89-year-old high profile lawyer and a community and inter-faith leader in Birmingham, Mr Sewa Singh Mandla has been appointed Officer of British Empire (OBE) in acknowledgement of his 50 years’ legal, human rights and selfless community voluntary service in West Midlands.
Mr Mandla, volunteer at the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) and a trustee at the Nishkam Civic Association Handsworth, Birmingham, has been recognised for his substantial contribution to the community and his inter-faith development work in the region.
He has successfully connected his professional work in law with spirituality to make a difference to the UK community. His determination to follow through projects and tasks is one of his exceptional qualities.
Mr Mandla is frequently requested to represent the views of the Sikh community in the media. He also volunteers to host television programmes on health and wellbeing and Kirtan on Sikh TV channels.
On being awarded the OBE in the Queen’s 90th birthday Honours list, Mr Mandla said “I am greatly humbled and feel privileged to be receiving this honour from HM the Queen. I thank Almighty God for this blessing and my spiritual master, Bhai Sahib Ji whose guidance has never failed me.
I pray that I live up to the expectations of all those who placed their faith, trust and confidence in me.” He added “I have accepted this appointment on behalf of the Sikh and wider communities that I am privileged to serve here in Birmingham and West Midlands. This award is a recognition of the importance that community work and faith is playing in the secular world.”
