Draft:Sanjib Bhattacharjee

Sanjib Bhattacharjee began his community service during his student years in India, where he volunteered with the Indian Red Cross Society. His activities included organising eye camps, flood relief initiatives, and campaigns focused on road safety and environmental conservation.{{Cite web |last=Caddick |first=Paul |date=2025-04-17 |title=ADI Honoured |url=https://www.intelligentinstructor.co.uk/adi-honoured/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Intelligent Instructor |language=en-GB}} After moving to the United Kingdom in 1998, Bhattacharjee continued his involvement in community welfare, supporting stroke patients, volunteering as a reading mentor, and encouraging residents to take active roles in improving their neighbourhoods during his tenure in social housing.{{Cite web |title=Driving instructor trainer receives prestigious award |url=https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/driving-instructor-trainer-receives-prestigious-award/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Road Safety GB |language=}}

As a road safety advocate, Bhattacharjee has spoken about challenges within the driving test industry in the United Kingdom. He has highlighted the frustrations faced by learners, particularly key workers, due to delays in securing test slots.{{cite web |title=OPINION: backlog of driving tests threatens Britain's road safety |url=https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/opinion-backlog-of-driving-tests-threatens-britains-road-safety/ |website=Road Safety GB |publisher=}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-06-16 |title=Time and Alarms |url=https://www.intelligentinstructor.co.uk/time-and-alarms/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Intelligent Instructor |language=en-GB}} Bhattacharjee has urged the government to take further action to support learners and parents, addressing concerns about middlemen reselling test appointments and the availability of examiners.{{Cite web |last=Mykkanen |first=Noora |date=2025-04-17 |title=Booking a driving test is now as hard as buying Glastonbury tickets |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/17/booking-a-driving-test-now-hard-buying-glastonbury-tickets-22911075/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Metro |language=en}} Bhattacharjee has highlighted the importance of adhering to Highway Code regulations and adopting defensive driving techniques to enhance road safety.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title=Here's how this one driving habit could cost you £2,500 in fines |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/17/common-driving-mistakes-cost-almost-1-000-fines-22910969/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Metro |language=en}} During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhattacharjee volunteered as part of the NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme, supporting the NHS and local communities.{{Cite web |title=NHS and Care Volunteer Responders |url=https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7321459090801528832 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/EXBf0 |archive-date=25 April 2025}}

He has organised workshops aimed at improving drivers’ hazard anticipation and safe driving skills. He has also campaigned for practical changes to road infrastructure, including clearer road markings and measures to enhance pedestrian safety. During [https://volunteersweek.org/ National Volunteering Week], he conducted sessions on eco-safe driving, covering topics such as vehicle maintenance, route planning, and fuel efficiency.{{Cite news |title=Assamese Resident of London Gets British Empire Medal |url=https://epaper.assamtribune.com/clip-preview/57961t8prCfRGhRFMS1p9PVGxT1uIeVhkcpuO7428814 |work=The Assam Tribune |pages=8}}

Currently, Bhattacharjee is a road safety campaigner and since 2014, an Approved Driving Instructor and trainer.{{Cite web |title=AA Driving Instructor Trainer Recognised in New Year's Honours |url=https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom/bem-honour |website=The AA}}

Bhattacharjee received a BEM for his contributions to the community.{{Cite news |last=Hennessey |first=Ted |date= |title=People across UK honoured for dedication to charitable causes |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/people-brentwood-essex-mbe-basketball-b2671799.html |work=Independent}}{{Cite journal |title=British Empire Medal |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4783727 |journal=The London Gazette |issue=64607}}{{Cite news |title=Recognition on New Year's Honours List |url=https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=Ilford%20Recorder&edid=2d210cc2-b509-4f9d-b773-ef4bb3097544 |work=The Ilford Recorder |pages=7}} His contributions were also acknowledged by Edmund King OBE, President of the AA, who commended Bhattacharjee for his dedication to improving road safety and congratulated him on his achievements. He attended the Cabinet Office press briefing at the Tower of London on the 30th December 2024,{{Cite web |title=New Year Honours list 2025 |url=https://www.paimages.co.uk/image-details/2.78590218 |website=PA Images}} where he discussed his work in road safety education.

He is the first London Driving Instructor Trainer to receive the national honour while working in the role.{{Cite web |title=Driving instructor trainer receives prestigious award |url=https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/driving-instructor-trainer-receives-prestigious-award/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Road Safety GB |language=}}

Bhattacharjee served as the Labour Party Chairman for the Ilford North Constituency from 2012 to 2015. He was also a political candidate in the London Borough of Redbridge for the 2010, 2014 and 2018 local elections.{{Cite web |title=2018 Local Election Results |url=https://my.redbridge.gov.uk/electionresults/2018/local/fullwell |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=my.redbridge.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=2014 Local Election Results |url=https://my.redbridge.gov.uk/electionresults/2014/local/clayhall |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=my.redbridge.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |title=2010 Local Election Results |url=https://my.redbridge.gov.uk/electionresults/2010/local/barkingside |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=my.redbridge.gov.uk}} In 2015, Bhattacharjee criticised the Labour Party's proposal to construct a swimming pool at Mayfield School, stating that it was politically motivated and did not serve the interests of Ilford North residents.{{Cite web |date=2015-01-13 |title=Labour hits back after being accused of 'playing politics' in swimming pool row |url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/21205203.labour-hits-back-accused-playing-politics-swimming-pool-row/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Ilford Recorder |language=en}} He subsequently declared his support for Conservative MP Lee Scott, later joining his Party, citing dissatisfaction with the Labour leadership at the time, stating that he could "no longer defend Ed Miliband and Ed Balls".{{Cite news |last=Glanville |first=Natalie |date= |title=Sanjib Bhattacharjee said he can "no longer defend Ed Miliband and Ed Balls" |url=https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11727882.sanjib-bhattacharjee-said-he-can-no-longer-defend-ed-miliband-and-ed-balls/ |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |title=Labour Defector: Cameron is "strongest and best leader" |url=https://order-order.com/people/sanjib-bhattacharjee/ |website=Guido Fawkes}} His decision to support the Conservative Party during then-candidate Wes Streeting's campaign to challenge the Ilford North seat was described as a "blow".{{Cite news |last=Burnip |first=Laura |date= |title=Former Ilford North Labour chairman defects to Conservatives at height of Wes Streeting campaign |url=https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/21205204.former-ilford-north-labour-chairman-defects-conservatives-height-wes-streeting-campaign/ |work=The Ilford Recorder}}

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{{Draft categories|

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:Recipients of the British Empire Medal

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:Conservative Party (UK) politicians

Category:Indian emigrants to England

Category:Politicians from the London Borough of Redbridge

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