VOLUME XIII ISSUE XII NOVEMBER II 2020
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Lord Rami Ranger among top leaders greet the community on the occasion of Diwali …. Reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
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rime Minister Boris Johnson the sick throughout this crisis. To the tem- ers and the heroes in every community hailed the contribution of In- ples that have used their kitchens to feed who have carried out acts of kindness to dian community to various the vulnerable and support our key work- support upport friends, friend , family and neighbours.” frien business sectors and socioMeanwhile, Rishi Meaa nwhile, Chancellorr Ri M R shi political areas of Britain. He apSunak S Su naa k said that celebratceleb b ratpealed to the community to ing Diwali this year thi h s ye e ar follow the safety rules to in the wak wake k e of tthe he celebrate Diwali. “I know it’s disappointing that many Diwali celebrations can’t go ahead in the usual way, and getting together with friends and family is not always going to be possible,” said Mr Johnson in his Diwali message. “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. And as we all pull together, and play our part in defeating this virus, I am filled with awe and respect for the way British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have risen to this challenge, and have gone out of their way to help others. “From the amazing doctors and nurses on the frontline who have cared for
Covid-19 pandemic will be difficult, but also urged to mark the ‘festival of lights’ while adhering to the restrictions. Speaking to the BBC, Sunak, said: “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. 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 off family, fam y, that bond of love is always going to bee there. And it will be there on Dece December 3 ass well.” With a nationwide lockdown in p place in England, the second of its kind si since the onset of the pandemic earlier th this year, many councils are providing online Diwali celebrations on Saturday. Satu Regarding lockdown, the lo which is due to end on D December wh 2, the t he Chancellor said that families ill ie ies need “to stick with this for fo o r a couple more weeks.” We’re goin going to get through this,” he told thro th r ugh this, the t he BBC. “And it’s going i to much beto be so m terr on the other side. And d we’ll have lots of happy afterh ap appy times ti wards. ward d s. But to keep everyone ryon onee safe right righ now, just follow rules.” ow the rule Some S ome of the UK’s most popular will be p opular temples templ hosting virtual ceremovirtu nies to mark the festival. Tens of thousands of peothousa ple usually join Diwali celebraDiw tions in Leicester, believed to be among the biggest bigge outside of India, but the city council has asked to send in video messages. London’s main mai Diwali celebration, which usually attracts around 3 30,000 people to Trafalgar S Square, has also been replaced replace with an online event.