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Primary School students in England celebrates Diwali
Diwali is an Indian celebration and it is good to see that people in other countries are keeping up with the Indian culture. All such initiatives should be applauded and encouraged.

HINDUS HAVE lauded Bridlewood Primary School and East Wichel Community Primary & Nursery in Swindon, South-West England for celebrating Diwali on October 19. They have also urged all elementary and secondary schools of United Kingdom (UK) to include Diwali celebration as an annual activity.


Reports suggest that as part of Diwali celebrations, hundreds of students from these schools took part in traditional Hindu activities. They wore Indian clothing, participated in Indian dances, had mehendi drawn on their bodies, made lanterns, showed how the Hindus prayed and worshipped, learned history and religious significance of Diwali, performed play about Rama and Sita, drew rangoli patterns on playground and ate Indian snacks (samosas, bhajees, pakoras).

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it would be highly productive to include Diwali celebrations in UK schools. Awareness about other religions thus created by organizing festivals like Diwali would make the UK pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. It also made a good business sense to know the beliefs of “others” in a global community. Moreover, students should have knowledge of the entire society to become full participants in the society.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that with school celebrations including festivals like Diwali, ethnic minorities would feel as equal and full members of British society, thus bringing cohesion and unity in the community. With change in demographics of United Kingdom, it would be “a step in the right direction”.
Jo Garton and Jayne Keen are head-teacher and Governors Chair respectively of Bridlewood Primary, whose tagline is "a place for learning, caring, sharing and growing together". Caroline Henham is head-teacher of East Wichel and its tagline is “learning today, for tomorrow's future”.
 
Swindon, about 81 miles from London, has reportedly one of the highest broadband Internet access and had been declared UK’s second safest place to live; and is known for roundabouts, XTC pop rock band and Swindon Mela. Hindus form about less than 1 percent of the population. Prominent people associated with Swindon include actresses Diana Dors and Rachel Shelley, golfer David Howell and cricketer Jon Lewis. Ray Ballman is Mayor of Swindon Borough Council.


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