PROFILE – RAMESH MAJITHIA

This photograph was taken in front of the display board Ramesh put together for the BBC Radio Leicester Exhibition 1967 to 2007.

Ramesh was born in Tanzania and studied in England for a BSc in Engineering. He married Kirti in 1970 and has lived in Evington for the past 38 years. They have one son, Preet. Ramesh taught Maths and Technical Drawing at New Parks and Newarke School. He enjoyed his career but says “retirement is the time when life starts”.

At his local temple, Shree Sanatan Mandir, on Weymouth Street (tel: 266 1402), Ramesh is a host to visitors from schools, colleges, universities, religious and other institutions from the East Midlands and beyond. He explains the Hindu religion and makes people feel most welcome. A typical visit starts with observing the morning Arti followed by a talk and a question-and-answer session. He averages 2 to 3 visits a week throughout the year. Ramesh has contributed articles about Hinduism in The Times ‘World Religion' book and is the editor of a 92-page yearly magazine published by the temple and written in both English and Gujerati. As a long standing member of the Council of Faiths, Ramesh has been involved in working with Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Baha'is to promote the idea that a community can live harmoniously together and come closer in understanding. He is a member of the ‘SACRE' group (Standing Advisory Conference of Religious Education) and was their chairman in 2007. SACRE monitors Religious Education in all the City schools and is involved in drawing up the syllabus. Ramesh is also on the committee for the Interfaith Group that meets monthly for talks and discussions.