PRIME minister Boris Johnson on Friday (20) visited the Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip and urged worshippers to embrace the spirit of Navratri, one of the largest festivals in the Hindu calendar.
Calling Navratri an “important moment in the year,” Johnson said families should celebrate the universal message of good over evil.
Johnson said: “The festival of Navratri marks an important moment in the year, when communities and families from all over the country come together to celebrate the universal message of good over evil. I want to wish everyone celebrating this colourful, joyous and exuberant festival over the next nine days a very Happy Navratri.”
The prime minister was welcomed by the temple’s founder and trustee Jaswant Maicha, and met with a number of worshippers, including Pritee Varsani and Mira Salat, directors of Red Lotus Events - organisers of one of the largest Navratri festivals in the UK.
Speaking after Johnson's visit, Varsani said “it was an honour to explain the significance of Navratri to the Prime Minister. It was also encouraging for young British Asian entrepreneurs like us to be seen as investors of cultural Britain, allowing us to expand and share our heritage with the masses.”
Yatin Dawada, president of the Lohana community in North London praised the prime minister for taking time out of his busy schedule to engage with various communities in the country.
Veljibhai Vekaria, president of the Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community added: “I was very impressed to see Boris learning and taking part in the preparations for Navaratri, as well as taking the time to meet community leaders.”
US secretary of state Marco Rubio with India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington DC last Tuesday (21)
Anit Mukherjee
V Muraleedharan
Dr Sasikumar S Sundaram
Workers clean communication equipment aboard INS Surat on January 11