United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended the Ramayana recitation by spiritual leader Morari Bapu at Cambridge University on August 16 and said that he was present there as a Hindu and not as a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Starting his address with a chant of “Jai Siya Ram”, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that it was an honour for him to be present at Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha on Indian Independence Day at the University of Cambridge. Further, he said that he was there as a Hindu.
“I’m here today not as a Prime Minister but as a Hindu. For me, faith is very personal. It guides me in every aspect of my life,” he said.
Rishi Sunak said that being a Prime Minister is a great honour but it is not an easy job.
“There are difficult decisions to make. Hard choices to confront. And our faith gives me courage, strength and resilience to do the best I can for our country,” Rishi Sunak said.
“For me, Lord Rama will always be an inspirational figure, to face life’s challenges with courage, to govern with humility and to work selflessly,” he added.
Rishi Sunak said that he aspires to lead how the Hindu scriptures have taught leaders to lead. “Bapu with your blessings, I aspire to lead in equivalence with how our scriptures have taught leaders to lead,” Sunak said.
Recalling his days from the past when he was a chancellor, Sunak said, “For me, it was a wonderful and special moment to light diyas for Diwali outside 11 Downing Street back when I was chancellor.”
He pointed out the Golden figure of Lord Hanuman which is seen behind Morari Bapu in all his events and said that just like that, a golden figure of Lord Ganesh sits on his desk in his office at 10 Downing Street.
“And just like Bapu has a golden Hanuman in his background, I am proud that a golden Ganesh sits gleefully on my desk at 10 Downing Street,” Rishi Sunak said.
“It (Lord Ganesh’s golden statue) is a constant reminder to me of the importance of listening and reflecting on issues before acting. I am proud to be British. Proud to be Hindu,” Rishi Sunak said.
Recalling the times from his childhood, Rishi Sunak said, “Growing up I have very fond memories of attending our own local mandir in Southampton. My parents and family organised havans, poojas, aartis. Afterwards, I would help serve lunch and Prasad with my brother and sister and cousins.”
“Our values and what Bapu does each day of his life, are the values of selfless service, Devotion and keeping faith. But perhaps the greatest value is duty or ‘seva’ as we know it,” he added.
Rishi Sunak further said that he follows not Just Ramayana, but also Bhagwat Geeta and Hanuman Chalisa. “I leave here today remembering the Ramayan which Bapu speaks on, but also the Bhagwat Geeta and the Hanuman Chalisa,” he said.
He also thanked Morari Bapu. Rishi Sunak said, “Your teachings have truth, love and compassion, and are more relevant now than they have ever been.” He also said that these Hindu values are very much shared British values. He also thanked his parents and grandparents’ generations saying that his generation would not have been where it is, without their efforts.
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