LONDON, Sep 16: A British Indian peer and the Defence Hindu Network hosted a special Raksha Bandhan celebration at the House of Lords in London, bringing together parliamentarians, Armed Forces personnel, religious figures and community representatives.
The gathering was held at the River Room overlooking the Thames and featured traditional Hindu prayers, cultural performances and messages highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion within the UK’s military services.
Lord Krish Raval, who hosted the event, described the sacred thread associated with the festival as a symbol of protection and said its significance had become particularly meaningful amid what he called uncertain times.
“Raksha Bandhan is a wonderfully ancient tradition and I’m so glad that it has been brought into the House of Lords in such a strong way,” Raval said.
He also praised members of the Armed Forces for their role in protecting the country from continuing threats.
“We live in uncertain times, our friends from the armed forces will know better than me. But our country is under threat perpetually. There are invisible enemies, and we count on you to defend us, to protect us,” he said.
“May that protection never falter, and that is what we are here to mark,” Raval added.
The Raksha Bandhan celebration at UK Parliament opened with Vedic chants and shlokas led by Acharya Krishan Attri, Hindu Chaplain for the UK defence forces. The programme was attended by representatives from different sections of Parliament, the Armed Forces, religious organisations and the wider community.
Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee, highlighted the contribution of personnel from Indian heritage serving across the UK’s military branches.
“Whether it’s in the RAF, whether it’s in the British Army, whether it’s in the Royal Navy, we need your good selves [Indian heritage recruits] to be held up as that standard, and that will then encourage others to join as well,” the British Sikh Labour MP said.
Dhesi also said cultural occasions could encourage people to contribute further to public life and community service.
Air Commodore Dan James said such gatherings provided an opportunity to celebrate cultural traditions while recognising the increasingly diverse composition of Britain’s military.
“Events such as this provide a great opportunity not only to celebrate a rich cultural heritage, but also to recognise the diverse people who make up our services now,” he said.
He added that the UK’s Armed Forces draw strength from people with different backgrounds, faiths, cultures and experiences who work towards the common goal of defending the country and its values.
Flight Lieutenant Nigam Joshi, chair of the Hindu Defence Network, spoke about the organisation’s efforts to support Hindu personnel serving in the Armed Forces.
He said the network was focused on “building relationships and bridges that let Hindu personnel serve with their faith understood, not merely tolerated”.
Spiritual leaders Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, who had travelled from Rishikesh for the Ganga Aarti on the Thames over the weekend, also addressed the gathering.
Sister Jaymini of the Brahma Kumaris UK spoke about the meaning of the festival before tying the sacred thread on defence personnel and other guests.
The programme concluded with a Bharatanatyam performance by 16-year-old student Disha Varsani, adding a cultural dimension to the parliamentary gathering.