families are coming together, lights are being strungup, the food is going in the oven, diwali is upon usonce again.
as the celebrations get underway, from london toleicester, glasgow to gwent, bristol to birmingham,i want to send out my very best wishes to everyonecelebrating the festival of lights.
this is a great moment in our national calendar andan opportunity to shine a light on the communitieswho do so much to make britain great. in every walk of life, in every corner of our country, youcan see the immense contribution of hindus, sikhs, jains and buddhists. treating patients inour nhs, teaching children in our schools, building the businesses that boost our economy,keeping our streets safe in the police and armed forces and all the while helping to make britainwhat we are so proud to be: the greatest multi-racial democracy on earth.
day in day out, these communities put into practice the very best of british values likegenerosity, responsibility, enterprise, family. nowhere are those values more evident than inpeople’s religious beliefs.
i think of the people of neasden mandir or those at gurdwara sahib leamington and warwick,demonstrating every day the devotion and dedication they derive from their faith by helpingothers.
i want to thank all of them for their incredible contribution to britain. we are better andstronger for it.
and to everyone celebrating, let me wish you a happy and peaceful diwali and a prosperousnew year.
shubh diwali!