British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a ‘devout Hindu’, issued his greetings for Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas on Saturday expressing hope for a brighter tomorrow.<\/p>\n
The 43-year-old leader referenced his Indian heritage in the customary festive message from 10 Downing Street for Hindus and Sikhs in the United Kingdom and around the world.<\/p>\n
“Happy Diwali to all those celebrating around the world and across the UK, and a very happy Bandi Chhor Divas to our friends in the Sikh community,” said Sunak.<\/p>\n
“With the lighting of the diyas<\/em>, let this be a moment we can look to the future with hope. My guiding light as Prime Minister is the determination to change things for the better, and as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness, I believe Diwali is a poignant representation of the endeavour for a brighter tomorrow,” he said.<\/p>\n “As your first British Asian Prime Minister, and a devout Hindu, I also hope this can be a celebration of the fantastic ethnic and cultural diversity which makes the UK the place it is today,” he added.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, he and wife Akshata Murty hosted a special Diwali reception<\/strong> at 10 Downing Street, attended by prominent members of the Indian diaspora and also Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna and Preity Zinta.<\/p>\n The Prime Ministerial office-cum-residence was decorated in a theme of vibrant marigolds, rangoli and candles on Wednesday evening as the UK’s first couple marked a year since Sunak took charge as Britain’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage.<\/p>\n A day later, on Thursday, entrepreneur and Noor Group of Hotels UK chief Roop Partap Choudhary said he was among a select group of guests at a special Diwali Milan hosted by the first couple at their Downing Street residence.<\/p>\n “It’s an immense honour to represent not just myself but also my hometown Karnal and the incredible Indian hospitality industry on such a prestigious platform,” said Choudhary, who is preparing to launch the second branch of the popular Colonel Saab Indian restaurant at Trafalgar Square in London later this month.<\/p>\n