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The PRINCE of WALES & The DUCHESS CORNWALL visited Gurdwara Sri Singh Sabha, Hounslow on Monday 13th March 2006
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(The following is a full text of Mohan Singh Nayyar's welcome speech, made on behalf of the Gurdwara)

Your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I have the privileged honour of welcoming you all to this recently completed new annexe to Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha complex, a phase 2 development to meet the growing needs of the Sikh community. Phase1, the construction of the main building, the building that you would have faced on entry into the main car park, was completed in 1992, which, than was the first ever specifically designed and constructed Gurdwara building in the UK, for until then, churches, halls, warehouses, and residential premises were bought and converted for use as Gurdwara. However, after 1992 many more have been designed and constructed. You may wish to be aware that cost for the site purchase, building construction, furnishings, and for running the institution has been met exclusively by the Sikh community.For those who may not be familiar, Gurdwara is for the Sikhs like Church for Christians, Mosque for Moslems, Mandhir for Hindus and Synagogue for Jews. We are grateful to Maharajah Duleep Singh Centenary Trust for having the confidence in choosing this Gurdwara for today’s event. Perhaps more importantly, we are indebted for the wonderful opportunity, to welcome His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, and of course all of you, the distinguished guests present here today.When Gurdwara was approached by Maharajah Daleep Singh Centenary Trust, there was no hesitation in agreeing to accommodate the visit, being a Sikh institution which is attempting to revive the true purpose of a Gurdwara, by re-establishing the institution on the original concept for a Gurdwara as enshrined by our Sikh Guru’s over 500 years ago, that is to be a focal point and a centre for meeting religious, educational, welfare, social and sporting needs, with benefits to be enjoyed by the whole of Hounslow’s local community. For, when following established Sikh doctrine, the showing of respect and provision of beneficial services would be a natural outcome for any Sikh institution, being based on a belief that there is One God, with different religions and languages giving various names and descriptions to identify the same Universal Being. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh Faith stressed the importance of every individual to live in accordance with his or her own faith and also to have the right to do so. It was to support this principal that the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji acquired martyrdom in Delhi in 1675.It is believed that the practice of ones faith helps to bring discipline in oneself, thus ensuing respect for other faiths and fellow beings. It follows that it is not a person’s faith but deeds that determines his or her true standing.Therefore, in keeping with Sikh teachings, this Gurdwara has attempted to provide various services. In this respect, recognising the necessity for appropriate skills, knowledge and experience, Gurdwara is always on the lookout for availability of appropriate expertise to help in the delivery of required services.For instance, we have over 400 children learning Panjabi, music and martial arts together with availability of assistance for GCSE and ‘A’ Levels. They are taught by retired and part-time teachers In addition, Panjabi and English is taught to adults, together with correct reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib for both young and old. The teaching of English is in partnership with West Thames College, which is being explored to broaden availability of necessary courses.As part of education programme we also hold inductions and seminars, both at the Gurdwara and on employers premises, participate in diversity events, encourage visits to and from schools and distribute literature in order to increase awareness and better understanding and help remove any ignorance and fear, acknowledged as major factors which contribute to prejudicial tendencies.It is recognised that many find it a daunting experience to visit appropriate agencies for advice and support. With Gurdwara being more inviting, Disability Network Hounslow, The Pension Service, Citizens Advice Bureau, Drug & Alcohol Addiction Service, Hounslow Primary Care Trust, Diabetes Awareness, Healthy Eating and Defra, hold regular surgeries, with both the Gurdwara congregation and local community benefiting. Gurdwara is also a Third Party Reporting Centre and houses the Race Hate Crime Coordinator. With cooperation from a local church in South Africa, support is given to orphans of Aid victims. Gurdwara also runs free eye camps in Panjab, where medical checks are also included. In addition, awareness about self examination and early identification of breast cancer together with perils of alcohol and drug addiction is also given.Gurdwara runs football teams for adults and various age groups down to 9 years. Martial art is also taught. During school summer holidays, summer camps are held and annual 10 kilometres sponsored walk is organised for the whole family. Gurdwara also annually recognises academic, sporting and other achievements by both young and old.This is a brief flavour of some of the many services Gurdwara delivers.

With Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s blessings, continuing congregation’s cooperation and financial contributions, together with the confidence derived from sincere support and encouragement from distinguished people like those gathered here today, we feel that we can only succeed.Thank you