British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday graced renowned spiritual leader Morari Bapu's Ram Katha at the Jesus College, Cambridge University. This marks a significant moment as Morari Bapu conducts his 921st recital, titled 'Manas Vishwavidyalay,' on the grounds of the esteemed Cambridge University, making it the pioneering instance of a Hindu programme held at a British university.
Mr Sunak will be the first Indian-origin British Prime Minister in history to visit New Delhi next month for the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 9-10 September. It will be his maiden trip as the Prime Minister of the UK to India, though many of his Cabinet Ministers have travelled to India recently, for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Health Secretary Steve Barclay is also due end of this week, to join the G20 Health Summit in Gandhinagar from 17-19 August.
While India, according to a report published in The Times of India is looking to complete the FTA negotiations with UK over the coming 2 weeks, it is widely believed, this will be much later, but part of a ‘Diwali’ gift and a major celebration in both countries.
Speaking to Asian Voice at an exclusive interview, Mr Sunak said that he was looking forward to visiting India as a representation of UK’s 1.7 million ‘living bridge’. “I am always excited to visit India, particularly in this the way that you describe (first British Indian PM of the UK) will be special,” said the PM. “And I'm a representation of a living bridge between our two countries. So, it will be a particularly memorable moment and meaningful to me personally.”
Speaking about FTA he added, “I've had very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi, about our shared commitment, conclude, you know, a good FTA. I have always said with all FTAs, that I don't want to put arbitrary deadlines on them, because we should focus more on the quality than rush things, for the sake of it, that both you and I are committed to it. We look forward to the teams that are talking, and we look forward to making progress.”
When asked if the same ‘living bridge’ was important for him in the upcoming UK General elections in 2024, Mr Sunak emphasised that people’s “voices” needed to be heard. “I think it's important for people everywhere, to make sure that their voices are heard,” he said. “And elections are an important part of that. As a party, we're proud of the support that we have from the British Asian community. I personally have been humbled and touched by it, the personal support that I have received from the British Asian and British Hindu community, and it's given me strength in this job that I have to do, which is not an easy job. I draw strength from my faith, and I also draw on the support of everyone who's willing me to succeed, as many people from the community are.
“In our party, Lord Dolar Popat has been on the forefront of this for over a decade, making sure that we also are doing a good job of broadening the representation of our candidates. It's something that I think we're proud of, and it's an effort that Lord Popat started, me when just been selected as a candidate and I'm sitting here with you as the Prime Minister, and the first leader of the Conservative Party and the first Prime Minister from my background. That tells you that we as a party care deeply about this. But ultimately, I'm delivering for the whole country. I set out a set of priorities that will benefit everyone, no matter what their background is. My vision and the type of country that I'm trying to build is one, where regardless of your background, regardless of where you grew up, or what your parents do, you've got every opportunity to succeed and build a fulfilling, purposeful, prosperous life for you and your family and that's what I'm striving to achieve in the job.”
Attending the Ram Katha, Mr Sunak joined the aarti on the stage as well as served food (prasad) to the volunteers. He was also gifted with a consecrated Shivlinga from Somnath by Bapu. While serving food, the PM was joined by Cllr Ameet Jogia, a Political Adviser at No 10 as well as a Parliamentary candidate for Hendon at next year’s general election. When asked what bit of Ramayana inspired the PM the most, Mr Sunak excitedly narrated the story of his childhood with his grandmother to Asian Voice.
With a smile he said, “When I think of Ramayana, it reminds me of a very vivid memory of my dadiji (grandmother). She used to babysit for us a lot growing up. I didn't have my dadaji (grandfather) because he passed away when I was very young. When she was babysitting us, I used to put on Ramayana videos for her. Then when Luv-Kush came out that was kept extra, more tapes for her to keep her occupied. So that is quite a special memory for me.
“I myself listen to Hanuman Chalisa quite a lot. The story of Hanuman is inspiring and as I said, I have a tough job. So, everyone in these jobs has different things that they draw on to give them strength, courage, and resilience. And for me, part of that is the story of Hanuman and Hanuman Chalisa, in particularly so.”
