Cultural awareness visit inspires Castlederg community

LOCAL residents at Derg Valley Care & Healthy Living Centre recently enjoyed an engaging and informative cultural awareness session delivered by Bobby Rao from Strabane Ethnic Community Association (SECA).

The event brought together members of the Castlederg community to learn more about Indian culture, traditions, and the importance of promoting diversity and challenging racism.

Bobby shared his personal journey of moving from India to Strabane, speaking openly about the opportunities and challenges of settling into a new country and the importance of building welcoming, inclusive communities.

Participants gained a fascinating insight into India's rich cultural heritage, learning about its many religions, languages, customs, and traditions.

Bobby also spoke about cricket, explaining its significance as India's most popular sport.

Adding a personal touch, he shared stories of his own cricketing career, having played the sport in both India and Ireland, highlighting how cricket has connected people and cultures throughout his life.

One of the highlights of the session was Bobby's showcase of traditional Indian clothing.

Participants enjoyed learning about the different styles, colours, and occasions for wearing traditional dress, with many commenting afterwards that this was one of the most interesting aspects of the visit.

Attendees also said they particularly enjoyed hearing Bobby's life story, describing it as inspiring and insightful.

The session encouraged plenty of discussion and questions, helping participants gain a better understanding of Indian culture while challenging misconceptions and raising awareness of the experiences of people from different backgrounds.

The visit formed part of Strabane Ethnic Community Association's ongoing programme of cultural education and anti-racism awareness across rural communities.

By sharing personal experiences and celebrating cultural diversity, sessions like this help build understanding, strengthen community connections, and create more welcoming places for everyone.