The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Charlie Bhowmick's Aluva connection

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 08, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Charlie Bhowmick's Aluva connection

It is good news for C. G. Sajith, of Aluva that his long lasting friend Charlie Bhowmick has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list in the U.K. The 68-year-old will become a Member of the British Empire for his services to race and inter-faith relations in Keighley.

Charlie came to Keighley College from Kolkota in 1954 to study mechanical engineering. In 1963 he became the first Asian to work in local Government in Keighley Town Hall as a planning officer. He retired in 1994, aged 57.

Charlie converted to Christianity in 1955 and was a member of the Temple Street Methodist Church until it became a mosque. He has worked hard for overseas missionary movements for 40 years.

In 2000 Charlie founded Keighley's Inter-Faith Group in a bid to bring the town's many religions closer together and promote friendship and harmony.

Sajith, a retired office superintendent at the Kerala High Court, is the host whenever Charlie visits India. The family ties continues even today after Sajith's brother met Charlie during a train journey from Kolkota to Chennai during the early fifties and stayed in Chennai when his ship to London was delayed for three weeks.

The honours overseas has brought cheers in the distant land of Aluva and the family members of Sajith are eagerly looking forward to the next visit of their valued guest.

K. Venkiteswaran

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