Chiswick Postmistress Sent to the Tower
Mrs. Joshi collects her British Empire Medal
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Strand-on-the Green postmistress Mrs. Daksha Joshi has been presented this week with the British Empire Medal she was granted in the New Year's Honours list.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday in the Tower of London. Mrs. Joshi was given her medal by Sir David Brewer, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.
She said, "The whole morning was joyful. I was nervous when they called my name to go on to the stage to collect the medal. The medal was presented to me by Sir David Brewer who was a really nice gentleman. When he said I am giving you the medal on behalf of The Queen, I felt really proud. Lots of pictures were taken. In the Post Office the next day I was overwhelmed by how the community wanted to see the medal and ask about the day."
Sir David Brewer and Mrs. Joshi
At the ceremony she was accompanied by her son, Milan Joshi, and two neighbours who wrote to the Government two years ago recommending her for an honour - Robert Colvill (Chairman of the Strand on the Green Association) and Julia Korner.
She added, "And of course my family in India were extremely excited when I told them about the day and showed them pictures!"
Mrs. Joshi , who is originally from Gujarat, came to London from India in March 1980 with her husband and son Milan, who was then aged two. She took over the post office after she spotted it was near Strand on the Green school where she was planning to send Milan. In 1990, her husband, Dilip, died of a brain haemorrhage and she was left to run the business alone and bring up her son.
March 29, 2013
