All our own work!

CUTTING the ribbon . . . 97 year old Radhabai Shivjibhai Gorasia opens the new extension

GREAT-GREAT-grandmother Radhabai Shivjibhai Gorasia had the honour of opening the new £400,000 extension at Oldham Indian Association on Sunday.

The 97 year old cut a pink ribbon yesterday to unveil the dining and community hall in Schofield Street, Hathershaw, which has been built with donations from the Indian community in Oldham and beyond.

Mrs Gorasia’s late husband was one of the founders of the association’s original building in Fern Street in the 1970s. Every generation of her family has been involved with the temple and community centre which moved to its present location in 1999.

The opening marks the end of a five-year fund-raising campaign, which entirely funded the work. Donors included construction firm owner Ramesh Gajera from India who gave £11,000 while a Bollywood night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall made £56,000. Members also saved £120,000 in labour and construction costs, giving up their time to carry out the interior work on the building themselves.

Association president Bharat Sisodia: “The Indian community feels very proud to have raised the necessary funds themselves for this community project.”

As well as being used for events, the new hall will also be used for activities such as yoga and a luncheon club, and will also be available for everyone in Hathershaw, not just the Indian community.

A week-long programme of spiritual and cultural events is also being held to mark the opening.