Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hindu Council of Wales celebrates Raksha Bandhan

Hindu Council of Wales celebrates Raksha Bandhan

THE Hindu Council of Wales celebrated on Sunday (22) the festival of Raksha Bandhan with members of the armed forces.

The annual ceremony involves sisters of all ages tying a 'rakhi' (amulet) on the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them. The brothers give them gifts in return.


unnamed 1 (L-R) Radhika Kadaba, Indian Honorary Consul to Wales Raj Aggarwal and Sudha Bhatt of the Hindu Council of Wales light the inauguration lamp at a Raksha Bandhan event in Cardiff on August 22, 2021.

unnamed 2 Col Sion Walker hands out an Army gift bag at a Raksha Bandhan event in Cardiff on August 22, 2021.

The event was organised by the council along with Indian Honorary Consul to Wales Raj Aggarwal.

The event, like those in previous years, was held to show solidarity with the armed forces, emergency services and community leaders for their valuable contribution to the community.

unnamed 3 Sgt Paul Higgins hand out a Royal Air Force gift bag at a Raksha Bandhan event in Cardiff on August 22, 2021.

unnamed 4 Lt Cdr Suzanne Lynch Royal Navy hand out a gift bag at a Raksha Bandhan event in Cardiff on August 22, 2021.

Among other dignitaries who attended the event were Sgt Paul Higgins, Col Sion Walker and Lt Cdr Suzanne Lynch, representing the RAF, Army and Royal Navy respectively; Hindu Council of Wales Chair Vimla Patel and Lord Lieutenant for South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith.

More For You

homelessness

2.7 per cent of private rented properties in England are affordable for people receiving housing benefit.

Getty Images

Nearly 300,000 families face worst forms of homelessness in England, research shows

Highlights

  • 299,100 households experienced acute homelessness in 2024, up 21 per cent since 2022.
  • Rough sleeping and unsuitable temporary accommodation cases increased by 150 per cent since 2020.
  • Councils spent £732 m on unsuitable emergency accommodation in 2023/24.


Almost 300,000 families and individuals across England are now experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, unsuitable temporary accommodation and living in tents, according to new research from Crisis.

The landmark study, led by Heriot-Watt University, shows that 299,100 households in England experienced acute homelessness in 2024. This represents a 21 per cent increase since 2022, when there were 246,900 households, and a 45 per cent increase since 2012.

More than 15,000 people slept rough last year, while the number of households in unsuitable temporary accommodation rose from 19,200 in 2020 to 46,700 in 2024. An additional 18,600 households are living in unconventional accommodation such as cars, sheds and tents.

A national survey found 70 per cent of councils have seen increased numbers approaching them for homelessness assistance in the last year. Local authorities in London and Northern England reported the biggest increase.

Keep ReadingShow less