‘I draw inspiration from my faith’: UK PM Sunak prays at London temple
Sunak and wife Akshata Murty were greeted with loud cheers at London's BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, where they performed puja and interacted with community leaders
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, visited London's iconic BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, also known as Neasden Temple, to pray on the final weekend of the general election campaign.
The couple was greeted with loud cheers as its convoy drove into the grand temple grounds on Saturday evening and went on to perform puja guided by the priests.
After a tour of the grand temple complex and interaction with volunteers and community leaders, cricket fan Sunak began his address to the congregation with a reference to India's winning the T20 World Cup before speaking about the inspiration he draws from his faith.
"Was proud to be sworn in on Bhagavad Gita"
"I am Hindu and like all of you, I draw inspiration and comfort from my faith," he said.
"I was proud to be sworn in as a member of parliament on the 'Bhagavad Gita'. Our faith teaches us to do our duty and not fret about the outcome as long as one does it faithfully.
"That is what I was brought up to believe by my wonderful and loving parents and that is how I live my life; and that is what I want to pass on to my daughters as they grow up. It is dharma which guides me in my approach to public service," Sunak said.
(With agency inputs)