LONDON, Dec 13: India House in London has been adorned with Christmas lights, featuring a diverse selection of Indian delicacies to mark the festive season.
A festive event hosted by the High Commission of India on Thursday evening united a diverse range of diaspora organizations and representatives from Indian churches, including Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, who represented the Catholic Church as Pope Francis’ Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain.
“The Holy Father’s prayer for all of us this Christmas is that we may deepen our fraternity, generosity, and understanding, cultivating stronger bonds of friendship and mutual respect, especially during this time when the world is in urgent need of healing and reconciliation,” the Archbishop stated in his address as chief guest.
Gandhi Hall, beautifully decorated with a stunning Christmas tree, resonated with the sounds of jazz and carols led by opera singer Anando Mukerjee and the Bernardi Music Group. The talented musicians encouraged the audience, including parliamentarians and community leaders, to sing along to beloved Christmas carols like ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Joy to the World’.
“Throughout India, the joy of the festive season is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all communities, which I believe reflects both the magic of the festive season and the enchantment of India,” noted Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.
“We invite you to join us in reminding the world, especially during this challenging global moment, of the hope, joy, love, and generosity that Christmas brings, emphasizing that our shared humanity is what truly matters,” he conveyed.
The event culminated with the ceremonial cutting of a beautifully crafted two-tier Christmas cake by renowned Goan chef Clanny Rodrigues, alongside guests sampling a variety of Indian food products—from Coorg coffee to Indian wines and whisky. This festive celebration, now held for the second consecutive year, showcased a wide array of offerings from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (PTI)
