Sanjay Gadhvi
Chairperson DiL 2023
Chairperson DIL 2016
Chairperson DIL 2008
DIL Committee Member
Sanjay, a dynamic enterpreneur, is a senior member of Iskcon, Hare Krishna Temple, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Herts. Sanjay is a founding member of (DiL), Diwali In London Committee. He is a also a CEO of The Lotus Trust, an Iskcon Charity.
Nitin Palan M.B.E
Chairperson 2022
Chairperson 2018
Chairperson 2007
DIL Committee Member
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Nitinbhai is a very successful businesman, representing BAPS as their National Interfaith Coordinator. He is a co-founder and has been serving with the DIL Committee from its inception.
Nitinbhai was awarded MBE in June 2017 for services to interfaith relations. He is a campaigner for economic and social development, a philanthropist with an expertise in business management and community relations.
Krushali Kataria
Chair Team 2022
DIL Committee Member
BAPS
Krushali Kataria is a Chartered Accountant and works within the Financial Services industry in London. She is a dedicated volunteer with BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, prior to which she also volunteered with BAPS in Melbourne, Australia. She has a great interest in traditional Indian music and the classical Kathak dance form which she has trained in growing up. She loves travelling, and enjoys creative photography.
Kesh Morjaria
Chair Team 2022
DIL Committee Member
BAPS
Kesh Morjaria is an ex-businessman with extensive experience in retail, social media marketing and consulting. He now works as a business consultant for various organisations and is also a long-standing, dedicated volunteer of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga, spiritual debates, traveling and spending time with his family.
Shivali Nathwani
Chairperson 2021
DIL Committee Member
Sai School Harrow
Shivali of Sai School of Harrow is the first student to take on the Youth Coordinator role. She has been nominated and received awards for voluntary service over several years. She has assisted with stage performance and volunteers for DIL for the last 4 years.
Nilesh Badiani
Co- Chairperson 2021
DIL Committee Member
Sai School Harrow
Nilesh is a Trustee of Sai School Harrow. He has many years experience of event management with his dedicated volunteer & youth team, and is a winner of the Mayor of London's Peace Award 2010. He has been the Volunteer Coordinator for DIL for the past 6 years.
Nishit Kotak
DIL Committee Member
Sai School Harrow
Ranu Mehta-Radia
Co-Chairperson 2021
DIL Chair Person 2010
DIL Committee Member
Sai School Harrow
Ranuben is the Founder & Chair of Sai School of Harrow, an award winning citizenship & value based School. She has 30 years' experience working in the community including disabilities, interfaith & performing arts. She has been stage coordinator for DIL for the past 7 years.
Chhaya Mirpuri
DIL Committee Member
Sai School Harrow
Jaymini Patel
Dil Chairperson 2020
DiLChairperson 2009
DIL Committee Member
Brahma Kumaris
Sister Jaymini is a dynamic speaker and spiritual teacher and plays a major role in the administration of the Brahma Kumaris organisation in the UK. This is driven by her passion for humanity. In her company, things begin to happen as she acts as catalyst in making a difference.
Urvashi Patel
Co-Chairperson 2020
Brahma Kumaris
Urvashi Patel has been with the Brahma Kumaris for over 40 years. She is part of Brahma Kumaris UK properties co-ordinating team and finds her key to success is teamwork. Urvashi has also been an integral part of large events for Brahma Kumaris including SSE Arena, Wembley. She has been serving with the DIL committee for the past 17 years, where her key role has been working with the production teams managing the event.
Madhusudhan
DIL Committee Member
Chinmaya Mission UK
Dr Vaadiyar Madhusudhan (Madhu) PhD is a Senior Business Manager in technology transfer working for a medical research charity in London. A follower of Swami Chinmayananda since his youth and he has been a long standing sevak of the Chinmaya Mission primarily through its musical wing, Chinmaya Swaranjali (UK). He has also been coordinating and conducting outreach activities on behalf of the Mission at various external venues to help spread the timeless wisdom of Vedanta to children, young people and adults of all ages and backgrounds.
Alpesh Patel
DIL Committee Member
City Hindu Network
Alpesh Patel OBE
Alpesh is a hedge fund manager and Chairman of the City Hindu Network and The India League (est 1928). He is one of the Government’s Dealmakers in the Department for International Trade and a Financial Times author. A former Barrister he is co-Chair of the Loomba Trust which supports widows and orphans. He heads the www.CampaignforaMillion.com to spread investment knowledge to a million people.
Toots Beckett
DIL Committee Member
Brahma Kumaris
Toots Beckett is a student at the Brahma Kumaris and is based at Global Cooperation House in London. Since 2005, Toots continues to be involved with Diwali in London. Toots works as a Welfare Officer in a large London primary school and also has a keen interest in interfaith work.
Dipti Khatry
DIL Committee Member
Brahma Kumaris
Dipti has been studying Raja Yoga with the Brahma Kumaris for over 25 years whilst supporting the work of investment bankers. Working alongside traders, Dipti has used the values developed through her spiritual journey to maintain a sense of calm in the fast-paced city environment. Dipti now spends more time supporting the work of charities and communities. Dipti has been a member of Diwali in London since 2013, helping the committee deliver a successful Diwali on Trafalgar Square.
Minesh Shah
DIL Committee Member
Oshwal Association of the UK
Minesh Shah is an accountant by profession currently working for TFL. He has been involved with the OAUK firstly as a Vice Chair of the North West Area and currently hold the OAUK HON. Secretary position. He is has been involved in organising a number of large scale entertainment programmes for OAUK including the summer mela and the Oshwal careers and health fairs.
Mira Kaushik
PAST DIL Committee Member
With a background in literature, film, theatre and television, her professional experience includes TV and audience research for the BBC, translation, broadcasting, working with the Asian Women’s Voluntary Organisation and coordinating the Festival of India at the Commonwealth Institute.
During her tenure as Director of Akademi (formerly known as the Academy of Indian Dance) from 1987 to 2019, the organisation excelled as a strategic arts development body of global importance through its work with audiences reaching millions.
Antareepa Thakur
DIL Committee Member
Akademi
Antareepa is a marketing professional with extensive experience of working with corporate companies, government bodies and charities. She has worked with organisations such as British Council and Taj Group of Hotels, leading on their marketing strategies, business development initiatives, digital and traditional media campaigns and public relations.
As the Head of Marketing and Sales at Akademi South Asian Dance UK, she is responsible for producing their bespoke performances and running their marketing, branding, and press campaigns. Antareepa is also a Fellow of Royal Society of Arts.
Subathra Subramaniam
DIL Committee Member
Akademi
Subathra Subramaniam is the Artistic Director of Akademi South Asian Dance UK and one of UK’s leading choreographers and educators working at the confluence of dance, culture and science having spent over 20 years as Artistic Director of two of the UK’s pioneering South Asian dance companies - Angika and Sadhana Dance. Creating work for theatres, festivals, and alternative spaces, Subathra’s works have toured both nationally and internationally. As an Educator, Suba was Co-Education Director of Cape Farwell where she co-organised two voyages to the High Arctic and was instrumental in writing resources for science and geography curricula. She is regularly invited to speak at international conferences including British Council in Thailand, Cuba, Canada and Egypt and the International Public Engagement Conference for the Wellcome Trust, Mumbai.
Sudhir bhai Shah
PAST DIL Committee Member
Oshwal Association, UK
I have been a Trustee at Oshwal since past 13 years, I am the Editor of OSHWAL News magazine posted to six thousand members. At Potters Bar our head quarters we have the Jain Temple you must pay us a visit Happy Diwali to all our friends.
Mallesh Kota
Co - Chairperson DiL 2019
DIL Committee Member
Telugu Association of London (TAL)
Mallesh is a Trustee of Telugu Associaiton of London (TAL) a charity working for Telugu community in London. He looks after cultural activities of TAL.
He is an IT proefessional delivering key projects in digital content. He also supports and volunteers for other chairties across the UK.
Ravi Bhanot
Chairperson DIL 2017
DIL Committee Member
Vishwa Hindu Parishad
Ravi Bhanot is Director of Coolherbals Ltd. He is a researcher, author and entrepreneur in natural health and beauty. He is Trustee of Make It Beat Charity, Co Founder of Sewa Week, Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, Justice of Peace, Committee member of the VHP Ilford Hindu temple and is in the Top 100 Asian Power Couples in the UK.
PAST Member Satya Minhas
Chairperson DIL 2015
Deputy Chairperson Metropolitan Police Hindu Association
Satya is the longest serving member of the Metropolitan Police Hindu Association and has been actively reviewing and protecting Hindu Police officers, members of staff and community interests by securing fair and just resolutions.
Satya is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors in London and until recently, he was a Internal Audit Manager within the Mayor of London Policing and Crime, Directorate of Audit, Risk & Assurance. His report on Gifts and Hospitality has been cited in Lord Justice Leveson's Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press.
Varsha Mistry
Deputy-Chairperson DIL 2015
DIL Committee Member
Chairperson Metropolitan Police Hindu Association
Varsha is a Forensic Practitioner in the Metropolitan Police Service, engaged in laboratory and crime scene work, relating to pan London serious crime investigation. She has additionally been an active member of the MPHA, voluntarily reviewing policy formation and organising spiritual, cultural, social and charitable networking events for the membership and partners. Varsha is also on the panel of the Hindu Christian Forum.
Jaymini Patel
DIL Chair Person 2009
DIL Committee Member
Brahma Kumaris
Sister Jaymini is a dynamic speaker and spiritual teacher and plays a major role in the administration of the Brahma Kumaris organisation in the UK. This is driven by her passion for humanity. In her company, things begin to happen as she acts as catalyst in making a difference.