 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This beautiful part of Wales has been home to people of Indian origin for many decades. By the 1970s there was a strong sense of community emerging among Indians in the area, but there was no broad forum for this nascent community to come together.
The Indian Society of South West Wales was established in 1983. Among the Society's founders were people of vision, like (late) Coun. Meher Chand Verma, community worker and educationist, and Mr.Rameshwar (Ray) Singh, eminent barrister and judge.
Building on the firm foundations laid down by them, the Society has continued to progress. One significant challenge has been the growing size of the Indian community in the area. Membership has grown correspondingly and the Society has adapted well to the changing dynamics and demographics of the community. Geography too has been a factor, the community being spread out through the region. So while the Society is centered on the city of Swansea, it covers an area from Bridgend in the east to Pembrokeshire in the west.
At the heart of the Society's functioning are the Constitution and the Executive Committee. The Constitution was revised in 1999 in keeping with the Society's aspirations to attain charitable status and to acquire a permanent home.
Up till now it has been a productive and enjoyable journey for the Society, building relationships and making friends. Apart from organising social get togethers; the Society holds events to mark occasions like Diwali and the Indian Republic Day. Members participate in public events like the Lord Mayor's carnival (we have even won the "best float" prize), Human Race Marquee in the annual Swansea show, South Wales Police open day, Indian 'Melas' etc. The Society has also at various times organised language teaching for children, away trips like the one to the Houses of Parliament and participated in events like "Telethon".
The Society has sponsored a variety of music and dance performances - folk, light and classical (including prominent artists like Nitin Sawhney and Tabla maestro Shiv Shankar Ray), and in recent years has raised significant amounts of money for causes like Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Gujarat earthquake and Asian Tsunami.
As the Society approaches its Silver Jubilee, a constant influx of fresh ideas are crucial to its success to fulfill its role as the forum for the cultural and social needs of the Indian community, and to provide a sense of identity and belonging. The diversity of the Indian community is enriching in itself. At the same time the Society has maintained an inclusive and progressive outlook, reaching out to build a constructive interaction with other minority groups as well as the wider community in Wales.
