Hindujas host millennium Diwali bash

LONDON, NOV 5: Bofors was a million miles away as Brothers Hinduja, who have reinvented themselves as the flag bearers of global tolera...

LONDON, NOV 5: Bofors was a million miles away as Brothers Hinduja, who have reinvented themselves as the flag bearers of global 8220;tolerance8221; and 8220;multiculturalism8221;, gathered in London on Wednesday to host a 8220;millennium8221; Diwali bash at which British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife were the star attractions.

Blair came, all primed up, to greet the mostly Asian guests with 8220;Diwali Mubarak8221; and 8220;Saal Mubarak8221;. His wife, Cherie Booth, arrived in an ivory silk and organza salwar kameez a gift from the Hindujas and a shimmering bindi. Peter Mandelson, Minister for Northern Ireland, who was the Hindujas8217; first friend in the Labour cabinet was also present.

The only representation from India was the Tea Board official in London, and the outgoing head of the Nehru cultural Centre. S P Hinduja, whose conviction about the superiority of 8220;Indian culture8221; is unshakeable, told the audience that India was 8220;half a century ahead of the West8221;, and the Indus Valley Civilisation from where his8220;family originates8221; was 8220;already in its 9th millennium8221;. But it was left to Blair to introduce a note of reality.

Blair opened his speech by expressing, on behalf of his country, sympathy and sending condolences to 8220;the people and families affected by the cyclone in Orissa8221;.

This was the only little blip. Ticker tape showered down on the gathering, electronic cymbals clashed and an anglicised voice chanted 8220;asatoma satgamaya, tamasoma, jyotirgamaya8221;. The 3,000-odd guests stood through the three hours of waiting and speech-making.

At a press conference preceding the event, journalists were told that the purpose of the event was to the launch of the family8217;s 8220;millennium pledge8221; to commit themselves to build 8220;tolerance and multiculturalism8221; in the next century. It was a pledge that Blair and other British political leader had agreed to sign.

The Hindujas praised Blair8217;s initiatives for building tolerance in Britain. While S P Hinduja said the future for Britain was 8220;Asian8221;, G P Hindujaintervened quickly to add that in another 50 years, Britain would be 8220;more multi-cultural..as per our vision8221;. Asked to comment on the VHP8217;s campaign against the Pope8217;s visit tomorrow, S P Hinduja said: 8220;Very good question8230;that is why were are having this event, we will have this event in all the capitals of the world to bring awareness.8221;