Just days before Remembrance Sunday, the Armed Forces Hindu Network had an event on the occasion of Diwali. The event was attended by armed forces personnel, community leaders and organisations and Rt Hon LordHowe, Minister of State for Defence and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords.
Launched in 2014 the network helps the Asian community and the members of the armed forces build strong links. On the auspicious time of Diwali is the perfect time to engage with the wider community across all faiths and recognise the contribution of British Hindu’s makes to defence.
Held at the London Scottish Regiment’s Drill Hall, the event comprised of delegates in the traditional ceremony lit the diya’s as Acharya Krishnakanth Attri recited mantra’s. Acharya Attri is the Hindu Chaplin for the Ministry of Defence. Entertainment in the form of dance performances by the Sujata Banerjee dance company.
Speaking at the event Rear Admiral Graeme Mackay said it is the sense of community which binds both the armed forces and Asian community. He added “The key the community has is the sense of goodness and faith which is UK military is a very important lesson. We should be humble in listening and understanding to that while connecting the community. He also spoke of Hinduism and the military having a code which is common.”
Lord Howe in his speech spoke of the shared cherished values of tolerance, freedom and justice shared between Hinduism and the armed forces. The Hindus in the armed forces of today number around 1020 regulars who continue the long a proud tradition of Hindus serving in both the world wars. The armed forces and the British community are bound together by the selfless commitment
The event also saw the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by the Hindu Forum of Britain and Hindu Council of UK. James Greenrod from the Armed Forces Covenant Team told those gathered “it's the promise to ensure that those who serve or had served and their families should be supported by society. It's a voluntary pledge made by organisations of all faiths and sizes to show their commitment to our armed forces community.”
Asian Voice caught up with Dr Jagdish Sharma from Hindu Council of UK after the signing ceremony who said he is proud and honoured to be part of the ceremony. “It commits the Hindu community of Britain through the Hindu Council of UK for the appreciation, commitment and support to the armed forces. With the signing we hope more Hindus will join up considering we are such an important part of society” he said.
Panna Vekaria, Assistant General Sectary of the Hindu Forum of Britain told this paper: “We want to make people aware of the armed forces, it is important for the Hindu community and the armed to work together and be part of one team. “With the signing of the covenant its helps the Hindu community aware that there are the armed forces out there, there are Hindus in the armed forces. There are Hindus not only from the commonwealth countries but British born Hindus who are part of the armed forces and we need to be there to support the families as well.”
