For the
first time ever, Annakut was offered in the British Parliament.
This was history and the Hindu community was overjoyed by the
celebrations steeped with devotion. Volunteers of BAPS Swaminarayan
Sanstha worked hard to set up the Annakut and along with other
volunteers, they contributed to make the whole celebration a
grand success.
The House
of Commons in London celebrated Diwali and the Hindu New Year
on Wednesday 29 October 2003. Members of Parliament from all
the parties, initiated by Keith Vaz, MP organised the Diwali
function in association with Hindu leaders. The Prime Minister,
Tony Blair, graced the occasion. He highlighted Diwali as a
festival that brings hope and family unity and he spoke with
pride of the achievements of Indians in the UK.
Held in
the Members’ Dining Hall, the function was attended by
over 30 MPs and almost 250 outstanding members of the Hindu
Community, including representatives from 52 Hindu organisations.
The Diwali celebration was supported by the Parliamentary Host
Committee and was a spectacular success.
The Peace
Chant – “Shanti Paath” – was recited
in Sanskrit by children of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
The Prime
Minister, the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Chairman of the
Conservative Party Teresa May and other ministers and leading
Members of Parliament lauded the Hindu spirit of respect and
tolerance. They also stressed that such a celebration in the
British Parliament was a natural sequel to the tremendous contribution
by the Hindus towards the economy and prosperity of Britain.
Many speakers made a special reference to the Swaminarayan Hindu
Mission being outstanding in its organising capabilities and
in promoting Hindu culture and tradition abroad.
Distinguished
MPs from all parties, such as Simon Hughes, Peter Luff, Stephen
Pound, Barry Gardiner, Tonny Baldry, Dominic Grieve and Lady
Hermon, etc. spoke of Diwali as an important and enjoyable Hindu
festival in a flourishing, multicultural Britain.
The highlight
of the celebration was offering of Annakut to God. With over
75 vegetarian sweet items offered to Shri Akshar Purushottam
Maharaj, Shri Radha-Krishna & Shri Sita-Ram, everyone was
deeply touched by the devotion, dedication and divinity of the
Diwali celebrations.
At the
end, all the guests and visitors were presented a pack of Hindu
literature and sanctified prasaadam.
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=link}
