"It is to you, the British Hindu community that we owe a debt of gratitude for your contribution to the country and the values you champion," he said last night after lighting a lamp to commence the annual Diwali reception at the House of Commons organised by the Hindu Forum of Britain, the largest umbrella body of British Hindus.
"For us here at Westminster, Diwali is one of the great days, one of the great events in our calendar. I am delighted to see so many of my parliamentary colleagues here from both Houses who worked closely with the Hindu Forum of Britain to make the event such a success," he told the function hosted by parliamentarians from different parties.
Over 100 MPs, ministers, cabinet secretaries, diplomats, businessmen, community leaders and civil servants in Britain attended the fifth Diwali reception at the House of Commons, which was transformed into a mini-India with lamps, rangoli patterns, sacred food displays, exhibits, Indian sweets gifts and incense.
"This year marks the fifth anniversary of the annual Diwali at Westminster reception," said Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the Hindu forum of Britain who has recently been appointed on the Commission of Integration and Cohesion.
"The multi-party reception is an expression of the British Hindu community's success in cohesively integrating into British society."
Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the National Ethnic Minority Task force who was the main Parliamentary host for the event, said, "These celebrations provide us an opportunity to celebrate the most important festival in the Indian calendar in the mother of Parliaments.
Britain is a nation of many faiths and cultures and our diversity is the envy of the world." Opposition leader David Cameron, who had recently visited India, spoke about the common bonds that exist between Britain and India and the burgeoning special relationship between the two countries.
"Diwali is a wonderful festival, celebrated both in this country and around the world. It is an opportunity to reflect on the immensely valuable contribution that the Hindu community has made to national life in this country," he said.
Sir Menzies Campbell, MP, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party said, "The Diwali reception of the House of Commons has become a highlight of the parliamentary year.
"The inclusive nature of the festival is demonstrated in bringing together parliamentarians of all parties and the communities they represent in celebration of the festival of lights."
Prominent among those present at the function included Jack Straw, leader of the House of Commons, Baroness Amos, leader of the House of Lords, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for transport and Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health.
