Music, dance and tributes to Sardar Patel marked a special London gathering celebrating the Indian Prime Minister’s political journey and India’s growing global stature.
Indian music, dance and a strong sense of national pride filled the historic surroundings of the House of Lords in London as the Sardar Patel Memorial Society brought together prominent members of the Indian diaspora to mark 25 years of Narendra Modi’s public service and pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Iron Man.
From traditional dance performances to speeches celebrating India’s progress and the contribution of its leaders, the event offered an opportunity for the community to reflect on the country’s journey, its achievements and its place on the world stage.
Modi’s political journey began in Gujarat, where he was sworn in as Chief Minister on 7 October 2001. He subsequently became one of India’s most prominent political figures, serving as Chief Minister for more than a decade before becoming Prime Minister in 2014. His rise from a humble background, without a political family lineage, was a recurring theme in the tributes paid during the evening.
A celebration of India’s cultural heritage
The programme opened with a performance by Chinu Kishore, Secretary of the United Assam Association UK (UAAUK), who presented a traditional Sattriya dance. Originating in Assam, Sattriya is one of India’s classical dance forms, combining expressive movement with a rich spiritual and cultural tradition.
Explaining her choice of performance, Chinu said she felt proud to dedicate the dance to the Prime Minister as part of the celebrations. She was followed by Premananda Sahoo, who had travelled from India to perform a traditional Odissi dance. His performance, accompanied by music from Odisha, was warmly received by the audience and added another dimension to the evening’s celebration of India’s cultural diversity.
Celebrating India’s leaders and achievements
Lord Rami Ranger FRSA, Chairman of the Sardar Patel Memorial Society, welcomed the opportunity to celebrate both the country’s historic leaders and its contemporary achievements. “Look how far we’ve come as Indians. Just think about it – what is our biggest export? Well, it is our people. Each one of us. Today we have been able to achieve this because of leaders past and present,” he said.
Emphasising the Society’s commitment to remembering India’s freedom struggle, Lord Ranger paid tribute to Sardar Patel and other leaders who helped secure the country’s independence. Turning to the present, he said Modi’s leadership made the Indian community proud, highlighting in particular his contribution to women’s empowerment.
“Of the many things he has done, I really admire what he has done for the upliftment of women. Being raised by a single parent, I know the hardships women in India have to put up with. He has done a lot to alleviate their status,” Lord Ranger said.
Our very own CB Patel, publisher and editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, also described the occasion as a moment of pride for the Indian community. “To me, this is a proud moment. The transformation of India is unparalleled,” he said, reflecting on Modi’s impact since the beginning of his political journey. He praised the Sardar Patel Memorial Society for bringing people together to celebrate India’s leadership and achievements, adding that the community could feel proud of the country’s progress.
Concluding his remarks with an emphatic message, he declared: “Bharat Zindabad, Sardar Patel Zindabad, Narendra Modi Zindabad.”
Maheshbhai Patel, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Minster Care Group, described Modi ji as a leader who had emerged at a crucial moment in India’s journey. “India is a land that produces a leader at the time of need. Today that leader is Narendra Modi. We are so proud of him and he has helped India so much. To us in the Indian community, today we can stand up and say, yes, we are Indian,” he said.
Jayeshbhai (Jayanti) Patel, Managing Director of Abbey Total Group, highlighted the Prime Minister’s dedication to public service and his focus on improving people’s lives. “Mr Modi has devoted his entire life and all his time in the service of India. From early hours to very late hours, he is working for the country,” he said. Reflecting on Modi ji’s journey from Gujarat to national leadership, Jayeshbhai added that his work had helped communities, “meet their basic needs and aspire to achieve more for themselves and the country”.
The speeches were accompanied by traditional high tea and cream cakes, adding a distinctly British touch to an occasion celebrating India’s heritage and achievements.
Unity, faith and India’s place in the world
Anil Bhanot, a founding member of Hindu Council UK said, “Mr Modi has looked after everyone, not just Hindus. That is what Sanatan Dharma is – that we respect the spirituality in every religion. This is the core message that his policies work under,” Expressing his satisfaction with Modi’s tenure, Bhanot suggested that the Prime Minister could continue to serve the country in another constitutional role in the future, should he eventually step down from office.
Ramesh Arora, a holistic hospitality entrepreneur and global business leader with more than four decades of experience across hospitality, tourism, investment and international business, congratulated Modi ji on the milestone. “I want to firstly congratulate Narendra Modi ji for completing 25 years of service. I had the privilege of attending Mr Modi’s inauguration ceremony. Now, we hope he will continue to serve us for many more years,” he said.
He also reflected on India’s evolving global standing, describing it as both a spiritual superpower and an increasingly influential force on the international stage.
Music that connected India’s cultural traditions
The evening also featured a musical tribute to the late Bhupen Hazarika, the celebrated cultural icon and Bharat Ratna recipient. Renowned violinist and artist Sunita Bhuyan performed Ganga Behti Ho Kyun, explaining the meaning of the beautiful words before rendering the song on the violin. She also explored its connection with Paul Robeson’s Ol’ Man River and performed the Bengali version, offering the audience a glimpse into the cultural connections that transcend borders and languages.
Bhuyan noted that Hazarika’s music held a special place in Modi’s heart, recalling the Prime Minister’s participation in celebrations marking the legendary artist’s 100th birth anniversary in Guwahati in 2025.
Hirdesh Gupta, who served as master of ceremonies, then brought the cultural programme to a close.
Keeping Sardar Patel’s legacy alive
In the final address, Dr Krishna Pujara, General Secretary of the Sardar Patel Memorial Society, reflected on the significance of the gathering and the organisation’s longstanding mission. “It has been truly amazing what we have experienced today. Our society has been around for four decades and has been promoting the legacy of Sardar Patel ji. We continue to promote Sardar Patel ji’s vision of unity,” she said.
Dr Pujara highlighted the Society’s events as opportunities for the Indian community to come together, celebrate its shared heritage and reflect on the contributions of leaders who have shaped India’s past and present. The connection between the evening’s two central figures was clear: Sardar Patel’s historic role in uniting India and Modi’s emphasis on national identity and India’s global standing provided a common thread running through the speeches and celebrations.
The proceedings concluded with a special cake bearing the Prime Minister’s image. The dignitaries gathered around the table to cut the cake before guests continued their conversations over cream tea.
As the evening drew to a close, the gathering offered a celebration of Indian culture, community and leadership in the heart of London – honouring Sardar Patel’s enduring legacy while marking a milestone in Narendra Modi’s public life.
