Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (birth anniversary) was celebrated at 10 Downing Street on Monday 29 April. The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office hosted the celebration.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said, “I am delighted to host this reception. It is the first-ever celebration of Mahavir's Birth Anniversary here at 10 Downing Street. My constituency Hertsmere is wonderfully diverse. We have the Oshwal Centre in the Potters Bar and the SRMD Centre in Bushey.
"Today, it is a moment to select Peace, Equality and the ideologies of Reserving Nature on the birth anniversary of Mahavir. The principles of Mahavir inspire us to serve others and to respect every living being. The Jain community has made tremendous contributions in all fields. We have Yogesh Mehta, Bharat Shah and many more who have contributed to the overall growth of this country.”
Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC Lord Dolar Popat said, “I warmly welcome all to this historic building and the home of our Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. For the first time, Bhagwan Mahavir's birth anniversary reception is held at 10 Downing Street. Deputy Prime Minister Dowden is a good friend of the Jain community. His constituency has the largest population of the Jain community and the largest Jain Temple in the UK having a true representation of the British Jain Community. From Yogesh Mehta, Chairman of Pickford to Bharat Shah, Chairman of Sigma, the Jain community has created a new benchmark for hard work, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, faith and values."
Priest Jay Shah offered prayers and recalled Mahavir’s principle of Ahimsa. He said this year's event was particularly significant, marking the 2,550th anniversary of Lord Mahavir attaining Nirvana.
After Navkar Mantra, all recited Jainam Jayati Shasanam… Trishala Nandan Veer ki, Jay Bolo Mahavir ki.
Some of the key dignitaries who joined the celebration were High Commissioner of India to the UK HE Vikram Doraiswami, Yogesh Mehta, Bharat Shah CBE, Dr Mehool Sanghrajka MBE, Jaysukh Mehta, Nemu Chandaria, Rajesh Jain, Niraj Sutaria, Dr Vinod Kapashi OBE, Dr Mayank Shah, Mayur Mehta, Rumit Shah, Dr Adrian Plau with the special presence of CB Patel Publisher and Editor in Chief of Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's political adviser at No 10, Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE welcomed the guests.
