5 March Hoshiarpur- Sarva Dharma Sadbhavana Samiti Hoshiarpur organised tribute ceremony for Hindu Council UK President Umesh Chandra Sharma and Shri Ram Mandir Southall London at Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary Model School Shimla Pahadi Mall Road. Umesh Chandra Sharma left his body on 20 February 2025 in London, Anurag Sood, President of Vidya Mandir Sanstha told that Umesh ji received his schooling from Vidya Mandir and later from SD School.
After completing his BSc, he moved to London. There he was also the Mayor of Ealing Council. He worked there as an honorary magistrate for life. His biggest achievement was to form the League of Friends of India with the then Labour Party MP Stephen Pound. He made Shri Ram Mandir Southall the center of propagation of Indian culture in the UK and as President of Hindu Council UK, he tied Hindu temples across the UK together.
On this occasion, MLA Brahmshankar Jimpa said that Umesh Chandra Sharma has brought laurels to Hoshiarpur in foreign countries. He was born in a Sanskrit family of Hoshiarpur. His grandfather Pandit Lalji Ram had contributed significantly in the establishment of Sanatan Dharma Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya. He had appointed many scholars from Hoshiarpur to carry out religious activities at Shri Ram Mandir Southall. He was the flag bearer of Indian culture there.
Former Mayor Shiv Sood said that when he went to London, Umesh ji had told him in detail about the cultural activities there and he was told by Muhammad Naseem Khan of Ahmadiya Muslim Community Qadian that he had close relations with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the world spiritual head of Ahmadiya Community and he was also an S.K. He also highlighted the untouched aspects of his character.
The students of Vidya Mandir chanted Gayatri Mantra in a loud voice. Dr. Prem Lal, Principal Aarti Sood Mehta, Professor Tracy Kohli, Dr. Harshwinder Singh Pathania, Dr. Dharampal Sahil, Sheikh Manan, Principal Shobha Rani, Rajpal Sood, Principal Malkiyat Kumar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.