The Hindu Forum of Britain [HFB] celebrated its 15th Diwali celebrations at the House of Commons on 26th October 2016. The Terrace Pavilion was transformed from its House of Commons attire to a colourful, bright, luminescent, vibrant manifestation of the very essence of Diwali. This was the fifteenth consecutive year the HFB has held the Festival of Lights celebrations with great success.
The event has now become the centre piece of all Diwali celebrations in the UK. It commands support of MPs, Peers, Ministers from the Government Front Bench as well as leading lights from other political parties. If this is not enough, the event attracts huge support from dignitaries, leading business leaders,community leaders, Mandir Trustees and interfaith representatives.
Mrs Trupti Patel, President of the HFB said, ‘The Hindu community represents one of the most well integrated communities in the UK. It adds significant value to the very fabric of British society. The Values of the Hindu faith are eternal. It promotes love, peace, righteousness, truth, justice and equalities in all its manifestations. It is therefore right that Diwali is celebrated with such splendour in the seat of modern day democracy, the House of Commons’.
This year’s Parliamentary hosts were Bob Blackman MP, Lord Dholakia, Virendra Sharma MP, Rt. Hon. Angus Robertson MP, Caroline Lucas MP and the Rt. Hon. Nigel Dodds OBE MP. The event was further supported with sponsorship from Mr C B Patel and Mr K Nagda of the Karmayoga Foundation, Mr & Mrs Solanki from Event Guru, leading Hindu businesses, Yogi Divine Society and Vascroft Foundation.
As with all Hindu celebrations, it started with prayers performed by Shri Gauridas Prabhuji, spiritual convenor for the HFB. A one minute silence was observed as a mark of respect for our fallen heroes from the armed forces and the emergency services.
Politicians from all political parties lined up to be given an opportunity to give their Diwali message. This line up included the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for International Development the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP, Deputy Leader of Scottish National Party the Rt. Hon. Angus Robertson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government Lord Bourne, Lord Popat the Chief Whip in the House of Lords, the newly appointed Lord Gadhia, Rt.Hon. Dominic Grieve QC MP, Mr Shailesh Vara MP and even Lt Gen David Leakey CMG CBE, otherwise known as Black Rod, came as he does each year. Tradition was followed this year with attendance by the Acting High Commissioner of India, His Excellency, Mr Dinesh Patnaik. Mr Patnaik lit the inaugural lamp along with Lord Popat.
Wonderful messages on the significance of Diwali were shared by all the speakers. Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP said, ‘the HFB is doing sterling work in liaising with both the community and parliamentarians and wish the team and my entire community Happy Diwali’. Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP spoke of his childhood memories associated with the festival and said “it was a real pleasure to celebrate Diwali with the HFB and guests this week in Parliament. The Festival of Lights gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the tremendous contribution that those of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths make to our country’’.
Communities Minister Lord Bourne said, “I was delighted to be able to share in the celebrations at the House of Commons this week. In celebrating Diwali we appreciate the diversity that enriches this country, the common values we share and the importance of coming together.” Adding to this, Lord Gadhia stated, ‘as we look forward to the Hindu New Year ahead, my special prayer is that we can build more of the same “spirit of unity” that has brought so many different Hindu organisations here today under one banner. It may be a cliché but: Unity is our strength’.
HE Mr Dinesh Patnaik explained that Diwali is more than light over darkness, that we can also consider conquering misery and ignorance with knowledge and enlightenment. Lord Popat reminded everyone of how British Indians make up a community group that contributes significantly more per capita to Britain’s GDP, consume minimal of national resources and have the lowest presence in the prisons. Bob Blackman MP, the principal sponsor of the Diwali at House of Commons conveyed the Diwali message from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP and wished everyone a happy, prosperous and healthy Diwali.
The celebrations were enhanced with the beautiful chanting of Vishnu Stuti, Vedic prayers, by the students of Sai School in Harrow. Smt Nrithya Rammohan gave an incredible classical dance performance based on Thillana, a pure dance form dedicated to Mother Goddess. If this was not enough, performers from the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir provided colour and vibrancy in a stunning dance performance that had the audience in awe. This year was made extra special by the attendance of Maharaj Kumar Ajatshatru Singh (Jammu and Kashmir).
Mr Virendra Sharma MP thanked the HFB team for organising such a wonderful event and requested the team to organise more festivals at the Palace of Westminster.
Diwali has become a time when the world is reminded that it is in our common humanity, that we will find the light that will sustain humanity itself for the future. The eternal message of Diwali has stood the test of time and is as relevant today, if not more, than it has ever been. The gathering dispersed with one thought, Diwali 2017.
Source : Press Release by HFB
