Tamils in Reading gave the town a taste of South India at their fifth annual festival.

Reading West MP Alok Sharma called at the festival held by the Association of Reading Tamils (ARTS), called A Taste of South India on Saturday, July 14.

The event took place in Southcote Primary School in Silchester Road.

Mr Sharma presented a cheque for £500 on behalf of ARTS to Helen and Douglas House, the children’s hospice.

A crowd of around 350 people braved the rain to take part in the games and cultural activities on offer and enjoyed the wide selection of food from southern India.

Favourites included dosas, biryani and chaat followed by homemade sweets.

Games of cricket, tennikoit – a south Indian games of quoits played on a court – and a slow bicycle race, as well as karaoke, a bouncy castle and a children’s play area, entertained all the family.

Set up as a charity in 2008, ARTS aims to bring together everyone who has an interest in Tamil, its people, culture and classical traditions. Funds raised by the association go to help children, both in Berkshire and India.

Mr Sharma said: “I was delighted to be invited again to the ARTS summer festival, which is always a thoroughly enjoyable event.

“ARTS is an excellent organisation that brings communities together and raises money for both local charities and deserving causes in India.”

Dr A K Venkatasubramaniam, president of ARTS executive committee, said: “ARTS have enjoyed solid support from its members and the local communities to help raise funds and awareness for charity.

“This year our committee has been humbled by the support we have had from its members and local communities who braved the wet weather to attend the fest in huge numbers and make this event a memorable success.

“ARTS Exec committee also thanks Mr Alok Sharma for his support to the organisation by attending the event and encouraging the participants in person.”

Janet Carruzzo, community fundraiser from Helen and Douglas House said: “We would like to thank the Reading Tamils and everyone who supports them, for their generous donation to Helen and Douglas House in this particularly special year for us –our 30th anniversary year.

“It is 30 years since Helen House opened as the world’s first children’s hospice.

“The money donated will help us provide vital specialist symptom and pain management, medically-supported short breaks and end-of-life care for families with children and young adults with life-shortening conditions in Reading and the surrounding areas.”

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