Leaders invoke Diwali spirit to tackle Covid
SUNAK LIGHTS DIYAS ON DOWNING STREET AS PRINCE CHARLES AND JOHNSON EMPHASISE ‘TRIUMPH OF GOOD OVER EVIL’ IN THEIR FESTIVAL MESSAGE
CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak kicked off Diwali celebrations last week by lighting lamps outside Downing Street as Prince Charles and prime minister Boris Johnson conveyed their festive greetings to Hindus, Jains and Sikhs on the occasion.
In a first, the British Indian chancellor marked the Hindu festival by stepping out of his No. 11 Downing Street home to lay out a rangoli (coloured pattern) decoration and light four lamps at the doorstep.
Sunak, 40, has spoken about being a “proud Hindu” over the years. “I know how difficult it is not to be able to see each other,” he said.
“Just a couple more weeks and we are going to get through this and it’s going to be so much better on the other side. We will have lots of happy times afterwards. But, to keep everyone safe right now, just follow the rules.”
Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murthy (whose father is Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy), have two daughters.
“Faith is important to me, I’m a practising Hindu, I pray with my kids, visit the temple when I can – at the moment rather less so because I’m busy,” Sunak told the BBC.
“For us as Hindus, Diwali is special, and it’s going to be difficult this year. But we’ve got Zoom, we’ve got the phone, and most importantly, we’ve got each other.
“Whether you can see someone or not, the bond of family, that bond of love is always going to be there. And it will be there on December 3 as well,” he said, in reference to England’s current strict stay-at-home lockdown coming to an end on December 2.
Sunak’s lighting of the lamps last Thursday (12) night marked a first for Downing Street, which annually sees the prime minister host a
Diwali gathering featuring a display of Annakut, or spread of festive food, from London’s Swaminarayan Mandir, next door at No. 10.
Lockdown restrictions in England and varying degrees of restrictions across most parts of the UK have meant that temples and gurdwaras turned to online virtual festivities this year.
Prince Charles used the analogy of victory of light over darkness as reflective of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic crisis.
In a video message released through the British Asian Trust, a south Asian-based charity of which he is patron, the royal pointed out how the festival this year coincided with his own 72nd birthday. “The Festival of Lights is, I know, a special time for families and friends to come together to share gifts and sweets and to enjoy each other’s companies. Very sadly this year, the ongoing public health crisis means this will simply not be possible for so many of you and I can imagine how difficult and disappointing this must be,” Charles said.
“Amid these strange and difficult circumstances, however, I hope that you might still draw strength from the message of Diwali – that ultimately good will triumph over evil, hope over despair and light over darkness.”
Charles also praised the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities for coming together to do really “vital work” during the pandemic as symbolic of the underlying Diwali message of “timeless values of duty and service”, which resonates with people of all faiths and none. “Together you are an indispensable part of what makes this country so special. Happy Diwali and a happy, peaceful and prosperous year ahead,” he said.
Charles concluded his message by lighting a candle and the words “Shubh Diwali”.
In his message, the prime minister said the “spectacular, joyful festival of Diwali” bursts through the autumnal darkness with an underlying theme of hope and triumph over the coronavirus.
“This year, perhaps more than any other, Diwali holds a potent meaning for all of us; because just as surely as Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana and brought his wife Sita home, and just as Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, so too – I have every confidence – that we shall triumph over Covid-19,” Johnson said.
He reiterated the “mantra” for a year when Diwali is being marked in a locked down setting across the UK for people to wash hands, wear a face covering, and keep their distance from anyone not part of the household.
“Let’s all take comfort from the meaning at the heart of this fantastic festival. And let the many millions of Diwali lights all over the world shine through the darkness as beacons of hope for a better future,” he said, adding his wishes for British Sikhs for Bandi Chhor Divas.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also struck a similar note with his Diwali and Bandi Chhor message for British Hindus and Sikhs.
“As the Hindu community celebrates this time of victory of good over evil, lightness over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, we are reminded of the hope that Diwali brings,” he said in a statement.
“This is particularly significant this year as the world battles the health, economic and social crisis caused by Covid-19.”
Sir Keir also noted “the huge contribution the Hindu community has made during the pandemic, whether that’s giving Sewa to the community and helping those in need or on the frontline working for our NHS. “The Hindu community has always exemplified unity, kindness and excellence. These values have been and will continue to be integral to the success of our nation.”