The people who embody the spirit of Bradford’s Hindu community in their lives have been celebrated at an awards ceremony.
Organised by the Bradford Hindu Council, the first ever Bradford Diwali Awards honoured the unsung heroes whose contributions to the local community have changed people’s lives.
The sold-out event took place at Odsal Stadium.
Deepak Sharma, one of the hosts and organiser of the first-ever Hindu Diwali Awards in Bradford, said: "The atmosphere at the event was nothing short of electrifying.
"The Bradford Bulls stadium had been transformed into a vibrant and colourful hub of excitement and anticipation as one would expect from a Diwali event.
"The sold-out event brought together diverse members of the Hindu community and their community friends, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration that was truly inspiring.
"The anticipation in the air was tangible as guests eagerly awaited the award ceremony. People from various backgrounds, age groups, and walks of life had come together to honour our community champions and the friends of the Hindu community, the sense of togetherness was heartwarming.
"The event was a testament to the power of community and the bonds that tie us together. It was a joyous occasion, and the air was filled with the melodious chatter of guests, the vibrant hues of traditional and western attire, and the mouth-watering aroma of the delicious dinner that were served.
"This event serves as a perfect reflection of the diverse and resilient spirit of the Hindu community, and it's a momentous launch that will be cherished for years to come."
Winners include cricket coach Shiv Dutt for Empowering Children through Sports; cricket coach Shivanie Patel for Diversity in Inclusive Women's Sports Promotion; IWCUK for Community Unity through Charity; voice for the youth, Vinnay Verma for Educational Excellence and Community Engagement; former police officer Dharmesh Mistry for Community Mental Health, Wellness and Awareness; educator and charity volunteer Seema Butto for Cultural Preservation and Religious Understanding; businessman Vipin Joshi for Community Empowerment through Quiet and Humble Leadership; Rangoli Radio CIC for Cultural and Faith Pioneers and Promotion; Tamil language teacher Priya Basker for Cultural Heritage, Folk Music and Language Education; changemaker Debbani Ghosh for Independent Living and Community Support and Rohan Shah for Inspiring Youth Leader & Outstanding Community Organiser.
Kaneez Khan MBE was given the BHC Award for contribution to the Hindu Community 2023.
James Elliott, faith engagement officer at West Yorkshire Police, was given the BHC Award for contribution to the Hindu Community 2023.
The BHC Award for contribution to the Hindu Community 2023 was handed to seven esteemed guests.
Recipients included award-winning pharmacist and professor Dr Mahendra G Patel OBE; Counsellor and psychotherapist Prof Geetha Upadhyaya OBE; co-founder of Kala Sangam, Dr Shripati Upadhyaya, Ph.D; Bishop Toby Howarth; businessman and philanthropist Dr Manoj Joshi MBE DL; the Race Equality Network; and rolemodel Samykkurukkal Balakrishnan.
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