House of Commons host gala Janamashtami celebrations

The first Janamashtami event at the British Parliament was celebrated by British and Brit-Asian MPs, ministers and over 300 Hindus.

The House of Commons took an Indian hue for the first ever celebration of Janamashtami in the historic building.

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The Members' Dining Room was transformed to a traditional Hindu temple. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and over 300 leaders and representatives from the British Hindu community, and many ministers, MPs, peers and Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London.

The host for the evening Tony McNulty, the minister of Transport, remarked: "This is a historic event in the British Parliament, which should become an annual event."

Prescott congratulated the Hindu community for holding the first celebrations of the birth of Lord Krishna in the House of Commons and said: "I have been to India seven times and have learnt a lot about India and its culture. I am reminded of the historical ties between India and Britain with festivities like these."

Patricia Hewitt MP, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women and Equality, said: "It is nice to return from the summer break to see the House of Commons looking like this (pointing to the Indian décor). The British Parliament is a historic building and the British Hindu community have contributed to its history."

"Normally one goes to a temple to celebrate the festival of Janmashtami but today the temple has come to the House of Commons," said Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Department for International Development.

Livingstone applauded the Indian community of London for their contribution. Stephen Pound MP, Chair, Labour Friends of India, said: "The journey that began 5,000 years ago, with the birth of Lord Krishna, still continues
today. This journey is inspirational and joyful."

Peter Luff MP, the Chair of the Conservative Friends of India, said: "I welcome the celebration of Krishna's birth at the House of Commons, which has been organised by Tony McNulty, Abhay Lakhani, ISKCON and NCHT (UK), for the British Hindu community, which plays an important role in the fabric of the British society."

Lord Navnit Dholakia said: "Although we, the Peers, are called 'Lords' but the real Lord (pointing to the deity of Lord Krishna) is here."

Kamlesh Sharma, the Indian High Commissioner, acknowledged the importance of having a spiritual base in society and said: "The observance of Krishna Janmashtami in the House of Commons is a significant event."

"The festival of Janmashtami is now popularly celebrated outside of India due largely to the extraordinary efforts of the Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, who in the mid 1960's brought the
ancient culture of India to the western world," said Atmanivedana Swami, from ISKCON.