Gordon Brown praises India's culture

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was the star attraction at Diwali celebrations at the House of Commons where a spokesman of Hindu Forum of Britain described him as "Govardhan" Brown and a honorary member of "our community."

Addressing the packed gathering, including NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, Keith Vaz, MP, former minister and several members of his cabinet on wednesday evening, Brown praised India and its culture.

The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of the Hindu Forum of Britain in helping the Indian community integrate with the British society and hoped that it would continue its role in a much bigger way.

Brown said he would be going to India in January and would like to take with him the message of "success of British Hindu community to India" and share it with "Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh, who is a good friend."

He also praised Keith Vaz for taking the lead in organizing the Diwali festival in the House of commons.

Welcoming the Prime Minister, Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain, recalled his presence at the Diwali celebrations last year where Keith Vaz had predicted that "the future is Brown" and "you will come back as the PM."

"And today, nothing can make the Hindu community happier than to fulfill Keith's words. We are delighted to welcome you to this Diwali event as our Prime Minister."

He said the forum has been hosting the cross-party event in the House of Commons for six years. "Our organisation's motto is simple: Proud to be British, proud to be Hindu."

Addresing the Bristish Prime Minister, Kallidai said "your name 'Gordon' is very auspicious. Another meaning for the name Gordon is 'hill with meadows'. But in Sanskrit, it is name for Lord Krishna, and it also refers to a sacred hill - Govardhan.

"We would therefore like to welcome you as an honorary member of our community, not as Gordon Brown, but as Govardhan Brown," he said.

According to Kallidai, over 80 Parliamentarians, several Cabinet Secretaries and 200 multi-faith leaders attended the Diwali celebrations.

Participants were welcomed with the traditional 'tilak' being applied to forehead and sweats.

The Members Dining Hall was transformed into a mini-India with lamps, colourful rangoli patterns, sacred food displays, exhibits, Indian sweets, gifts and incense.