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Cameron hosts Diwali reception

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PROMINENT members of the Hindu and Sikh communities joined Prime Minister David Cameron at a special reception at Downing Street to celebrate Diwali on October 20.Cameron paid tribute to the ‘great contribution’ Hindus make to the UK, and to illustrate, noted the the ArcelorMittal Orbit, Olympic Park sculpture designed by Anish Kapoor and funded by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, ‘one of our most influential business leaders’.The prime minister also praised the contribution of sports personalities, businessmen and politicians such as Keith Vaz, Labour MP and chairman of the home affairs select committee, whom Cameron described as a ‘friend’.He said: "I want to share this celebration with you, to celebrate what British Hindus do and the great contribution you make to our country."This great festival, of light over darkness, of good over evil… it’s such an important time, for Hindus, for Jains, for Sikhs all over Britain."Cameron also noted that Hindus were serving in the Army and he had met one who was on the frontline at Garmsir in Afghanistan and praised the community for its contribution to many different walks of life.He joked that his children had almost converted to Hinduism. "They like all the lights and the sweet things," he told guests at the event.More than 75 guests attended the annual reception at Downing Street. Among those present were the actor Jimi Mistry, entrepreneur and the founder of Lebara, Yoganathan Ratheesan, as well as MPs and peers.

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