LONDON, ENGLAND, March 21, 2010 (mandir.org): The winning designs of the Olympic Landmark London pin badges have been launched, with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden featured as the selected landmark for the London Borough of Brent. In September 2009, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and London Councils launched the Landmark London competition. Londoners were invited to vote for the most iconic landmark in their borough that they would most like to see featured in an individual pin badge.
Each of London’s 33 boroughs were required to shortlist four landmarks which, in the eyes of Londoners, represents what “makes their borough great”. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – popularly known as the Neasden Temple – won the popular vote for Brent, illustrating once again how cohesively the Mandir has become a part of the local community.
Each of the landmarks has now been re-created into a metal pin badge incorporating the London 2012 logo. Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, presented each London Borough with the first pin badge produced. He added: “London is a fantastically diverse city and the variety of landmarks chosen by Londoners to represent their local areas highlights this perfectly.”
Cllr Paul Lorber – Leader of Brent Council and keen supporter of the Mandir’s place in the community – presented the badge to BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) on Sunday 21 March 2010, saying: “The important thing is that it is not just about a building. I have always been exceptionally impressed by the community spirit that the Hindu community participates in, in terms of the volunteering efforts and the community involvement in ensuring that each and every one of you makes a contribution to the well-being of our community.”