Wales first minister attends Diwali celebrations, Ganges project inauguration in Cardiff

MARK Drakeford, the first minister of Wales, on Friday (12) joined the Indian government's official Diwali celebrations at Cardiff University and inaugurated the Namami Gange exhibition.

The occasion saw performances from Indian dancers and musicians. The university building was lit up in colours of the Indian national flag.

Besides Drakeford, Indian high commissioner to the UK Gaitri Issar Kumar and Indian honorary consul Raj Aggarwal, who organised the event at the Centre for Student Life at Park Place in central Cardiff, were also present. The celebrations also saw attendance of 150 guests.

A cultural event underway at Cardiff University on the occasion of celebration of Diwali. (Photo credit: HCI Wales)

Drakeford said on the occasion, “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of international collaboration. There are strong links between India and Wales in health, not least through the efforts of medical professionals from the Indian community in Wales. Diwali is an occasion for us to acknowledge this and the wider contribution that the community makes to Wales.”

The event saw the launch of the Namami Gange (Obeisance to the Ganges River) exhibition which highlights important environmental projects to protect the Ganges River and its ecosystem. The exhibition also encourages engagement from the people in the UK who want to involve themselves in the rejuvenation of the river system.

A scene from the Namami Gange exhibition at Cardiff University. (Photo credit: HCI Wales)

“I am delighted that the Indian government has included Wales as one of the venues for the Namami Gange programme. It is an ambitious project and I hope that there is scope for expertise in Wales to contribute to its success,” Drakeford said.

Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford (far right) joins Indian honorary consul Raj Aggarwal (right) and Indian high commissioner to the UK Gaitri Issar Kumar for Diwali Celebrations at Cardiff University on Friday, November 12, 2021. (Photo credit: HCI Wales)

"It is an honour that the first minister is here hosting this celebration of Diwali, not only for the community of Indian origin in Wales but also to reinforce the warm bonds of friendship between the people of Wales and the 1.3 billion people of India," the Indian high commissioner said, adding, "The Indian community in Wales are so thoroughly integrated and contributing to the prosperity of Wales and strengthening the healthcare and services sector of the nation. I want to thank the political and community leaders of Cardiff for their role in making generations of the Indian origin community feel welcome and secure here in Wales."

The Cardiff Castle lit up in the colours of the Indian Tricolour. (Photo credit: HCI Wales)

In his speech, honorary consul Aggarwal said, “It was great to have everyone back and able to celebrate Diwali together again. Last year we were unable to have a physical event during the Covid outbreak so this year is particularly special and we are able to meet up with old friends and colleagues again and watch these amazing dancers and musicians and celebrate this great festival in the Hindu calendar.”

Ashok Kumar, Joint Secretary and Executive Director of National Mission of Clean Ganga (left) presents a book titled 'Rowing down the Ganges' to Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford. Indian high commissioner to the UK Gaitri Issar Kumar looks on. (Photo credit: HCI Wales)

Drakeford was presented on the occasion a book named ‘Rowing down the Ganges’ by Ashok Kumar, joint secretary and executive director of National Mission of Clean Ganga. The book speaks about various aspects of the river’s rejuvenation programme.