With the Government in turmoil over the Brexit Agreement, the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Theresa May MP moved the Diwali reception from her residence at No. 10 Downing Street to the more grandeur Darbar Court, an area within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on King Charles Street, Westminster.
The Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Governments along with Mr. Philip May, our Prime Minister’s Husband stepped in for the Prime Minister as the Prime Minister was busy giving a press conference in the wake of two resignations from her Cabinet of Brexit Secretary and Works and Pension Secretary.
The Darbar Court was beautifully decorated keeping in mind the theme of Diwali adorned with flowers and lights. It was a magnificent sight with approx. 300 plus Hindus, Sikhs and Jains attending the celebrations along with the officers of the British Armed Forces. In all, it was a well-attended reception and guests were entertained with music and refreshments. The priest from the Neasden Swaminarayan temple started the reception with prayers and both the Secretary of State and Mr. Philip May paid a tribute to the hardworking and peace loving Indian community. They said that the Indian diaspora has enriched Britain with their culture and is contributing in every aspect of British life.
Guests were given a box of Indian sweets on their departure, courtesy of Swaminarayan Temple, Neasden.
Dr Rami Ranger CBE
Via email
