The Hindu Council of Birmingham’s annual Diwali celebration last Sunday attracted scores of people of all ages, race and faith backgrounds. But, sadly, this may have been the last such celebration according to Jo Thanki, HCB’s President who announced that Birmingham City Council would no longer be able to provide a grant.
Mrs Thanki urged the community to offer any support for next year. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Shafique Shah, said in his speech that this decision was unfortunate and that he would do “anything I can to influence this decision”. Held at the New Bingley Hall, Hockley, the 2pm-7pm event featured stalls, exhibitions, a kids zone, stage performances, entertainers and much more.
VIPs included former Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Mike Whitby, Conservative Party candidate Akaal Singh Sidhu, Sunil Kumar, representing Mr BC Pradhan, Acting Indian Consul General in Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal and faith and community leaders. Sari-clad Mrs Thanki invited on stage and praised the work of her volunteer team including Ramanbhai Bulsara, Hameerbhai Chouhan, Taranbhai Shelat, Prafulbhai Nathwani - just a handful of a larger team.
The auspicious diva, or lamp in front of an idol of Lord Ganesh was lit by the Lord Mayor, who did so, disappointingly, with his shoes on, a mark of disrespect. Perhaps a lesson to be learnt, particularly for the Hindu and Sikh community leaders who sat in the front row and looked on. Whilst one must not dwell on this unintentional oversight, it is an observation worth learning from.
Over and above, another fantastic celebration of the Festival of Lights and much credit to the volunteers of HCB without whom this event would not have been the success that it was, yet again.
