British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak graced the uplifting event of celebrated spiritual leader Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha, currently underway at the Cambridge University. He charmed the audience, greeting them with with Jay Siya Ram. Moraribapu is a Gujarat based spiritual leader who does RamKathas across the world.
A renowned exponent of the Ram Charit Manas, Morari Bapu has been reciting Ram Kathas for over 50 years across the world.
It was a momentous occasion as Morari Bapu’s 921st recital, titled ‘Manas Vishwavidyalay,’ made it a rare instance of a Hindu programme held at a British university.
A practitioner of Hinduism and the first Prime Minister of Indian descent in Britain, Rishi Sunak made a floral offering to Morari Bapu’s Vyas Peeth, making a salutation of Jai Siya Ram, according to a report.
Sunak was quoted as saying: “It is truly an honour and pleasure to be here today at Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha at the University of Cambridge on Indian Independence Day. Bapu, I am here today not as a Prime Minister but a Hindu. For me faith is very personal.
“It guides me in every aspect of my life. Being 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 that I can for our country.
“For me, it was a wonderful and special moment to light diyas for Diwali outside 11 Downing Street back when I was Chancellor. And just like Bapu has a Golden Hanuman in his background, I am proud that a Golden Ganesha sits gleefully on my desk at 10 Downing Street,” he said.
The British PM recalled his growing up years in South Hampton where he visited his neighbourhood temple with his siblings and participated in rituals like pujas, aartis and distribution of prasad with his family, the report added.
“Our values and what I see 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. These Hindu values are very much shared British values.
“I leave remembering the Ramayana that Bapu speaks on, but also the Bhagavad Gita and the Hanuman Chalisa. And for me, Lord Ram will always be an inspirational figure to face life’s challenges with courage, to govern with humility and to work selflessly. Bapu, with your blessings, I aspire to lead in accordance with how our scriptures have taught leaders to lead,” he said.
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