Prime Minister David Cameron has sent his festive greetings to Britain's Sikh, Tamil and Sinhalese communities, celebrating Vaisakhi or their respective New Years on 14th April.
The Prime Minister who is well known to have hosted a Vaisakhi celebration at his residence in 10 Downing Street for the last 4 years, had the who's who of the country's Sikh community attending.
Praising the Sikhs on this Vaisakhi and wishing them, Mr Cameron said, “I send my best wishes to everyone in India, Britain and around the world celebrating Vaisakhi.
“I know this is an incredibly important time for the Sikh community as families and friends come together to commemorate the birth of the Khalsa and give thanks. From Southall to Sunderland, from Ottawa to Amritsar Sikhs around the world will be marking Vaisakhi with vibrant parades and celebrations with homes, Gurdwaras and entire neighbourhoods bursting into life with decorations and colour.
“Vaisakhi also gives us a chance to celebrate the immense contribution of British Sikhs, who have enriched our country for over 160 years. Whether it is in the fields of enterprise or business education, public service or civil society Britain's Sikhs are a success story and model community.
“And I see this contribution every day, all around. Like at the magnificent Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick, where I saw for myself the values of Sikhism - of compassion, peace and equality - in practice. And across the country I see how Sikh and Asian businessmen and women are boosting the economy by creating jobs and opportunities. But this contribution is not just a recent thing it goes back many, many years and was never more starkly demonstrated than 100 years ago during the First World War.
“Just last month we commemorated the Indian soldiers many of whom were Sikh who fought bravely alongside the Allies in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in Northern France. I pay tribute to those men who travelled far from home and who fought and died with their comrades in the fight for freedom. We will never let their sacrifice be forgotten.
“So at this important time, let us commemorate the birth of a great religion let us give thanks for everything the Sikh community does for Britain and let us celebrate the successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy country that we are...
Sending his warm wishes to Britain's Tamil and Sri Lankan community, he said,“I would like to send my best wishes to everyone in Britain, Sri Lanka and around the world celebrating Aluth Avurudda and to all Tamil communities celebrating Puthandu today. It’s a time when millions of people will be coming together with families, friends and neighbours to celebrate their New Year.
“But it is also a time to remember the fantastic contribution Tamil and Sinhalese communities make to Britain. We see it around us, every single day – in our schools and our hospitals, in the arts and businesses – you play an incredibly important and positive role.
“I’m sure many people celebrating today will be thinking of loved ones overseas, especially in Sri Lanka. When I met with President Sirisena in Downing Street last month I offered my support for the steps his government has begun to take to address the issues of the past. But I was also clear that the Government must go further and that they must continue to offer full support to the ongoing UN investigation.
“I hope that this New Year will bring communities closer together in helping to heal the wounds of the past..."
