UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lauded the contribution of the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities in helping people during the coronavirus pandemic and responding to the crisis with “compassion, community spirit and a can-do attitude”.

Johnson said this in his message during a virtual Diwali prayer meet organised by NRI entrepreneur GP Hinduja and his family on Sunday.

“Congratulations to everyone on this fantastic “Virtual Diwali” festival. This brings the spirit of Diwali into people’s homes while helping the people to remain safe,” Johnson said.

It is not easy when the people want to get together with their family or visit their friends or share with them the Diwali fun and samosa or gulab jamun , he said.

“I want you to know that your sacrifices and your determination to do the right thing really are helping to save lives... I have been blown away by the inspirational way in which Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have responded to this crisis with compassion, community spirit and a can-do attitude,” Johnson said.

He said he has the confidence that “together we will overcome this virus as Diwali teaches us that light triumphs over darkness and good over evil, knowledge over ignorance.”

“So let us pull together once again in a huge collective effort and just as Lord Rama and his wife Sita found their way home after the defeat of the demon king Ravana, their way lit by many millions of lamps, so too shall we find our way through this and we shall do so triumphantly,” he said.

ALSO READ: UK’s post-Brexit visa rules for skilled workers may benefit India

Prince Charles inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional Diwali lamp. The prayer meeting was attended by leading multi-faith spiritual heads and other leaders.

In his message, Prince Charles said the festival of light is a special time for families and friends to get together to share gifts and sweets and enjoy each other’s company.

“Very sadly this year, the ongoing public health crisis means that this will simply not be possible for so many of you and I can well imagine how difficult and disappointing this must be,” he said.

The highlight of the ‘Virtual Diwali’ prayer was a nearly three-hour-long musical extravaganza by some of Bollywood’s leading playback singers including Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher, Anup Jalota, Shankar Mahadevan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

ALSO READ: Eyeing post-Brexit opportunities, Indian firms keen to set up shop in London

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW