AN INAUGURAL event was held in Basingstoke on Sunday.

The Basingstoke Multicultural Forum (BMF) invited the Indian High Commission to conduct a day long clinic at BMF's premises at Chute House, to cater to the local community's specific consular requirements.

All consular services including passport, visa and all other documentation services were provided on the day, saving the need for locals to travel in to London.

While primarily meant for residents of Basingstoke, people from as far away as Portsmouth and Southampton travelled in on the day with their families to take advantage of the clinic.

This is the first such clinic facilitated by the BMF with a view to benefit the various communities that it represents by connecting them to High Commissions of their respective countries of origin.

Arun Mummalaneni, chair person of the BMF, said: "The response was overwhelming and we see the benefit it brings. We intend to conduct similar such clinics in the future regularly."