UK PM Johnson, Prince Charles mark Diwali with victory of light over darkness messages

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince Charles used the analogy of victory of sunshine over darkness as reflective of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic disaster as a part of their annual messages to mark the competition of Diwali on Saturday.

Johnson issued his 10 Downing Street assertion to mark the “spectacular, joyful festival of Diwali”, which bursts by means of the autumnal darkness with an underlying theme of hope and conquer Covid-19.

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“This year, perhaps more than any other, Diwali holds a potent meaning for all of us; because just as surely as Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana and brought his wife Sita home, and just as Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, so too – I have every confidence – that we shall triumph over Covid-19,” Johnson stated.

He reiterated the “mantra” for a yr when Diwali is being marked in a locked down setting throughout the UK for individuals to clean palms, put on a face protecting, and maintain their distance from anybody not a part of the family.

“Let’s all take comfort from the meaning at the heart of this fantastic festival. And let the many millions of Diwali lights all over the world shine through the darkness as beacons of hope for a better future,” he stated, including his needs for British Sikhs for Bandi Chhor Divas.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles launched a Diwali message video by means of his South Asian diaspora-led charity British Asian Trust and identified how the competition this yr coincides along with his personal 72nd birthday. “The Festival of Lights is, I know, a special time for families and friends to come together to share gifts and sweets and to enjoy each other’s companies. Very sadly this year, the ongoing public health crisis means that this will simply not be possible for so many of you and I can so well imagine how difficult and disappointing this must be,” stated the inheritor to the British throne.

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“Amid these strange and difficult circumstances, however, I hope that you might still draw strength from the message of Diwali – that ultimately good will triumph over evil, hope over despair and light over darkness,” he stated.

The royal additionally praised the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities for coming collectively to do actually “vital work” in the course of the pandemic as symbolic of the underlying Diwali message of “timeless values of duty and service”, which resonates with individuals of all faiths and none.

“Together you are an indispensable part of what makes this country so special. Happy Diwali and a happy, peaceful and prosperous year ahead,” he stated, as he concluded his message by lighting a candle and the phrases “Shubh Diwali”. The Leader of the Opposition Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer, additionally struck the same notice along with his Diwali and Bandi Chhor message for British Hindus and Sikhs. “As the Hindu community celebrates this time of victory of good over evil, lightness over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, we are reminded of the hope that Diwali brings,” he stated in an announcement.

“This is particularly significant this year as the world battles the health, economic and social crisis caused by Covid-19…as you light your lamps and pray for happiness and prosperity for all, remember that light will always dispel the darkness of despair and that these difficult times will also come to pass and be replaced by times of great joy and celebration.”