The 10 Downing Street organised a Diwali celebration this year in absence of Prime Minister Theresa May. May was in Brussles on Monday 16 October evening, for a Brexit negotiation. But the celebrations were hosted by Secretary for International Development and the only Indian MP in May's Cabinet, Priti Patel MP, which was attended by almost all Hindu organisations in the UK. An Annakut display (decorated by BAPS Swaminarayan Temple) was in the heart of the room, and the stairs were decorated with Indian crafts, leading to the main hall. Girls in ethnic clothes offered people Indian sweets at the door (peda) as guests walked in.
The formal evening started with a Sanskrit prayer by children of Krishna Avanti School and a simultaneous classical dance performance. Guests included MPs and Peers, including Lord Jitesh Gadhia, the newest Conservative Lord of Indian origin in the UK. Representatives of the Armed Forces also attended the evening. Rt Hon Priti Patel along with the High Commissioner of India to UK HE Yash Kumar Sinha lit the ceremonial lamp to kick start the formal part of the evening
Srutidharma das from the Bhaktivedanta Manor gave a short speech on how one should, “Never give up” in the spirit of Diwali and ended it with a short Vedic prayer.
Rt Hon Priti Patel, addressing 250+ guests, expressed confidence that the "flourishing" relationship between India and the UK will be further strengthened under the "inspirational" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The Indian government led by the inspirational Prime Minister Modi has been such a great friend to Britain. Prime Minister Modi has shown great leadership in India over the last three years and has re-affirmed India's place as a modern and world leading power.”
Paying tribute to the 1.5 million Indian community in the UK she added, “Diwali is an occasion when family, friends and community come together.
“We reflect on our past, look forward to the future and share in the festivities that remind us of the story of Rama and Sita.
“We also commemorate the victory of good over evil, light over dark, and right over wrong.
“In today’s uncertain world with the challenges ahead, we can all learn from the Diwali story how to be determined and be confident.
“And as British Indians, we are a determined and confident people.
“The Indian community in Britain has made a great contribution to this country and consistently punches well-above its weight.
“And as we celebrate Diwali, I want to also celebrate the contribution you make to our country.”
Elaborating on the diaspora's contributions, she added, “Dilip Patel and Krishna Purna Devi Dasi, from Hertfordshire, have spent 35 years volunteering at their local Hare Krishna temple and together they organise the largest Hindu festival outside of India, drawing two million visitors to Hertfordshire.
“Under Dilip and Krishna’s guidance the ‘Janmashtami Festival’ has inspired 1,500 volunteers to get involved and attracts tens of thousands of attendees a year.
“Many of us have joined in the festivities at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Dilip and Krishna’s work has been significant in expanding its reach and prominence as a cultural centre.”
The Diwali celebrations in London this year will conclude with an annual ceremony by the City Hindus Network on 27th October. It started with Mayor's Diwali at the Lalit Hotel, followed by the huge celebration at the Trafalgar Square on Sunday 15th.
