BAPS Youth Leader Conferred Prestigious Diana Award

Nimisha Thanki, a youth leader at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Loughborough, has been presented the esteemed Diana Award for her ability to “improve and inspire the lives of others.” The award is a prestigious and lasting celebration of the work of the late Princess of Wales. It “recognises the selfless and positive contributions made by young people to their schools, communities, families or friends,“ and is awarded to “exceptional people who have become positive role models for a generation”.

Nimisha, aged 17, was selected from thousands who are nominated for the award in recognition of her outstanding voluntary work in inspiring the lives of others and selflessly serving the community. The award, established in 1997, was signed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Nimisha devotes much of her time to helping at her local mandir. She manages the female youth wing of the community every Friday evening and is part of the decoration team for all events. She ensures that she is available whenever required and is ever willing and eager to help others. She’s also a great motivator, encouraging others to help as much as they can as well.

Outside of the mandir, Nimisha is a part of a sports leaders organisation which consists of young people performing voluntary work in the community and at schools and clubs. She is also a coach for various sports activities in schools and colleges, working with children and youths aged between 8 and 18. In addition, Nimisha is a community volunteer for many charities outside of school and helps raise money for awareness. She regularly helps out at a youth club, teaching children sport and other activities. At college, she is a school council member and is also a trained referee in hockey and badminton.

“Volunteering with BAPS is really fulfilling,” she shares, “because you get to meet and help so many people and also bring out your own talents. That’s what sparked it off for me, to go out and help others in the community as well.”

When asked what has been her source of inspiration, she explained, “It has to be Pramukh Swami Maharaj, my spiritual guru. He has given me so much inspiration to do what I am doing right now. It is because of him that I am doing this voluntary work and taking it that step further to not only do as much as I can within BAPS but also help the community around me at the same time. I always keep in mind his words, ‘In the joy of others, lies our own.’”

We wish Nimisha all the best in her academic life ahead and her continuing services for the community.

For further information about the Diana Award, click here.

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