Selfless and relentless effort gets her an MBE

The UK was just being introduced to cultural diversity via an influx of immigration in the 1950s, which is when the now 74-year-old Surinder Kaur Ghura, came to Newcastle Upon Tyne from Jalandhar. She was nine then.
Her perseverance in inter-faith services to the community over the past forty years has aided understanding and tolerance in the area and has now earned her the honour of an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).This is awarded to those whose dedication, in the eyes of the British Royal Family, has greatly aided the country. This resulted in Ghura visiting Buckingham Palace last month to receive her MBE medal from the future King of England, Prince Charles.
Speaking on her inter-faith services, "It is necessary for those of different religions to come together and discuss. Through this, we achieve a better understanding of one another and are able to instil respect for others' religions in all, young and old, so that we can live together harmoniously. This also helps us to learn even more about our own religions".
As a devout Sikh, Ghura is a representative of her faith when bringing together those from others such as Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. She also holds a 2-hour class every Tuesday at Newcastle Gurdwara. She says: "About Gurmat and Kirtan. Teaching children for over forty years, I have taught different generations; I now teach many children whose parents I taught before them".
However, benefits of the class do not stop at religion as Mrs Ghura explains, "This helps to build a foundation of good roots in maintaining Punjabi culture. Living here (in the UK), it is easy to lose your roots, but it is important to teach children in this way so that they can learn to stay true to their Punjabi heritage whilst also integrating Western culture. There are benefits of both and they must appreciate both ways of living and pick out the best of both and adapt. I myself am neither completely Punjabi nor completely Western, there is good in both and both are important".
She also runs a Sehaj Paath class every Saturday for ladies, she and both the ladies and children from the two classes partake in various charity work like singing shabads and selling homemade Punjabi food to raise money for charities such as the local Cancer Hospital. She explains: "I do this because it is very much needed, charity is such a big part of the Sikh faith that I see it as my duty".
Speaking of her MBE, the 74-year-old says: "It is a great honour to have received this from Prince Charles. I work voluntarily because I truly love Kirtan and teaching children, and being charitable is simply part of Sikhism. To be awarded for it is a beautiful surprise and great honour".
Furthermore, "this is good for the Punjabi community, as it will hopefully show our children that they can make a difference too".
She visited Buckingham Palace last month with her sons and grandsons. "It amazed me that they honour people for such diverse achievements and people from all walks of life, it really encourages people of all communities to do good honest work," she concluded.