Indian Languages Awareness Board UK

Mrs Rakhi Bansal

Honourable Adviser

Rakhi Bansal is a dedicated advocate for Hindi and Sanskrit and she holds an MA in Library and Information Science from Indira Gandhi National Open University. Currently, Rakhi serves as a Specialist Assessor and Examiner at the University of Cambridge, Director of Beacon Books Publication Limited, and Joint General Secretary of the Gitanjali Multilingual Literary Circle. She is also Managing Editor for Aadhunik Sahitya UK and Special Correspondent for Aadhunik Sahitya India. Rakhi founded the Birmingham Satsang Sangam to engage young people with Hindi and Sanskrit and has taught these languages through curriculum design and examination development. Her library science work includes automating the library at Nansen Primary School and volunteering as a librarian, reflecting her lifelong commitment to education and cultural heritage.

Language Scientist

Sardar Kuldip Singh Chahal 

Honourable Adviser

Sardar Kuldip Singh Chahal's language expertise spans English, Japanese, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, with Japanese proficiency certified at Level 1 of the JETRO Business Japanese Proficiency Test.

With a unique international background as a British passport holder, permanent resident of Japan, and Overseas Citizen of India, Kuldip has built a distinguished career bridging cultural and business gaps between Asia and the West. His experience includes serving  as Coordinator for International Relations at Iwakura Municipal Government Office in Japan, where he played a crucial role in promoting international understanding and establishing business links.

Beyond his professional commitments, Kuldip maintains an active presence in community service, volunteering as an Independent Custody Visitor for Sussex Police Authority and serving on School Admissions Appeal Panels. His dedication to cross-cultural understanding is further demonstrated through his voluntary interpretation services for the Japanese Olympic team during the 2012 London Olympics.

Sardar Baljinder Singh Rathour

Honourable Adviser

Immigration Lawyer in London' Director of London Investment Baljinder Singh Rathour has been working in the field of Global Investment, Employment, Immigration, Education, Security, Management & Administration for the past 37 years with network in 150 countries, has undertaken job responsibilities in various portfolios in Government & Private Sector.

Sardar Sarabjeet Singh Dhak

Honourable Adviser

Sarabjeet Singh Dhak, born in Pagwara, India, is a distinguished graduate of Indian universities who currently resides in Derby, UK. Over the past 25 years, Sarabjeet has carved out a notable career in the media industry, excelling in multiple roles including writer, actor, singer, TV presenter, and producer.

His extensive experience and versatility have earned him widespread recognition, culminating in prestigious accolades such as the UK National Bhangra Award for Best TV Presenter in 2023. This accolade speaks to his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.

One of Sarabjeet's most successful ventures is his show "WAH BAI WAH," which has garnered significant acclaim not only in the UK but also worldwide. The show's popularity is a testament to his ability to connect with audiences across different cultures and demographics.

Multilingual and culturally adept, Sarabjeet is fluent in English, Hindi, Italian, and Punjabi. This linguistic proficiency enables him to engage with a diverse audience, enhancing his appeal and accessibility as a media personality.

Sarabjeet's contributions to the media landscape are marked by his passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence. As he continues to thrive in his career, he remains a prominent figure in the media industry, inspiring many with his journey and achievements.

Mrs Krishna Baruah

Honourable Adviser

Krishna Baruah has been a resident of Kent for over 30 years and originally hails from Assam, India. Arriving in the UK in the 1970s with an Honours Degree. Krishna is currently the first female President of the United Kingdom Hindu Cultural Association and has been dedicated to community work for over 37 years. She represented India at International Mother Language Day and was honoured with the “She Inspires” award at the House of Commons in 2024. Her initiatives include raising funds for Uttarakhand flood relief and promoting Assamese culture through teaching dance, songs, and language to children. Krishna’s commitment to education and cultural preservation continues to enrich her community.

Sushil Rapatwar

Honourable Adviser

Sushil-ji brings immense experience promoting Marathi language and culture, having spearheaded London Marathi Sammelan in 2017 and having served as the President for three terms. He was the first one to start broadcasting regional language program on BHF Radio when at the time we proposed adding more regional languages and got few languages in board, including Marathi, Telugu and Tamil. He continues to be Marathi RJ. Other than language engagement, he is Umpire with Badminton England and has umpired multiple teams at All England Badminton Championships here and other international tournaments in Greece, Iceland, Poland, Spain etc.

Mrs Inderpal Kaur Chandel

Honourable Adviser

himachali@indianlab.co.uk

Mrs. Inderpal Kaur Chandel, a proud mother of three, is a Lecturer of Mathematics in Further Education, co-director of PreciousCoffer Ltd (Construction) with her husband, Anil, and co-founder of SmadFun , a registered not-for-profit committed to promoting equity in education. Through SmadFun, they fundraise for educational needs in Southall, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they launched 'SmadFun Masala', with all proceeds directed towards supporting educational resources for children. A *Mental Health First Aider* , Inderpal believes that music and art are healing and can play a vital role in mental well-being. This philosophy is reflected in SmadFun's Antakshari programs and her past experience as a Radio Jockey *(RJ)* on an Asian radio station, where she connected with audiences through the power of music. Born in London to a Hindu father and Sikh mother, with roots in Punjab and married into a Himachali Rajput family, Inderpal embodies the power of cultural diversity and harmony. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, and a student of Pahari, she sees language as a vital tool to foster cross-generational and intergenerational connections, preserve heritage, and build bridges between communities. As co-founder of Himachali Link UK , Inderpal connects the Himachali diaspora, celebrates the regions traditions and culture, promotes tourism to Himachal, while strengthening ties within the UK community through Bharat Links. A passionate advocate for her Punjabi heritage , she regularly represents it. Additionally, Inderpal is a key part of the Community Champions project for Ealing Council, where she works to empower and uplift local communities.