The Bolton Hindu Asian Initiative (BHAI) was named UCLan Community Group of the Year.

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Initiatives by BHAI focus on activities for the elderly and disabled as well as the education of children in the Hindu culture.

BHAI in Gujarati meaning Brother, meet at Vishwa Hindu Parishad Temple on Thomas Holden Street. Initiatives by BHAI focus on activities for the elderly and disabled as well as the education of children in Hindu culture.

Activities include pottery, yoga, bingo, jigsaws, table tennis, archery as well as an Internet Café for the over 50s teaching them how to use computers and social networking sites. In 2011 the six board members formed a social enterprise plan to start fund raising to buy a vehicle. By the end of 2012, £20,000 was raised to start the day centre project. The van was purchased with the money raised. The BHAI van was launched at an official ceremony at the centre. The centre is run by volunteers.

Ila Kothari from the group said, “It is amazing I am absolutely shocked. We were not expecting this at all.

“We have been working hard to get it from nothing to a place where people can come and meet.

“We provide a friendly atmosphere. We have got a lot of facilities now and make it a place where everyone can meet.”

Video Interviews by Neetal Parekh