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British Indian Peer Hosts Raksha Bandhan Celebration in Parliament
Lord Krish Raval helped organize a Raksha Bandhan celebration in the UK Parliament.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival where people tie a special thread called a Rakhi.
The thread represents care, protection and a strong bond between people.
Guests included politicians, religious leaders and members of the Armed Forces.
Some speakers said the celebration showed how different cultures and faiths are part of the military.
They also thanked service members for helping protect the country.
Hindu Defence Network representatives said personnel should be able to follow their faith and feel understood.
The event included prayers, the tying of Rakhis and a traditional Indian dance performance.
Lord Krish Raval hosted a Raksha Bandhan event with the Defence Hindu Network at the House of Lords.
The gathering featured Vedic chants, Hindu religious leaders, parliamentarians, Armed Forces representatives and community figures.
Raval linked the sacred thread’s protective meaning to the United Kingdom’s security challenges and thanked the Armed Forces.
Speakers highlighted the cultural diversity of Britain’s military and encouraged people of Indian heritage to serve.
The event ended with defence personnel receiving Rakhis and a Bharatnatyam performance by 16-year-old Disha Varsani.
- Who
- Lord Krish Raval, the Defence Hindu Network, parliamentarians, religious leaders and United Kingdom Armed Forces representatives attended.
- What
- A Raksha Bandhan celebration was held, featuring Vedic chants, speeches, Rakhi-tying and a Bharatnatyam performance.
- Where
- The River Room in the House of Lords, London, overlooking the River Thames.
- When
- Monday, September 16; the articles do not specify a year.
- Why
- The event celebrated Hindu cultural heritage, recognized the Armed Forces’ diversity and honored their role in protecting the United Kingdom.
Key facts
- Host
- Lord Krish Raval, a Labour Party peer
- Co-organizer
- The Defence Hindu Network
- Venue
- The River Room, House of Lords, London
- Opening
- Traditional Vedic chants and shlokas by Acharya Krishan Attri
- Military focus
- The diversity and service of United Kingdom Armed Forces personnel
- Rakhi ceremony
- Sister Jaymini tied sacred threads on defence personnel and other guests
- Closing performance
- Bharatnatyam by 16-year-old student Disha Varsani
Quotes
Lord Krish Raval
British Indian Labour peer who hosted the House of Lords celebration
“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”
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Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi
British Sikh Labour MP and chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee
“Whether it’s in the RAF (Royal Air Force), 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”
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Air Commodore Dan James
Royal Air Force officer who addressed the celebration
“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”
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Sources
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