Warwickshire Telugu Association celebrated the festival of Ugadi in Rugby last week and local MP Mark Pawsey joined them to mark the occasion.
Ugadi celebrates New Year’s Day in the Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra by the Hindu community. The local Telugu community, most of whom originate from Andhra Pradesh, have for the past two years celebrated the event in the traditional Indian style at the Rugby Indian Centre and this year Mark was invited to join them and take part in their cultural entertainment.
This auspicious day was observed in Rugby by drawing colourful decorations, delicious and also preparing special food called Pachadi. Pacahdi is festive food with combination of all flavours - sweet, sour, salty and bitter. It is a symbolic reminder that one must follow all flavours of experience in the coming year. The festivities in Rugby culminated in a buffet of south Indian food and dancing by some of the children and families taking part.
After the celebrations, Mark said:
“I was pleased to be able to join the members of Warwickshire Telugu Association for their Ugadi celebrations. It is always a pleasure to see the wide variety of different cultural events taking place in Rugby and to take part in them. I wish everyone who celebrated Ugadi and very happy and prosperous New Year.”
Dr Suresh Gurijala and Mr Mahadev Sharma Ganti of the Warwickshire Telugu Association added:
“We are very appreciative of the support and commitment Mark Pawsey MP has shown to the Indian community in Rugby which is highly commendable. Happy Ugadi to all Telugu people living in and around Rugby and Warwickshire.”