MP’s celebration brings light into the House
THE town’s MP co-hosted a celebration for the Hindu festival of light Diwali at the Houses of Parliament.
Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport co-hosted the cross-party event held in the state rooms of the speaker, the Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP.
Diwali, known as the ‘festival of lights’, is celebrated across five days and this year commenced from November 1.
To mark the festival attendees, who included members of the Hindu community from across the country as well as MPs and Peers, were joined by a Hindu priest who lit a traditional lamp - a key part of the festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
Labour MP Navendu Mishra said: “It was a pleasure to co-host the first Diwali event held under the Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP’s speakership in the Speaker’s House in the House of Commons.
“I hope this will be a step in raising greater awareness about the festivals Hindu and Sikh communities celebrate.
“I am truly grateful to Mr Speaker for understanding the importance of Diwali and allowing us to celebrate this occasion in the State Rooms.
“The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, which truly resonates with the ideals of our Parliament.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was unable to attend due to his attendance at the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow, but a message was read out form him by Conservative MP Shailesh Vara.
Mr Mishra also read out a message from opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, who is isolating after testing positive for Covid.
The Speaker, the Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP, said: “It is so important that we recognise and join in the celebration of this Festival of Lights with our parliamentary community and friends with the merriment and gladness that it brings.”