Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, on Saturday 12th July 2014, attended the Telugu Association of Reading and Around (TARA) Summer Festival as the chief guest.

More than 300 attendees were treated to the entertainment, sounds and smells of India at the festival, which was held at Southcote Primary School. Guests could also take part in a range of events like cricket, a relay running race, badminton, tug of war and carroms. There was also a range of food available throughout the day and Alok tried his hand at making dosas.

TARA is a charity organisation based in Reading, which aims to promote Telugu culture and heritage and to identify and address social, cultural and educational needs of Telugu Community in the UK. The group also aims to integrate and unite Telugu speaking community with local communities and organisations to spread communal harmony.

Alok Sharma presented the trophies to the badminton tournament winners and runners-up.

TARA President Mrs. Lakshmi Maturu thanked the volunteers who have come forward to support TARA's Community initiatives.

TARA Secretary Mr. Ravikanth Vakada said: “The funds collected through this event will be donated to charities which work for child education and health care. TARA would like to thank Alok Sharma for accepting our invitation to be chief guest at the Summer Festival.”

Alok Sharma said: “I was delighted to attend the TARA charity day at Southcote Primary School. TARA is an excellent organisation that helps promote Telugu culture, encourages integration and promotes community harmony and I look forward to working with them in the future.”

Photo: Alok Sharma helps make a dosa at the TARA summer festival