CONSERVATIVES leader David Cameron has paid rich tribute to the UK’s Hindu community.
He said their commitment to hard work, family values and patriotism found resonance in the "British way of life".
Heaping praise on British Hindus, the Opposition leader said members of the community, "don’t just contribute to our society. You shine a light on how we must live".
Cameron was speaking on Friday (July 17) at London’s Wembley Arena, where hundreds of Hindus gathered to listen to spiritual leader Shri Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha who teaches lessons from the Ramayana.
"Hindus are the most family-orientated community in Britain. You are more likely to stay married, keep your families together and especially look after your elderly," Cameron said.
"While maintaining their religious and cultural traditions, British Hindus have consistently shown, through their service, their patriotism, their contribution to our society, that they are truly British too," Cameron added.
In his remarks at Wembley last weekend, Cameron said he welcomed Hindus describing themselves as British Hindus, or British Indians, rather than as British Asians – a move some critics would decry as being potentially divisive and giving religious identity too much weight.
But he emphasised how important it was that members of all communities could see themselves in positions of power and authority in Britain.
"One of the greatest challenges we face as a country is to show how it is possible to build a strong, cohesive and united country with people of different faiths, colours and creeds. A united country is one where everyone – no matter who they are and where they come from – feels that they
can rise to the very top."
The Tory leader also stressed the importance of role models within the community.
Although there have been moves to remove barriers of race and ethnicity, more needed to be done to encourage minorities to take up careers in politics, law and the armed forces, Cameron said.
"I want to see more people from your and other minority communities playing their rightful role in helping to run our country to make it a better place for us all to live in.
"The Hindu community is a shining example of the can-do, will-do attitude we need in our country," he said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "The Hindu community’s contribution to our country is immeasurable. Across sport, the arts, business, medicine, academic and the voluntary sector, Hindus are improving life for everyone in Britain. Hindus have made such a huge difference to our country’s prosperity and our culture, and this is something we can all be immensely proud of."
