Ved’s pioneering race relations is his lasting legacy
TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the first members of the region’s Indian community who has died, aged 89.
Ved Prakash Venayak, from Wideopen, was one of the founding members of the Tyne and Wear Racial Equality Council (TWREC).
He has been described as a selfless, kind and generous person who would go out of his way to help people settle into a new community.
His friend, Dr Hari Shukla, and the Marie Curie charity Ved supported, have paid tribute to him following his death last Monday.
Dr Shukla said: “Ved will be sadly missed by his family and friends but will be fondly remembered for his selflessness, kindness, generosity and vital contribution to the wellbeing of our region.”
Dr Shukla added: “When I moved to the North East in 1974, Ved was one of the first people I met and I stayed with him until I found proper accommodation.
“Being one of the first Indians to settle here, he went out of his way to help new communities to settle in the region and offered them a hand of friendship.
“He was committed to good community relations and encouraged people settling here to establish good working relationships with local people.”
During Ved’s leading role on the TWREC Executive Committee, he helped to develop a policy for race equality in the North East and establish partnerships with institutions in the region. He developed relationships with leaders of other ethnic minority communities and promoted respect and harmony among diverse communities.
Dr Shukla said: “Being a Hindu, Ved had a great deal of respect for people all of faiths and he worked hard to promote community cohesion in the region.
“He was also a founder member of the Indian Association which played a vital role in promoting Indian values among its members and encouraged participation in voluntary, charitable and worthy causes that improved the lives of people who were vulnerable and marginalised.”
As a senior member of Newcastle Rotary Club, Ved introduced projects to help others and supported numerous charitable causes, including Marie Curie.
Kelly Knighting-Wykes, Marie Curie’s fundraising manager for the North East and Cumbria highlighted Ved’s valuable support for the charity.
Kelly said: “During his time in our Day Therapy Unit, Ved got to know the nurses and other patients really well and was really keen to do what he could to help.
“When he heard our minibus needed to be replaced he very kindly offered to buy one for us.”
She added: “The coronavirus had a significant impact on our fundraising, Ved supported our Emergency Appeal making a significant donation to the hospice when we needed it most.
“His continued support meant so much to the hospice team and our patients and we’ll always be grateful to him.”