Cultural fun day draws crowds

FEAST . . . from the left, Nasima Begum, Parul Begum, Fardusi Rahman, Shah Gharna Begum, with food that was sold at the fundraiser to raise funds for the Al-Khair charity

OLDHAM'S first Pitha Mela was a very tasty success.

The event, staged at Millennium Centre, in Featherstall Road, on Sunday showcased a delicious range of Bangladeshi home cooking and raised money for humanitarian aid charities through the Al-Khair Foundation.

Organised by the foundation's Hamida Begum and Idris Ali, from ILB (I Love Bangladesh), crowds flocked to the cultural fun day to sample the pithas, a savoury snack which is traditionally distributed during Eid.

"It was a privilege for me to have been involved," said Idris.

"Above all it was great to see pitha making passion from the ladies and I hope this mela provided them with a platform to bring this passion to the forefront and to the public eye. I am already thinking of making this an annual event.

"I would like to thank Hamida Begum who was the brains behind it all as she worked really hard to make this happen.

"Also thanks to our team of super volunteers and above all thanks to all who attended."