A development initiative for South Asian Dance in the North West

Bisakha Sarker's award of MBE

Congratulations came from all directions in response to the announcement that Biskha had been awarded an MBE in the 2014 New Year Honour List.

Bisakha Sarker was awarded with MBE for services to the community.

From Liverpool Echo:

• Mrs Sarker, of West Derby, came to the UK in the
  1970s and belongs to a pioneering generation who helped to establish Indian dance as a part of British culture.
  In Liverpool, generations of school children have experienced her dance classes and workshops. In 1984 she was appointed as one of the first dance animateurs for Merseyside, a job which involved linking her work in Asian dance to audiences across the North West’s different cultures.
  
  Mrs Sarker said: “I got a letter and I hoped that it was not another parking ticket. But then I read it and I couldn’t believe it. Liverpool has given me a wonderful opportunity to work in dance and music.”

Via Facebook

• From Chris Davies
  Bisakha Sarker MBE, Great to hear this news, long overdue, and richly deserved. I've written about her before so won't repeat myself, but I'm truly thankful to be connected to this inspirational woman, a real creative force in South Asian Dance, my year is already happy!!! xxx
  
• From Eric Foxley:
  A great start to 2014
  
• From Simon Richardson:
  Thrilled. More deserved than it is possible to express xx
• From Sarbori Basu:
  Congratulations Mashi !!! You are a source of inspiration to us. Proud to be associated with you.
• From Doris Hofton:
  Mazal tov. Great news.Well deserved. Love dxxx
• From Caroline Hawkridge:
  Oh, that's made my day!
  Happy New Year to you both.
• From Ian Holmes-Lewis:
  Wonderful, she came out to Donegal and saved a project I was involved with after our choreographer went awol. Lovely, lovely woman!
• From Anne Tucker:
  brilliant news, have known Bisarka for years and yuears, i will tell jeremy, lots of love from us both xx

Via email

• From Paula Hampson:
  I just want to congratulate you on your amazing award. I can't think of any one better to receive this. You deserve every moment of the glory for all your hard work, dedication and passion and joy for dancing, that you have endlessly passed on to others, young and old. Brilliant!!!!
  Much love, Paula Hampson and family
• From Sam Meech:
  I just saw the good news on twitter. fully deserved. Let me say that I was neither shocked nor surprised to learn that you had received an MBE, or that you had initially expected it to be a parking ticket!
  what a great start to the New Year. I hope 2014 continues to bring you more great opportunities and surprises. Sam Meech
• From Virginia Wesson:
  We just received the news here in Toronto, via Richard Coaten, that you have been awarded an MBE. Congratulations from all of us here in Canada. It was an honour to have you visit and share your special gifts with us. Your work is exceptional and very worthy of this prestigious designation! Ginny
  Virginia Wesson MD, MSc, FRCPC Staff Psychiatrist Mount Sinai Hospital Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
• From Garry Millar (Lord mayor of Liverpool):
  Congratulations. Great news about your MBE. Congratulations Bisakha. Best Wishes, Gary