Sunday, 11th Oct 2026, London: Former Ealing Southall MP highlights the importance of cultural heritage, youth engagement, women empowerment and harmony among communities at a Tamil Hindu Temple event.
Former Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall, Virendra Sharma, has celebrated the spiritual significance of Navaratri and the contribution of the Tamil community to British society in a speech delivered at the Ealing Amman Temple.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma reflected on the festival’s message of the triumph of good over evil and the importance of knowledge, courage, righteousness and the strength of women. He emphasised that the values associated with Navaratri extend beyond religious boundaries and offer universal principles for building a more compassionate, fair and inclusive society.
“Our heritage is our inheritance, and our culture is our identity,” Sharma said, underlining the importance of preserving cultural traditions while embracing the contributions of people from different backgrounds. Drawing on his decades of public service, the former MP spoke about the role of heritage in connecting generations, strengthening cultural identity and giving young people a sense of confidence and belonging. He noted that religious traditions, when practised with compassion and humility, can help bring communities together through shared values of respect, discipline and service to humanity. Mr. Sharma’s full speech goes like this “Navaratri is a festival of profound spiritual significance. It celebrates the divine feminine, the strength of women, the triumph of good over evil, and the victory of knowledge, courage and righteousness over ignorance and injustice. These are values that are not confined to any one religion or community. They are universal principles that can guide us all in building a better society.
Our heritage is our inheritance, and our culture is our identity. Throughout my life in public service, I have believed that we should be proud of our heritage while remaining open to the contributions of others. Our cultural traditions connect us with our past, give confidence to the present generation, and provide a foundation for the generations yet to come. Religion, at its best, teaches us compassion, humility, discipline, respect and service to humanity. Whatever our faith or background, these shared values can bring people together. Our places of worship are not simply places for prayer; they can also be centres of education, charity, community support and understanding between people of different backgrounds. The Tamil community has made an outstanding contribution to British life. Through its dedication to education, family, enterprise, culture and public service, it has enriched our towns and cities and strengthened the diverse society we are fortunate to share.
My association with the Tamil community has extended beyond Ealing and Southall. Over many years, I have had the privilege of engaging with Tamil people at local, national and international levels. I have witnessed their commitment to preserving their language, traditions and religious heritage, while also contributing positively to the wider society in which they live. I have always valued these relationships. They remind us that community ties can cross geographical boundaries, that cultural identity can coexist with a strong sense of belonging to Britain, and that our differences need never prevent us from working together for common purposes. As a former Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall, I represented people of many faiths, cultures and nationalities. My guiding principles have always been equality, fairness, secularism and respect for every individual. I believe that no one should have to abandon their heritage to belong, and no one should be judged by their religion, language or place of birth.
We can be proud of our own traditions while respecting the traditions of others. That is the true strength of a confident and inclusive society. I am particularly pleased that today’s event is being supported by the Youth Forum. Our young people are the custodians of tomorrow’s heritage. It is our responsibility to ensure that they understand their history, appreciate their language, learn the meaning of their traditions and recognise the values behind their festivals. But we must also give young people the confidence to build bridges, to learn from other cultures, to participate in public life and to become leaders in their own right. Heritage should not be a barrier between generations; it should be a bridge connecting the wisdom of the past with the opportunities of the future.
Music and the arts play a special role in achieving this. They communicate emotions and ideas beyond the limitations of language. Through devotional music, classical traditions and cultural performances, we pass on stories, values and a sense of belonging that words alone cannot always express. Today’s concert is therefore much more than an entertainment programme. It is an investment in cultural continuity, community confidence and intergenerational understanding. As we celebrate Navaratri, let us remember that the real spirit of any festival lies not only in the ceremonies we observe, but also in the way we treat one another throughout the year. Let us extend a hand to those who are lonely, support families facing difficulties, encourage our children, respect our elders and build friendships across communities. Let us also celebrate the women and girls whose strength, leadership and achievements are essential to the progress of our families, our communities and our country. My sincere congratulations go to the organisers, volunteers, performers, parents and young people who have worked so hard to make this event possible. Community life depends upon people who give their time and energy without seeking recognition. Their contribution deserves our gratitude and respect.
I hope the Ealing Amman Temple continues to flourish as a place where faith is practised with devotion, culture is preserved with pride, young people are encouraged to excel, and friendship and understanding extend to the whole community. May this Navaratri bring peace to our homes, harmony to our communities and hope to our world. Let us preserve our heritage, celebrate our diversity and unite through our shared humanity. Thank you for your kind invitation. I wish everyone a joyful and blessed Navaratri.”
He expressed the hope that the Ealing Amman Temple would continue to flourish as a place of religious devotion, cultural preservation, youth development and friendship, extending its positive influence across the wider community. The address concluded with a message of unity and goodwill, reflecting the importance of cultural pride, mutual respect and shared responsibility in building a stronger and more inclusive Britain.