Pramod Leadership Profile
Public Leadership

Pramod Thakkar

Philanthropic Archive

Stewardship Portfolio

Empowering people and partnering with local initiatives to create lasting
Positive social impact where it matters most

Philanthropist | Temple Trustee | Advocate of Charitable Work

2006

Recipient of the Pride of India Award.

1982 – to date

Chairman and Trustee of Shree Jalaram Charitable Trust.

1992-1995

Chaired the design and development of the first purpose-built Jalaram Bapa Temple outside India. In Leicester, at an approximate cost of £1M.

Worked closely with Architects and other professions to incorporate traditional elements such as Bapa’s Turban in the temple and community centre facade. Situated on Narborough Road, the site is popularly referred to as “Bapa’s Gateway to Leicester.”

2020

Former board member of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), supporting academic and interfaith initiatives.

July 2006

In Commemoration of the Jalaram Temple’s 10th Anniversary Pramod chaired a dedicated team to organise a spiritually enriching Ram Katha, recited over seven days by the renowned Saint Shree Morari Bapu.

The event attracted over 50,000 devotees and visitors, including members of various faith communities and prominent political and cultural figures. Among the notable attendees were David Cameron MP then Leader of the Conservative Party, and celebrated Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

This katha was successful due to the selfless efforts of more than 600 volunteers, who offered their time and service throughout the week-long event.

July 2016

as a second Milestone Pramod chaired a team and liased with contractors refurbishing the existing community centre (formerly owned by the Aga Khan Foundation, purchased in 2006) and now known as Virbai Maa Community Centre, serving Multicultural Communities in Leicester.

The Community center has been used in conjunction with One Roof Charity to homeless during winter months.

2018-2019

Appointed Project Consultant by VSUK and played at Pivitol Role in negotiating the purchase from jasper foundation, Liaising with Major donors, appointing professionals and arranging loan finance for the purchase of a strategic Property for £4.1m.

The Centre was used as a community centre known as Jasper Centre Centre ( Ex-Harrow Magistrates Court The centre is now named Shreenath Dham Haveli & Community Centre , and situated in Harrow, Middx and attended by 100’s of Vaishnav Devotees and the Vaisnav Hall is used for Multi functional Purposes.

Pramod was subsequently appointed as a Trustee of VSUK.

2020 (COVID-19 Response):

As Chair of Jalaram Charitable Trust, coordinated with over 50 volunteers groups to deliver free food to the needy, During Covid 19 Sailesh Raja organised on line bhajans for 3 hours which raised funds for 2 ambulances in Rajkot delivered to Ashirwad Sewa Trust by Hemantbhai Surya on behalf of Jalaram Temple and Sailesh Raja within 9 days of recipient of funds. Ashirwad Sewa transported the civid patients to and from home free of charge.

2020-21

During the Covid-19 Pramod selected and Chaired A team of 4 Heads Dhirubhai Sanghanj , Ajay Jobanoutra and Sanjay Rughani in the UK and Seven Country Coordinator’s from different Continents, to Celebrate Jalaram Jayanti worldwide Online, when over 70 Jalaram Bapa’s Temples from all over the world showcased their charitable activities. The event was Broadcasted on Aastha television, Various Social media platforms and Online over two days and had audience of over 70,000 Devotees from all over the Globe.

Jalaram Mandir under PRAMOD chairmanship partnered with Charnwood Lions Club, Leicester Hospitals Charity, and More Restaurant to serve over 97,000 meals to NHS frontline staff and their families.

Collaborated with Patel’s Chemist (part of Morningside Pharmacy Group) to establish a high-volume NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at the community centre.

2022

Co-founder and former Trustee of Jain & Hindu Organ Donation Alliance (JHOD), launched UK’s first temple-based organ donation centre. Currently serves on JHOD’s advisory board.

2022

Under Pramod’s leadership during HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, over 14 commemorative trees were planted around the Community Centre by religious and community leaders, including a tree in memory of those who passed away during COVID-19.

March 2024

KAV Award -At formal ceremony hosted at the Temple, Leicester Pramod as Chair Of Trustees and on behalf of the Trustees and Volunteers was honoured by receiving have a Kings Award for Voluntary Services (KAV) equivalent the a MBE first of its kind to a Hindu Temple.The Award was in honour of the Volunteers services to the Community .Presenting the award on behalf of His Majesty King Charles 111 by representative do the King Lord leutenant’s Sir Mike Kapur OBE CSsTj, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani OBE and Sir. Dr Nik Kotecha OBE Voluntary Service (KAV), in presence of Liz kendal MP, Volunteers , Community Leaders, Councillors and other Lord Lieutenant’s of Leicestershire.

April 2025

At the Lohana International Business Function (LIBF) in Dubai (attended by 700+ delegates from 30 countries), Pramod received the Gold Leaf Award from Satishbhai Vithlani (Chair of LIBF), and President of Lohana Mahaparishad Subhash Thakkar OBE, The award was received on behalf of 80 + dedicated volunteers of Jalaram Temple Leicester.

January 2026

LEICESTER / MUMBAI –Two of Leicester’s most distinguished community leaders Mr. Pramod Thakkar, and Professor Sir Nilesh Samani were formally honored for their lifelong dedication to healthcare and community work at the prestigious LIBF Expo 2026.The felicitation took place at the prestigious Jio World Convention Centre (BKC) in Mumbai during the three-day global Expo 2026
between 31st January – 1st February 26 which drew over +30,000 delegates from 30 countries around the Globe.

Mr. Pramod Thakkar was felicitated for his dedication and serving appended Charities:
1. Chair- Board Of Trustees Jalaram Charitable Trust, Leicester (JCT) since the charities inception in 1982
Pramod’s involvement with other Charites include :
2. Trustee & Acquisition Consultant, Vaishnav Sangh of UK (VSUK) & Shrinathdham Haveli & Communtiy Centre Harrow
3. Ex- Founder TrusteeJain and Hindu Organ Donation Alliance (JHOD).
Now seats on the Advisory Board -Jhod.

OCHS ( Oxford Centre For Hindu Studies )

The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) is an independent Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford, established in 1997. It is dedicated to the study of Hindu culture, religion, languages, and philosophies, offering online courses, lectures, and research opportunities to bridge the gap between academia and the wider community.

2007 – 2014 Pramod Thakkar served as a member of the OCHS Board of Governors for nearly seven years

Pramod was highly regarded for providing practical business acumen to the Centre. His most notable contribution was bridging the gap between OCHS and local communities, specifically by instrumentalizing a deep partnership with the Jalaram Mandir in Leicester.

This relationship led to the first Hindu Temple sponsoring OCHS educational programs, by donating £60, 000 ( over 5 years )

Friends of the OCHS organization in Leicester, which remains an active support group for the Centre’s academic endeavors