Raj Sadosh/Abohar.
A special assembly to pay tribute to soldiers from India and the Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives for justice, peace and freedom was held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
The ‘Remembrance Sunday’, this year, coincided with the Hindu festival of Diwali.
The assembly was attended by His Majesty the King’s representative in the London Borough of Brent, Deputy Lieutenant Mei Sim Lai OBE, and Lucy D’Orsi CVO QPM, Chief Constable of British Transport Police and Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service.
The evening began with children chanting the Shanti-Paath.(SUBHEAD)
Former Chair of the Western Front Association, Colin Wagstaff, shared a poetic homage to the fallen: “The valour of warriors, their courage and might; In memory’s embrace, forever shines bright…. On this Remembrance Sunday, we declare, to cherish their memory, and show we care.”
Captain Nandesh Patel of the British Army presented a poignant reading from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, which resonated deeply with the gathering.
Daniel Kennelly, a volunteer manager at a local food bank, thanked Neasden Temple for its ongoing donation of fresh fruit and vegetables to help feed needy families in the neighbourhood.
Yogvivek Swami paid tribute to the sacrifice of veterans and said, “Together, may we work towards a brighter future, where the world is free from the shadows of conflict and where our shared values shine brightly for all.”