Kanu Patel honoured with QSM

Leading community leader and respected and long time member of the Auckland Indian Association, Kanu Patel, has been honoured with a Queen’s Service Medal in recognition of services to the Indian community during the New Year’s awards.

“In receiving the Queen’s Service Medal in recognition of my services to the Indian community, I thank my late father Chhaganlal Gosai and the incredible team of volunteers who give their selfless services to the Indian community without any recognition,” he told Indian Weekender.

“My father worked hard for the community all his life and was the founding Trustee of Jalaram Temple in Leicester, UK, and was also instrumental in building a temple in our village in India,” Mr Patel said.

Outlining the influence of his father during his younger days Mr Patel said, “Two key values my father instilled in me at an early age were honesty and credibility. To him they were the pillars of living a successful life and more important than wealth.”

Mr Patel praised the volunteers who have worked selflessly to make the Auckland Indian Association what it is today. “The Auckland Indian Association and Mahatma Gandhi Centre have been blessed with committed volunteers and officers. Many have given longer service to the community than I have. I just happen to have a leadership role and my services have been recognised by the New Zealand Government,” he said.

“My greatest satisfaction has been seeing the Indian community, and many others, enjoying the Mahatma Gandhi Centre facilities and the spiritual blessings they receive at the Radha Krishna Temple.”

Commenting on the future, Mr Patel said, “There is much more to be achieved but we will leave future vision and goals for another time.