UK based not for profit Bengali organisation Heritage Bengal Global (HBG), celebrated Independence Day supported by Harrow council of London and the educational institute GBS and organised a day of cricket on Sunday 27 August.
The highlight of the event was the visit and felicitation of the Indian Women’s and Men’s Visually Impaired Cricket Teams, who also played a short demo game. They were felicitated by the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Ramji Chauhan, Bob Blackman MP, sponsor GBS representative, HBG Director Anirban Mukhopadhyay and other dignitaries who were present there.
The competitive regular part of the cricket day was played for the GBS Trophy which was won by the Indian High Commission team led by its official Ankit Tiwari. Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh was the highest run scorer, while British MP Padmasree Bob Blackman, playing for the Mayor of Harrow- HBG combined team, won the highest wicket taker award. The man of the match was was won by 15-year old boy from Ruislip - Aryan.
The final was a keenly contested match where the Indian High Commission beat the Harrow Mayor - HBG team by just 2 runs.
In the demo game the Indian Women’s and Men’s Visually Impaired Cricket Teams clearly showed why they are the top teams in the world hitting boundaries and taking wickets. They also explained the rules of the game to the gathered crowd who were highly enthusiastic in their support.
The head coach of the team John David, expressed gratitude for being invited and appealed to the community for a greater support from the diaspora.
Mahua Bej, Vice President of HBG said, “Our aim is to create awareness for the visually impaired people, the challenges they face in their sports and see how we can facilitate their funding, which is always a challenge.”
The GBS representative present said, “The opportunity to felicitate the Indian Men and Women Visually Impaired Cricket Teams at the Ground, are making GBS proud and excited, as a give back to the society.”
GBS is a private higher education provider and committed to changing lives through education.Harrow Councillor Mathew Goodwin-Freeman, who was one of the main pillars behind the success of the day thanked everyone for their enthusiastic participation and support.
Bob Blackman MP in his speech spoke about the importance of cricket in the Indo British relationship and thanked the hosts for organising such a wonderful day.
The Indian Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh thanked the organisers and said the High Commission will always be in support of such community activities leading to diaspora connect.For Heritage Bengal Global volunteers Sourav Paul, Anuran Sarkar, Manas Chatterjee the day was a culmination of weeks of planning and hectic activities till the last day.
