A TEAM of volunteers behind one of the most colourful celebrations in town have been highlighted as one of the judges’ favourites for this year’s Pride of Swindon Awards.

The Saraswati Puja Committee has made the judges’ shortlist for this year’s awards for their hard work and dedication throughout the year in delivering the Sarasawati Puja which this year marked its fifth year.

Around 400 people attended the celebration this year throughout the course of the day and evening - which Swapan Roy, the president of the Saraswati Puja organising committee, said he was very pleased with.

“The celebration is a very important event for the children right the way up to older people,” he said.

“Everyone has been looking forward to coming and spending time together and year on year the event is becoming more colourful.

“Each year is growing and growing and this year it is on a much larger scale to when we first started.

“It is not only an Indian festival but it is one that has other communities involved. It is a very diverse and open day and we want people with different backgrounds to come in and enjoy everything.

“We believe that by worshipping this goddess, you will become more educated and more progressed in terms of speech – you will become a better human being.”

The multi-cultural event entertained worshippers with traditional Indian Bollywood dancing and a host of live bands while hot food and refreshments were served throughout.

Putting the committee forward for an award, their nominator said: “Saraswati Devi is the Goddess of wisdom, art, science and philosophy and for those reasons the worship of Goddess Saraswati has special significance in the careers of students, academicians, singers and musicians. The Puja is celebrated on a respective auspicious day by different communities, especially the Bengalies.

“The aims and objectives of the Puja Committee are to promote culture and heritage, supporting the society that they live in and reinforce future generations with meaningful values. The committee strives to keep rich culture and heritage alive through various religious events, social and educational activities and cultural programs throughout the year.

“They have formed an association with community groups such as The Swindon Mela, Swindon Hindu Samaj and The Bangladesh Association Swindon; the guidance and support given has made the event bigger and better attracting over 1,000 people throughout the day.

“The growing association has introduced new members from different backgrounds. Without these volunteers the group would not be what it is today. The skills and knowledge has led to a more confident team which are made up of musical technicians, PR and marketing, promotions leads, stage coordinators, etc.

“Through community ownership and partnership the group has worked together to promote community cohesion, racial harmony and diversity.

“Receiving the award for the group would mean ‘rewarding the group’ as the volunteers give up a vast amount of their time to attend not only meetings but lend time as admin support, set design and artwork, performance rehearsals and promoting either by word of mouth, emails and social media.”

The committee has now been invited to attend the awards ceremony being held at Steam on Thursday, March 16, where they – along with the other shortlisted teams and individuals – will find out who has been named as the Pride of Swindon 2017.