Swift Current resident Bula Ghosh was one of the recipients of the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

The medal is the only medal for volunteerism given by the governor general of Canada.

Ghosh is the current president of the Southwest Multicultural Association, and also teaches English at the Great Plains College and said that receiving the award wasn't just about recognizing her for the volunteer work she's done, but recognizing everyone that helped her achieve that.

"The first thought that came to my mind was the recognition, but not only for me but for the many others that have worked with me in different ways and at different times," she said. "I see it as recognition not for me, but for the work that has been done."

The presentation of the award was done by Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Vaughn Solomon Schofield on behalf of Governor General of Canada Julie Payette.

Ghosh was born and raised in Kolkata, India where she was a high school teacher and taught there for 12 years before coming to Canada in 1981 to join her sister in Yorkton.

Bula started her volunteer work with the Yorkton and District Multicultural Council. She spent 18 years in Yorkton before moving to Swift Current in 1999. There she continued her volunteer work by helping revive the Southwest Multicultural Association which was called the Swift Current Multicultural Council at the time.

Ghosh added that getting to know people within the community, and getting to do something selflessly is reward enough for the volunteer work she has done.