PRIME Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the Asian community in Britain as Downing Street celebrated Diwali at a special reception on Wednesday (November 17).
Leading members from the UK’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, including India’s High Commissioner Nalin Surie, attended the event, the second time Number 10 has hosted the festival of lights.
Cameron said: ‘Diwali, with all its references to friendship, to family, to fellowship – I think it’s something the whole country can celebrate.’
The prime minister noted that the Diwali celebrations in Leicester are the second largest in the world outside India.
Members of parliament, business leaders, media and sports personalities, community leaders and members from the armed forces were among those present at the reception.
Cameron added: ‘We have people who’ve done amazing things in terms of entrepreneurialism and business. We also have people who’ve made a huge contribution to the artistic and cultural life of our country.
‘I think when we look at what British Hindus and British Indians have contributed to our country in every single sphere, (we find that) they have excelled. We should celebrate that here in this room tonight for all that you contribute to our country.’
High commissioner Surie and the prime minister also lit a lamp to mark the start of the Hindu New Year and to symbolise the victory of hope, perseverance, and prosperity.
