 65. He returned to Kisumu, Kenya and served there till December 1972. Seema his youngest daughter was born now too.
With Africanization looming Mr and Mrs Bhanot decided to move to the UK with their young family.
His long teaching experience and being a qualified teacher enabled him to bag his first teaching job which he performed diligently. Following retirement in the year 2000, he continued teaching part-time in Valentines High School.
Life got even more exciting and fulfilling after retirement when he devoted even more time to social and Community Service.
Between 1985 and 1987 he served as the Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (UK) in Ilford and was instrumental in obtaining the building of the temple. The Temple has been a focal point for the Hindu community. He organised the Viraat Hindu Samalen held in 1988 in Milton Keynes for East London Region.
He was the Secretary for Overseas Friends of B.J.P (U.K) East London Branch. He also served on the North East Thames Authority Ilford looking after the interest of Ethnic Minority people in hospitals, Redbridge Race Relations Council and Ilford Police and Community Consultative Group.
In 1988 he represented the Vishwa Hindu Parishad at their World conferences held in Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, also later in Frankfurt, Germany.
“We also attended the World Hindu Conference held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies where he presented a paper on the problems being faced by our youngsters in the Western world.” says Mr.Bhanot
In 1990- 2018 Mr Bhanot served as Secretary/Chairman of Overseas friends of the BJP(U.K) East London branch.
He attended many R.S.S SHIBIRS held in India, including Vodora in 1995, in Ahmedabad in 2000, Mumbai in 2005, Pune in 2010 and Indore in 2015. He attended the V.H.P conferences in Delhi, Bali and at Mayapuri in West Bengal.
In 2014-2018 – He was the Vice President of the Overseas Friends of the BJP (U.K) and was incredibly involved in Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Wembley Stadium in 2015.
He was instrumental in acquiring funds to buy the clinic next to the temple by raising family donations and an interest-free loan to the VHP Ilford, making a significant contribution to the Hindu community success story. He always takes part in Sewa week and collection of food for homeless people in Ilford and any charitable work he can do.
Whenever he went to India either from Kenya or from England, he made it a point to visit Haridwar, the sacred city for the Hindus, to bathe in the cold water at Har ki Pauri in River Ganga. It is said that Lord Shiva used to come to this place for a bath, hence, it is so important even these days. An evening Maha arti draws huge crowds of devotees at Har ki pauri daily.
He also does charity work there, feeding the poor people assembled there and giving dakshana (donations) to Brahmins.
Because of his love for India, he bought a new house in Gurugram and spent some quality time with relatives and friends for 15 years.
His Top tips lessons of life:
***Education: It is the best investment of life. We did our best and all four children did very well, and all are settled successfully in life.
***Health is wealth and always paid full attention not only for us but also looked after our children in their young age.
“I am happy to say that I am blessed as I am enjoying life with four generations of my family.” ‘
The foregoing illustrates how a common man against all the odds in whichever country they settle or move to can achieve so much.
It is heart-warming tale of achieving success through sheer hard work, continuing to be a devout Hindu, raise a decent family and still have time to look after others.
By partaking in many charitable activities Mr. Bhanot has adhered to one of the Upnishad’s famous mantra ‘Tena tyaktena bhunjitha’ meaning ‘Renounce and Enjoy’.
Certainly, a life playbook for anyone wondering how to be successful with humility.
We at Eshadoot salute Mr. Bhanot and wish him robust health, peace, and happiness and urge him to continue his efforts being a beacon of our community.
Jai Hind:DeshPremi
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Very inspiring to read. He is a real hero of our community.
Thank you Surendra Gautam, Our Hindu Community Leader and a Trustee of VHP.ILFORD for your wonderful work in the art of journalism. Your creation, Eshadoot, is a well respected and very welcome source of information to our community.
I must thank Mr. Alok Upadhaya, Ex Chairman, V.H. P. Ilford for his compliments. We will definitely see more of you after the lockdown. Regards.
I have sent you a cheque through the post for Eshadoot.
Haven’t you received it?
Thank you