UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on Tuesday, attended 'Ram Katha' being conducted by spiritual leader Morari Bapu at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. "Bapu, I am here today not as a Prime Minister, but as a Hindu,” said Sunak, while speaking at the event, PTI reported.
"For me, faith is very personal. It guides me in every aspect of my life. Being Prime Minister is a great honour, but it is not an easy job. There are difficult decisions to make, hard choices to confront and our faith gives me courage, strength, and resilience to do the best that I can for our country,” he added. He also said that his Hindu faith gives him the courage to do his best as the Prime Minister of Britain and guides him in every aspect of his life.
Sunak is UK's first Indian-origin prime minister. Born in Southampton, Sunak is a practising Hindu with Punjabi roots. His appointment has been cheered by Indians all over. Sunak went on to talk about the special moment when, in 2020, he first lit Diwali diyas outside No. 11 Downing Street as the first British Indian Chancellor.
He also revealed that there's a Ganesha on his desk at 10 Downing Street. "It is a constant reminder to me about listening and reflecting on issues before acting,” he said. He added that he had fond memories of his neighbourhood temple in Southampton and that his family would often organise havans, pujas and aartis.
“Our values and what I see Bapu does each day of his life are the values of selfless service, devotion and keeping faith. But perhaps the greatest value is duty or sewa, as we know it. These Hindu values are very much shared British values,” Sunak said. He also made note of how many among the hundreds gathered at the event had parents and grandparents who came to the UK with very little from India and East Africa.
After concluding his address with the words Jai Siya Ram, Sunak went on to participate in an aarti on stage.