Dr Ramesh Pattni’s ceremony for the award of OBE – 9th November 2021

I finally attended the ceremony for the award of OBE that had been postponed since the Covid lockdown in March 2020. The event took place on the 9th of November 2021. The award presentation was part of the first face-to-face ceremony Prince William has hosted since the start of the pandemic.

During the ceremony, I had a brief chat with Prince William on the voluntary work I had been recognised for, including contributions to interfaith relations and work for the Hindu community in the UK. I have been actively engaged in interfaith relations over the last 2 decades and I am also a founder member of the Hindu Christian Forum UK, and I am a former director of Interfaith Network UK. I am also working with different Hindu organisations in the UK in senior roles including Vice-President of Chinmaya Mission UK, Vice-President of Hindu Forum Britain, and a trustee of the Hindu Education Board UK. I have been an advisor for the Hindu Help Hub that was particularly active during the pandemic, providing services to vulnerable and isolated people.

I believe this honour is for the whole of the Hindu community. I proudly acknowledge the support of my entire family in the work I have been involved and thank them for their continued support and encouragement, especially my wife, Murli. I would like to dedicate this honour to my spiritual guide, Swami Chinmayananda, who had inspired and encouraged me follow the path of selflessly serving the community and society at large.