Baghi Baghirathan making his presentation flanked by a section of the guests
Over the past weeks in my part of south west England, there have been a series of occasions for light and gathering together: Diwali (aka Deepavali), the birthday of Guru Nanak and Bonfire Night. So welcome to contrast with the early dark nights of English autumn.
A group of around 30 gathered together on Thursday 6 Nov 2025 in London- in a venue already flaunting Christmas decorations- drawn by the light of Sanmarga Trust.
The event’s aim: to showcase the trust; its ethos; work to date; and some of its sparkling impact. Fundraising to help progress and extend Sanmarga’s programmes was another objective. One of the trust’s co-founders- Baghi (but known to me as ‘Dad’) talked through a detailed presentation that was particularly brought to life by the photos and case studies of beneficiaries. The other co-founder- my mother Jeya- and 2 trustees (my brother Ravi and myself) were on hand also~ to be general ‘go-fors’; welcome guests; and respond to questions about Sanmarga. We four heaved a collective sigh of relief when the ICT behaved itself and displayed the presentation but then a mutual wince when the videos made by my daughter- Shivani- during her visit to some beneficiaries with her grandfather in early 2025- could not be shown as hoped. One out of two ICT resources working is not too bad a score, though, speaking from personal experience. We will be sending these videos to the participants via email.
I could feel the sense of interest and appreciation in the room, when we roamed about and talked with guests. The gathering included one of our co-funding partners- the Halcrow Foundation and potential new donors. It felt particularly wonderful to have a few other Sri Lankans there- extended family members and long-term acquaintances I had not seen for many years.
Having also been at the other recent Sanmarga Trust information/fundraising talk- in September at a community-run café in a sedate Wiltshire village- I reflect now on the range of people who have clearly been both impressed and moved by the reasons for Sanmarga’s founding, and the ways it works on the ground. The café event had quite a throng, including a young Indian couple who had only recently moved into this very white English locality. Their evident pleasure from the sense of connection by coming to the talk- which had been advertised widely by the café’s social media- and meeting my parents who also live locally, felt warming. A ‘soft, human outcome’ in addition to the funds donated on the day.
It could be mooted that this is a strength of a small, family-run trust: the direct personal contact within Sri Lanka with beneficiaries; and that same approachability with individual donors, donor organisations and partner agencies.
Dr Subitha Baghirathan, trustee, Sanmarga Trust. November 2025
