Monday 03 Nov 2014 @ 09:05
Ministry of Defence
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Armed Forces Hindu network launched at Diwali celebration

A celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, provided the ideal opportunity to launch the Armed Forces Hindu Network.

The festival is the highlight of the Hindu religious calendar, and marks the New Year. Serving personnel, Lord Astor and other invited guests gathered in MOD’s Whitehall headquarters for the Armed Forces Diwali Celebration recently.

According to Hindu tradition, Lord Rama, the rightful heir to the throne of Ayodhya, returned from his 14-year exile on a moonless night. To welcome him back, the people lit rows of candles and set off fireworks in celebration and to light his way, lending the festival its name.

The story of Lord Rama’s triumph emphasises the messages of courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty – themes reflected by UK Armed Forces core values.

This made Diwali an especially appropriate time to launch the Hindu network, established to represent and support the entire Armed Forces Hindu community, including 900 regular Service personnel, reservists, veterans and families, and some 4,000 Gurkhas.

Full article, photos and related links

 

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

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