November 8, 2021
2 mins read

Boris, Priti Visit Neasden Temple For Diwali

This was the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s fifth visit to the Neasden Temple, reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel celebrated the Diwali festival at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir- popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’.

This was the Prime Minister’s fifth visit to the temple. Johnson was greeted in a traditional Hindu manner with auspicious marks of welcome and goodwill before being taken on a brief tour of the stone temple complex, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a statement.

Neasden
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary Priti Patel visit Neasden Temple during Diwali. (ALL PICS: Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street)

Patel was similarly welcomed upon her arrival at the temple earlier and joined the UK Prime Minister to offer a fruit basket at the central shrine of the mandir’s inner sanctum, where they spent several minutes absorbing the peace and intricate architecture.

Thereafter, the distinguished guests proceeded to view some exhibits summarising Neasden Temple’s nationwide Covid-19 relief efforts – an initiative inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

The global Hindu leader had issued a call in March 2020 for all BAPS volunteers to serve the elderly, needy and vulnerable in local communities, and to ensure that everyone remained informed, safe and supported throughout the pandemic.

They later met some of these volunteers, including keyworkers keeping the nation safe and mobile, men and women who prepared and delivered food to the vulnerable, and the team keeping communities connected and informed through online services.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary Priti Patel visit Neasden Temple during Diwali. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

Sharing some of his impressions from his visit, Johnson said: “What His Holiness [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] has contributed to the United Kingdom has been incalculable. I see it here today at the Neasden Temple. I have been here many times, but I don’t think I have ever been here at a time when the Neasden Temple has been so central to the life of the whole of the London community.”

Patel said: “The Temple has been at the forefront of every single activity in the local community, but also at a time of a national crisis which, of course, the pandemic was.”

Before departing, Home Secretary Patel further spoke about the “incredible work” of the Mandir, which the Prime Minister lauded as “an absolutely perfect representation of community spirit in action”.

Sanjay Kara, a BAPS trustee in the UK, shared, “It was an honour to have the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary join the local community of British Hindus to celebrate Diwali at Neasden Temple. We offer our prayers that they can serve the public ably and look forward to working with them in support of our great nation.” (ANI)

ALSO READ – Glittering Diwali at India Pavilion

Previous Story

Pavan Malhotra: Fear of failure never stopped me

Next Story

Candidates for Libyan elections can submit applications from Monday

Latest from -Top News

Riyadh and Islamabad Forge Closer Military Ties

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan strengthen defence ties as shifting regional dynamics push both nations to seek new security alignments Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have deepened their long-standing military partnership by agreeing to

Iran Warns of ‘Strategic Surprises’

Mousavi assured Iranians that the country’s armed forces, relying on strategic surprises, stand fully prepared to confront any threat from “oppressive powers” Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed

New York summit for two states

France and Saudi Arabia host a New York summit on Palestinian statehood, with global leaders set to recognise Palestine despite Israel and US boycotts and threats. France and Saudi Arabia will host

Dubai’s big startup bet!

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed launches bold national campaign to transform the UAE into the world’s startup capital, training 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs and creating 30,000 jobs by 2030. Dubai’s ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed

Piyush Goyal in US for Trade Talks

Goyal’s trip to the US capital follows the visit of the US team of officials to Delhi on September 16….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Patel’s old speech on ‘Sikh separatism’ causes a row

Patel was born in London to a Gujarati family, and

Cameron renews call for BBC to label Hamas as terrorists

Lord Cameron urged the organization to reconsider how it labels