While wholeheartedly lauding the multi-dimensional contributions of the Indian community to British society, United Kingdom Home Secretary Charles Clarke has warned certain extremist groups trying to derail the democratic values in the country, saying they would not succeed.
"Values of democracy are absolutely powerful. Those people who try to bypass them will not succeed," said Clarke, who was the chief guest at the Diwali banquet of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, held in London on Tuesday night.
"I appreciate the culture, civilization and the democratic qualities that exist among the Indian community," he said, adding that the community, through hard work and dedication, has made remarkable progress in the country.
The banquet was attended, among others, by Lord Swraj Paul, NRI industrialist and British Ambassador for Overseas Business, S P Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja Group, Lord Navnit Dholakia, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Sir Gulam Noon, chief of Noon Products, Joginder Sanger, leading NRI hotelier and vice- chairman of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Ranjan Mathai, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK.
Kamalesh Sharma, High Commissioner of India to the UK said he was 'very proud' of the Indian community, especially how it encouraged its children in education. "Within the family there is as much encouragement for daughters as to sons and together they all move forward," he said.
"The people of Indian origin find Britain a great country, which encourages merit and recognises skills," Sharma said. He added that Indo-British relations are laudable and the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has been a bridge between the peoples of India and the UK for many decades.
Lord Paul was all praise for Dr M N Nandakumara, executive director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for keeping the flag of the cultural centre flying.
Maneck Dalal, OBE, chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, said during the last two years, the Bhavan had been able to spend about £2.5 million for renovating and providing new facilities at its premises. He thanked the Millennium Commission and the Arts Council of Britain for liberal contributions.
