On Monday 29 April 2024, The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office hosted the first ever celebration of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak at 10 Downing Street, the UK Prime Minister’s official residence. This year’s event was particularly significant, marking the 2,550th anniversary of Mahavir attaining Nirvana.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said, “I am delighted to host this reception. It is the first-ever celebration of Mahavir’s Birth Anniversary here at 10 Downing Street. My constituency Hertsmere is wonderfully diverse. We have the Oshwal Centre in the Potters Bar and the SRMD Centre in Bushey.
“Today, it is a moment to select Peace, Equality and the ideologies of Reserving Nature on the birth anniversary of Mahavir. The principles of Mahavir inspire us to serve others and to respect every living being. The Jain community has made tremendous contributions in all fields.”
The event was attended by some 150 community leaders and representatives, prominent Jain businesspeople, professionals and the Directors of Institute of Jainology (IoJ)
The Navkar Mantra, Jain prayers and stavans including Jainam Jayati Shasanam, Trishala Nandan Veer ki, Jay Bolo Mahavir ki were recited. Lord Popat – Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC and Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s political adviser at No 10, in their speeches acknowledged the contributions made by the Jain community in the UK.
This was a truly historic day for all UK Jains.
Press Coverage of Above Event. Please Click on Following:
Asian Voice
Gujarat Samachar
Garavi Gujarat
PHOTO GALLERY
Posted By Kishor B Shah on 30 April 2024
