Shri Om Birla, the Honourable Lok Sabha Speaker of India was on an official 5-day visit to the UK, covering England, Scotland and Guernsey.
The visit was the first in 17 years by a Speaker of the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, marking it as historical. During his visit, he reportedly met his counterpart in the House of Commons – Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, former Prime Minister of UK, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP and Rt Hon John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, and addressed the diaspora at a gathering in the High Commission of India. He also visited the Neasden Temple and reportedly chaired the meeting of the Standing Committee of Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey. He will be hosting the 28th edition of CSPOC in India in 2026.
Diaspora meet at India House
The Indian community was invited to join a reception for Mr Birla at India House on 8 January. The diaspora was thrilled to meet and take photos with the Speaker, after he addressed the gathering in Hindi. Speaking to the diaspora, he highlighted the success story that India is under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also spoke about the historical ties between the two countries, 75 years of the Indian Constitution, success of the country’s free-flowing democracy and diversity, an efficient electoral process, progress in various fields such as technology, AI, manpower (especially youth in India) gender equity, as well as India’s long-term vision. He paid homage to the diaspora and their hard work and excellence in carrying India’s name and culture across the world with pride.
Visit to the Neasden Temple
On Saturday 11 January, Mr Birla visited the world-renowned BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London, popularly known as the ‘Neasden Temple’.
He was warmly welcomed on behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), by swamis of the Mandir in a traditional Hindu manner.
During his visit, Mr Birla experienced the spiritual sanctity of the Mandir with ‘darshan' of the murtis and ‘abhishek'. He was also briefed on the significant work of BAPS in India and the inspiring developments in the UK and across Europe, particularly the upcoming BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris, France.
In February 2022, a senior delegation of Indian parliamentarians, led by Mr Birla, visited the site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Later that year, Mr Birla met His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi.
Addressing the evening assembly at Neasden Temple, Mr Birla remarked, “Coming to this Swaminarayan Mandir [Neasden Temple] inspires one towards spirituality and religion. This Temple not only helps to build spirituality and religion but also humankind. BAPS works for the progress and spiritual upliftment for communities around the world.”
Paying tribute to the creator of Neasden Temple, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Mr Birla added, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj elevated Indian tradition and culture across the world. He worked for the betterment of humankind across the borders. I pay my respects to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life message, ‘In the joy of others, lies our own.’”
Sanjay Kara, a trustee for BAPS in the UK, said, “We are deeply grateful to Mr Birla for taking the time to visit the Mandir as part of his schedule whilst in the United Kingdom. It was a delight to exchange meaningful ideas and insights and further strengthen the ties between India and the United Kingdom.”
