The community movement in Hounslow received another significant boost last week with the emergence of a new popular movement - the Cranford Heston Alliance (CHA).
ICG councillors Paul and Shirley Fisher were the guest speakers at a very well-attended launch meeting which was supported by local residents, traders and even political figures and dignitaries from the Indian sub-continent.
The new organisation is spearheaded by former Labour councillors Sarbjit Gill and Parmod Kad MBE. Its aim is to sweep away the party political domination of community life in Cranford and Heston and to give the community a real voice in local affairs.
Resident Amar Singh Dhaliwal (front, right) said: "Local residents are fed up with not being able to get anything done around here and have even had to resort to contacting councillors from the opposite end of the borough with their complaints. What we need is real local representation which puts the people first".
The CHA has indicated its intention to field candidates in the 2010 local elections, and its campaign will receive active and practical support from the ICG.
Last month I wrote briefly about a double 21st birthday celebration that I attended at the Laxami Narayan Hindu Temple in Hounslow. I've only just received the official photos, one of which I reproduce above.
From left to right: myself, Sukhi Maras (Cranford community activist), Bittu Kapoor (son of the late Balwant Kapoor), Dr. Phool, DL Kalhan (General Secretary Indian Overseas Congress UK and now President), Brahm Mohindra (MLA Punjab Government, former Health Minister, Punjab State), Councillor Gurcharan Singh (former Mayor of Ealing and Conservative PPC for Ealing Southall), Parmod Kad (former Labour Executive member, London Borough of Hounslow), Jassi Khangoora (MLA Punjab Government and entrepreneur), Pandit Ramesh Sharma (Hindu Priest), Sarbjit Singh Gill (President Indian Overseas Welfare Association UK and former Labour councillor, London Borough of Hounslow), Amarjit Singh Dhillon (former Vice President Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Southall), Karamjit Singh Kheha (businessman), Dalbir Cheema (former Labour Mayor of Hounslow), Councillor Manjit Singh (Conservative, London Borough of Ealing) and Mr. Tamna (businessman).
The community movement in Hounslow received another significant boost last week with the emergence of a new popular movement - the Cranford Heston Alliance (CHA).
