In the morning before the Katha started on Tuesday, Morari Bapu unfurled the Indian Tricolour at Cambridge University, symbolising 77th anniversary of Indian Independence Day. Later up to 3000 guests were expected to be present at the marquee, including youngsters, before PM Sunak joined them.
In his opening remarks of the Katha, Morari Bapu had hailed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not merely as the head of the nation, but as an individual of Indian descent. Bapu had also shared that Mr Sunak's name is derived from the revered sage ‘Rishi Shaunak’.
Opening his speech, Mr Sunak with folded hands said, “It is truly an honour and pleasure to be here today at Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha at the University of Cambridge on Indian Independence Day. Bapu, I am here today not as a prime minister but as a Hindu! For me faith is very personal. It guides me in every aspect of my life. Being Prime Minister is a great honour, but it is not an easy job. There are difficult decisions to make, hard choices to confront and our faith gives me courage, strength, and resilience to do the best that I can for our country.”
“For me, it was a wonderful and special moment to light diyas for Diwali outside 11 Downing Street back when I was Chancellor. And just like Bapu has a Golden Hanuman in his background, I am proud that a Golden Ganesha sits gleefully on my desk at 10 Downing Street,” he said, commenting on Hanuman’s image behind Vyaspeetha, adding, “It is a constant reminder to me about listening and reflecting on issues before acting!”
He recalled his childhood and growing up years in South Hampton where he visited his neighbourhood temple with his siblings and participated in rituals like havans, pujas, artis, and distribution of prasad with his family.
“Our values and what I see Bapu does each day of his life are the values of selfless service, devotion and keeping faith. But perhaps the greatest value is duty or seva, as we know it. These Hindu values are very much shared British values.”
“I leave here today remembering the Ramayana that Bapu speaks on, but also the Bhagavad Gita and the Hanuman Chalisa. And for me, Lord Ram will always be an inspirational figure to face life’s challenges with courage, to govern with humility and to work selflessly.”
“Bapu, with your blessings, I aspire to lead in accordance with how our scriptures have taught leaders to lead,” he said emphatically.
“Thank you, Bapu, for everything that you do. Your teaching of truth, love and compassion are more relevant now than they have ever been,” Rishi Sunak stated.
PM Sunak concluded by lauding Bapu’s inspiring work and limitless stamina and devotion, citing the recently concluded Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra that covered over 12000 kilometres.
In extending a warm welcome to the British Prime Minister, Morari Bapu invoked the blessings of Lord Hanuman, seeking boundless strength to facilitate his devoted service to the people of Britain. Bapu expressed his earnest desire that every citizen of the nation may reap the benefits and rewards stemming from the Prime Minister's visionary leadership.
Bapu acknowledged that while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak typically refrains from accepting gifts, he chose to present a consecrated Shivlinga from Somnath as a token, a sacred offering from the Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra.
(Morari Bapu's Katha commenced on August 12 with a warm reception by Sonita Alleyne OBE, the 41st Master and the first woman to lead Jesus College since its inception in 1496, along with Lord Dolar Popat, a distinguished Conservative peer at the House of Lords, representing the organising family).
