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LONDON, UK, October 30, 2003: In a momentous occasion for the Indian community in Britain, Diwali has been celebrated inside the House of Commons, with Prime Minister Tony Blair lighting the traditional lamp to mark the festivities. Presiding over the function, attended by more than 100 Members of Parliament and 400 guests, Blair said that he was “deeply touched by the unity, warmth and joy this festival brings each year and the spirit with which it is celebrated.” “It is a great privilege and pleasure for me to share in the joy of celebrating Diwali with the Hindu community in the House of Commons. Diwali is now celebrated by different communities across the UK and its growing popularity helps to strengthen the bonds between them,” he said. “The Prime Minister’s celebration of Diwali in the House of Commons is a unique achievement in the history of the British Parliament,” India-born MP Keith Vaz said who organized support from other parliamentarians for holding the event. “The major difference this year is that we have introduced an interfaith element to the celebrations,” said Ramesh Kalidai, general secretary of the Hindu Center for Communications and coordinator for the event. “Leaders of all the main faiths and all three political parties came together at the House of Commons to celebrate and share the universal message of Diwali.”

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