British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak performs ‘aarti’ on stage, alongside Hindu spiritual leader Morari Bapu, at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. | Image source: Facebook/Chitrakutdham Talgajarda Morari Bapu
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday, 15 August 2023, that his Hindu faith guides him in all aspects of his life and gives him the courage to do his best as UK Prime Minister. .
During an ongoing visit Ram Katha Conducted by spiritual leader Morari Bapu at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, Britain’s first Indian Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the event to coincide with India’s Independence Day.
“Bapu, I am here today not as Prime Minister, but as a Hindu,” Mr. Sunak said at the start of his speech at the gathering.
“For me, the belief is very personal. It guides me in every aspect of my life. Being Prime Minister is a great honor, but it is not an easy job. There are difficult decisions. to make, the difficult choices to face and our beliefs give me the courage, strength and resilience to do the best I can for our country,” he said. .
The 43-year-old leader shared a special moment when he first lit the diyas Diwali outside No. 1. 11 Downing Street as the first British-Indian Prime Minister in 2020.
Point to a large golden image of Lord Hanuman as the background for Morari Bapu’s Ram KathaThe British prime minister said it reminded him of “a golden statue of Ganesha happily sitting on my desk at 10 Downing Street”.
“It was a constant reminder to me to listen and think about issues before acting,” he says.
Grandfather. Sunak, who has just returned from a family holiday in the US with his wife Akshata Murty and children Krishna and Anoushka, said he is proud to be British and Hindu as he reminisces about his childhood years in Southampton, where he often Visit the neighboring temple with your family.
Sunak said: “Growing up, I have very fond memories of attending our local mandir in Southampton. My parents and family would organize havans, pujas, aartis; afterwards, I would help serve the service. lunch and prasad with his brothers and sisters and cousins”.
“Our values and what I see Bapu doing every day of his life are the values of selfless service, dedication and keeping the faith. But perhaps the greatest value is quest or luck, as we know. These Hindu values are the ones that are very much shared in the UK,” he noted.
Referring to his family’s immigration history, Mr. Sunak noted how many of the hundreds of people gathered at Katha had parents and grandparents who came to the UK with very few from India and East Africa and have gone to great lengths to give their generation him the best opportunities ever.
“Today, I want to say thank you to the generation that worked day and night for our education and our day… now is the time for our generation to give back,” he said.
Ramayan influence, Bhagavad Gita
“I’m leaving today to remember ‘Ramayana’ that Bapu talks about, as well as ‘Bhagavad Gita’ and ‘Hanuman Chalisa’. And for me, Lord Ram will always be an inspirational figure to face with. life’s challenges with courage, to rule with humility and to work selflessly,” added Mr. Sunak.
The British Prime Minister ended his speech with the words ‘Jai Siya Ram’ and continued to join the aarti on stage, with Morari Bapu pleading for the blessings of Lord Hanuman, seeking the “boundless power” to create things. favorable conditions for his service to the British people.
Earlier on Tuesday, the spiritual leader joined Lord Dolar Popat, a British Indian, peer to celebrate India’s Independence Day by raising the flag at Cambridge University.
The spiritual leader commended Sunak’s gesture of offering food like prasad to 50-100 volunteers before attending the event, highlighting its association with India’s intrinsic traditions.
While the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom usually refrains from accepting gifts, Morari Bapu presented him with a consecrated Shivlinga from the Somnath temple as a sacred offering from Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra.
His 9-day Ram Katha at Cambridge University began on 12 August with the reception of Barbados-born Sonita Alleyne, 41st Master and first woman to lead Jesus College since its founding in 1496, and will last until this weekend.
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