LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan celebrated Diwali at Neasden Temple with thousands of others from the local community.
Khan inaugurated the fireworks display on Sunday (12) evening, which brought a fusion of light and sound into the night skies, a statement said.
Inspired by the selfless service and charity of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the Temple decided to collaborate with The Felix Project. This partnership aimed to aid in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to local food banks. This initiative comes at a crucial time when the cost-of-living crisis is affecting numerous families, the statement added.
“I am in awe of what the Neasden Temple volunteers do. The most joyous thing about your work is not only serving those who are Hindu but everybody – the youth work, the work during the Pandemic, the work to help the elderly, but it is particularly important to help those struggling because of the cost-of-living crisis.
"It makes me really happy to see the partnership between Neasden Temple and The Felix Project. Making sure others benefit from this generosity makes me incredibly proud.”
The Temple also paid tribute to heroes from the armed forces who gave their lives in service to their country during conflicts. This Remembrance Sunday assembly was attended by several people, including members of the British Army, Western Front Association, Royal British Legion, and representatives from diverse faith communities.
Chandni Depala, a volunteer at the Temple, said, “The celebrations at Neasden Temple provided an example of how the festival’s values can transcend boundaries, uniting communities and inspiring acts of kindness and charity. During uncertainty, the message of Diwali, representing light, goodness, and unity, shines even brighter, fostering a sense of hope and harmony in a world that needs it more than ever.”
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, in Scunthorpe, northern England, Britain, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. (Representational image: iStock)
FBU chief raises concern over rise in racist online posts by union members
THE FIRE Brigades Union (FBU) and other trade unions are increasingly concerned about a rise in racist and bigoted online comments by their own members and officials, according to Steve Wright, the FBU’s new general secretary, speaking to the Guardian.
Wright said internal inquiries have revealed dozens of cases involving members using racist slurs or stereotypes, often aimed at asylum seekers.
He said similar issues were reported in other unions, prompting a joint campaign to counter false narratives around immigration and race promoted by far-right groups online.
“People with far-right views are becoming more brazen in what they do on social media, and I’ve witnessed it with my own union around disciplinary cases and the rhetoric of some of our own members,” Wright said to the newspaper.
He added, “Some of our members and sometimes our reps have openly made comments which are racist and bigoted. In my time in the fire service, that has gone up.”
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. A formal statement addressing far-right narratives will be launched at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool next month.
Wright cited the influence of social media and figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage as factors contributing to these incidents. “It feels like an itch that we’ve got to scratch,” he said.
The FBU barred a former official last year for allegedly endorsing racist content on X, including posts from Britain First and Tommy Robinson.
Wright also warned that the union could strike if the government moves to cut frontline fire services.