On Friday 12th August, the Ministry of the Defence concluded its week long Rashka Bhandan celebrations at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, North London. The celebrations took in the sights of several major UK cities and key military bases. Among the dignitaries attending the event at the temple was the Minister for Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, Rt Hon The Earl Howe PC, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, General Gordon Messenger, Bob Branford from the RAF, Dr Manish Tayal Surgeon Lt Cdr of the Royal Navy, Barry Gardner MP, Brent councillor Muhammed Butt, Naval Advisor to the High Commission of India Commodore Sameer Saxena, and key officials of the Temple.
The dignitaries received rakhi bands tied by young children and key members from the community. Alongside the dignitaries, Armed Forces personnel who accompanied the VIPs also received rakhi bands. During the ceremony the VIPs guests were also invited to perform aarti while chanting to devotional payers. Temple Trustee, Dr Mahesh Varsani said, “Our Armed Forces are at the vanguard of protecting us and we should never take them for granted. Our global spiritual leader, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj often visits military installations in India to remind us of the selfless and valiant job that these courageous servicemen and women do. It is for that reason that we are hugely honoured to host the Armed Forces Hindu Network’s flagship Raksha Bandhan event here today.”
Following the rakhi tying ceremony guests Later the guests made speeches praising the link and work between the Hindu community of Britain and the armed forces through the ages. Chair of the Armed Forces Hindu Network, Dr Manish Tayal said values of the Armed Forces such as courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty are a reflection of Hindu core values as illustrated in many Hindu epics and scriptures.
During his presentation he also spoke of the historical link Hindus have played in defending the Britain and her interests. During WW1, an estimated 750,000 Hindus were deployed overseas as part of the British Indian Army, earning 8 Victoria Crosses – the most prestigious award within the military; 3 Hindu RFC fighter pilots fought in WW1 earning 1 Distinguished Flying Cross; Hindus also served in Royal Indian Marine and as ‘lascars’ (seamen on merchant and Royal Navy ships) around 20% of British maritime strength of WW1 was Indian. During WWII, over 1.25 million Hindus fought in British Indian Army, across Europe, Africa and Asia earning 18 Victoria Crosses; Hindu pilots flew in both RAF and Indian Air Force, including during Blitz; the Royal Indian Navy played prominent role in European operations. Today there are currently around 950 Hindus serving in UK Armed Forces.
Stats (in a box)
1.5% of the UK population are Asians
0.6% of Asians are in the Armed Forces
1% in the Army
0.1% in the RAF
0.04% in the Royal Navy
