SWINDON Mela is regarded as one of the finest celebrations of South Asian culture and this year the organisers have found themselves in the running for not one, but two Pride of Swindon Awards.

The organising team behind the annual Mela have been nominated collectively in the team category, while Mina Bhogal has found herself receiving a nomination in the individual category for her own work with the festival and her wider volunteering work.

Mina’s nominator said: “Mina once said to me nothing is easy but if you believe in yourself then the journey will be easy. One of Mina's pet hates is to be in the spotlight however it’s time for her to be recognised and acknowledged for the work that she has done.

The annual festival is staged in the Town Gardens to provide a taste of South Asian culture and arts, with entertainment, crafts, stalls and cuisine on offer throughout the day, which draws in visitors from far and wide.

The Mela’s nominator said of the festival: “Mela events have always gone off without a hitch and they have since received letters of commendation from some of the organisations involved.

“The Swindon Mela Project Team are all worthy representatives of the values and ethics of the event and it is because of their continued and consistent hard work that I nominate them for this award.

“Organising and running the Mela is no easy task. Each year it becomes larger, more complex, and attended by more people. I am proud not only to attend the main event but to attend any event that has been organised via the Mela.”

Members of the organising committee will be among those attending the awards ceremony next week to find out if they have won an award.

Joining them in the running for an award is Mina Bhogal, who has put in 21 years of volunteering to the local community, as well as being heavily involved with the Mela.

Her nominator said: “Many of her roles have gone unrecognised due to her humble and subdued, quiet, nature.

“Managing family life and a job within the NHS and on top of that supporting at least five local voluntary sector groups I think Mina needs recognition for her hard work, dedication and above all determination in promoting community cohesion by bringing people together.”

Each of the nominees to make the judges’ shortlist have been invited to attend the gala award ceremony at STEAM on Thursday when the Pride of Swindon award winners will be announced.