Former Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma was among the leading figures who gathered in the House of Commons last month (23 October 2025) to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali at Jubilee Hall in Westminster.
The celebration was organised by Shri Ram Janaki Seva CIC and brought together MPs, community leaders and diplomats for an evening that highlighted cultural heritage and multicultural Britain.
The event was opened by Seema Malhotra, Labour MP for Heston and Feltham and the UK minister for Asia-Pacific and equality, who lit the ceremonial diya. She said the festival’s themes “unite communities and remind us of the values we all share”.
Lord Karan Bilimoria told guests that the celebration served as an important link for younger British Indians seeking connection with their cultural roots. MPs Ruth Cadbury, Danny Beales, Louie French and Bob Blackman, the Harrow East MP and Padma Shri awardee, also attended.
Senior representatives from the Indian High Commission and community organisations, including Dr Anuradha Pandey, Hindi and cultural attache, and Pramod Kad, chairman of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Hounslow, were among those present.
Children performed traditional dances as part of the evening’s cultural programme, while further messages of support came from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Dr Pam Gosal MSP and several MPs who were unable to attend.
Sh Raj Tiwari, director of Shri Ram Janaki Seva CIC, told EALING.NEWS: “It’s an honour to celebrate Deepawali at the House of Commons in Westminster along with members of parliament and other dignitaries. Deepawali brings together people from various backgrounds through shared cultural celebrations, a universal theme of light over darkness and gives an opportunity to connect society in a multicultural Britain.”
