10/01/2026
MBCT News Friday, 9 January 2026: BRITISH DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER, UK IN CHANDIGARH, VISITS MEHAR BABA CHARITABLE TRUST, BASSI PATHANA
Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Chandigarh, visited the MBCT Community Development Centre, Bassi Pathana today. She was accorded a warm traditional rural Panjab style welcome and was received by Trustees Hassan Singh Mejie, Thakur Singh Mejie, and Harkiran Mejie, Advisor MBCT. Mehak Mahajan and Roohi Hasiza from the British DHC, Chandigarh, and Deepika from the British Council, Chandigarh were warmly welcomed.
Hema Panesar gave a digital presentation highlighting MBCT’s mission and vision, detailing its four avenues of public service, partnerships, key achievements, and impactful success stories. Managing Trustee Hassan Singh Mejie briefed the guests on the rich historical significance of the MBCT building, which once served as a mint-cum-treasury of the Mughal Governor of Sirhind in the late 1600s, believed to hold secrets of hidden treasures buried beneath. He further shared that in October 2004, the MBCT’s three-storeyed, 20,000 sq. ft. building was completed in a record five months, on 31 March 2005.
Trustee Thakur Singh Mejie provided an overview of MBCT’s flagship initiatives, including Women Empowerment and Youth Development Projects, the Hockey Nursery, Rural Health Management, the Community Development Project with PGI, and notably the JAGO Project in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada, New Delhi.
Baldev Singh, former Sarpanch of Damheri, shared his experiences of over two decades of association with MBCT, highlighting how the Trust’s community development initiatives particularly healthcare and the WasH project.
The guests were then taken on a guided tour of the Vocational Training Centre, Beauty School, Computer Learning Centre, and the Entrepreneurship Development Program Phulkari Makers Bassi Pathana (SHG). Alba Smeriglio expressed keen interest in interacting with students and artisans and was especially impressed by the mehndi artistry, BOSCH skill training, and computer education programs. The visit concluded with a vibrant Lohri celebration and Giddha performance by VTC students and MBCT advisors Hardeep Kaur and Harjinder Kaur who were joined by their newly wed daughters-in-law Sejalpreet Kaur and Karanpreet Kaur, along with Karanpreet Kaur. Dressed in colourful Punjabi attire, the women danced joyfully to traditional Punjabi boliyan, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Punjab.
Expressing her appreciation, Alba Smeriglio lauded MBCT’s dedicated efforts towards uplifting rural youth, especially women. She remarked that she could clearly see leadership potential and confidence among the youth and conveyed her willingness to work collaboratively with the Trust to help them blossom into successful professionals and responsible citizens.
Trustee Thakur Singh Mejie thanked the visiting dignitaries and conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the British Deputy High Commissioner and thanked her officials for taking time out to support the cause of rural women and youth of District Fatehgarh Sahib. He thanked all the guests including Rtn. Manmohan Luthra from RC of Chandigarh for their presence.
