:dateline:UK Prime David Cameron has sent his wishes to people of�Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist faiths who are celebrating different festivals this week. �In particular, he has extended his wishes to people around the world celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor divas. �Transcript of Prime Minister’s message, along with the video are available below –
I send my best wishes to everyone in Britain and around the world celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor.
At this important time of year for the Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist faiths we will see friends and families all over the country come together to celebrate these holy festivals.
The glorious �festival of light� will be celebrated with lighting lamps, devotional singing and prayers at brightly decorated temples and homes, while at Gurdwaras and Sikh households families will celebrate the �day of freedom� and pray for freedom and empowerment for all mankind.
While the festivals of Diwali and Bandi Chhor have different origins, their universal message of hope over despair, light over darkness and good over evil is something that we should all celebrate.
Together with other autumn festivals of Eid al-Adha and Chanukah, Diwali and Bandi Chhor demonstrate many of the common values that we all share.
I�d like to take this opportunity to thank Britain�s Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities for all they do for our country. You make an enormous contribution to Britain in so many ways. From hardworking families that are doing the right thing to entrepreneurs and businesses that are helping create prosperity; from excelling in science and public service to achieving in the arts and sport, your role in our nation is a shining example of how communities can integrate and succeed while retaining a strong and proud identity.
To all those celebrating Diwali or Bandi Chhor I send my warmest greetings.
To those saying that the transcript was amended after the video – I can say that this is false.
I’ve been communicating with the Conservative Party and have been campaigning to get Bandi Chhor mentioned. The Prime Minister and his team were very keen and enjoyed learning about Bandi Chhor. See http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1ae0228b5adc851d79e437987&id=beda60b47b for my full report.
The video, for once did not mention Sikhs celebrate Divali, which personally I think is a great thing. This is the first year any British Prime Minister, any British leader of a party, has mentioned Bandi Chhor in a statement and I think we should be grateful.
Just my two pence. Forgive me if I have said anything wrong.
Waheguru!
Seems to me that after the video was made someone figured they had better mention Sikhs and Buddhists so they put out a new, amended transcript and hoped nobody would notice!!!
I Agree with Singh, I am very appalled at this misleading news. David Cameron failed to mention Sikhs, it only brought attention to the Hindu Holiday, Diwali. As a Sikh, I feel very angry at David Cameron, or better yet the news for allowing such a misleading news story to be written. Bandi Chor Devas, Sikhs, or Buddhist, were not mentioned in this video but instead written in the news. I say NO, you have screwed up. You have once again group three different religions, and two different holidays as “you” guys always do. Even though I live in the US, I will not stand for this.
This video doesn’t mention Bandi Chhor at all. It exclusively discusses Diwali, which I find surprising considering the history of Sikhs in England. It should be noted that Bandi Chhor and Diwali are two totally separate festivals.
Bravo for pointing this out, you have read my mind.