SWINDON’S Bangladeshi community will celebrate two milestones on Sunday – the 20th anniversary of its association and the 40th year of the country’s independence.

The event will bring together the community to acknowledge the work of the Swindon Bangladesh Association and Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.

In another honour, the Bangladeshi flag will be raised at the civic offices – the first time the privilege has been granted to any country outside the UK – by the Mayor of Swindon, Coun Ray Ballman, on Monday at 11.30am.

Sunday’s event will take place at the Bangladeshi Youth and Community Centre in Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill.

An official souvenir guide is being produced for the occasion, which will include messages from the Queen, and the Prime Ministers of the UK and Bangladesh.

Association president Fazlur Rahman said: “The event is very important because the association has worked very hard to help disadvantaged people.

“The day will help us to show people what we have been doing and also to involve more people and encourage young people to take a more active part in building the community.

“It’s a celebration, but it’s also very important that we send out the message that we want people to do good things.”

The association’s achievements include setting up sports teams, with cricket, football and badminton sections, establishing a Bhangra school and taking part in the annual Swindon Mela.

The voluntary group has also worked with Wiltshire Police, Swindon Borough Council and the NHS, arranged a music and education programme and set up open talks about matters of concern to the community.

Mr Rahman said: “We have built a very strong community based on good will and trust.

“I believe we have done a good job, but we don’t want to sit still, “We want to keep this going and make progress.”

The Bangladesh Association was founded in 1992 by a small group of Bangladeshi people living in the town, and now has more than 2,000 members.

Letters have been sent to all 300 Bangladeshi families in Swindon, inviting them to the event.

Organising secretary Mohammed Abdul Hamid said: “It’s a big day for us as we have been working hard for our community for the last 20 years and it’s a way of saying thank you to all the community members who have helped over the years.

“We have also sent out invitations to other faiths and community groups to attend the day.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Rose Troughton will also attend the event as chief guest.

It starts at 12.15pm with a reception and then proceeds to presentations, a lunch and exhibition, a cultural function and closing events at 5pm.