Author: Victoria Ward, PA News
Publication: scotsman.com
Date: September 4, 2003
URL: http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1887552
Home Secretary David Blunkett was
welcomed with a garland of flowers in a traditional Hindu ceremony today
when he visited one of the UK's oldest temples.
During the visit to the Shree Ram
Mandir in Southall, Middlesex, he also took part in a Tilk ceremony and
was scattered with petals.
Mr Blunkett was given a tour of
the Deities and listened to a traditional instrumental performance on sitar
as well as a recitation of the scriptures.
He said that the temple was a valuable
community resource. "I am very pleased to be here and know what hard work
everyone puts in to help build this strong community," he said.
"I am placing great emphasis on
social cohesion and interfaith work.
"Shree Ram Mandir is making a real
difference to the lives of local people, helping them to reach their full
potential and play an active part in society.
"And this is a vision that the Government
shares - integration with diversity."
The Home Secretary praised local
head teachers, religious leaders and worshippers for working together and
creating the much-used resource centre.
The Shree Ram Mandir is used as
a social, educational and religious base for locals of different faiths.
As well as holding GCSE classes
in Hindu, it holds music and dance lessons, organises health projects,
wedding services, social activities for the elderly and provides a creche
for local children.
Founder member and trustee of the
temple, Rabindra Patahak, said the temple provided people of all ages with
a place to come and take part in cultural activities.
"We are all very excited that Mr
Blunkett is showing an interest in interfaith communities and hope that
it will make more people aware of how different groups of people can co-operate
together.
"It's not just religion, it's a
part of local life and we hope that the services we provide bring us all
together."
Mr Blunkett said that the Hindu
community in Britain had always been committed to integrating within local
society and working for a common cause.
He praised the musicians and said
the drummer was "better than Ringo Starr" before being introduced to local
dignitaries including MP Steve Pound.
As he left, the Home Secretary was
presented with Prasada, the traditional blessed food.
One of the temple's trustees, Kiran
Sharma, said: "We feel very proud that Mr Blunkett is here today.
"We are pleased that he is showing
an interest in the way different religions come together. It's very important
to all of us."
Mahanta Shrestha, from Nepal, added:
"More than 200 people come here through these doors every day.
"We are honoured that people can
see what we are doing. This is the first minister we have ever seen here
and I hope it will be a milestone for us as a community."
