Author: PTI
Publication: The Hindu
Date: November 4, 2008
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110457032000.htm
Overwhelmed by the presence of over 25,000
people at the recent Diwali fest at the city's Trafalgar Square, new Mayor
of London Boris Johnson has assured henceforth Diwali would be a permanent
annual feature at the famous landmark.
The Conservative Party Mayor, who was the
chief guest at the Diwali celebrations at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan here,
said "I was overwhelmed to see over 25,000 people celebrating Diwali
at the Trafalgar Square and it will be a permanent annual feature."
Mr. Johnson, who has a Sikh mother-in-law,
said he wanted to build close relations with Indians. Citing his close proximity
with the country, the Mayor said, "The suit I am wearing is made in India
and I want close India-U.K. relations."
The Mayor asked the small businesses, who
constitute 14 per cent of the London's total business, contributing annually
60 million pounds to the city's economy, to apply for the Olympic contracts.
"It is our business to help small businesses," he said.
As an incentive, he said all bills connected
with the 9.3 billion pounds Olympic 2012 works, are cleared within ten days,
instead of normal 30 days.
The Mayor said he would do everything to encourage
Indian art and culture in the city.
The Deputy High Commissioner to the U.K.,
Asoke Mukerji, lauded the work of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in promoting Indian
art and culture in the U.K.
Largest cultural entity
Maneck Dalal, OBE, chairman of the Bhavan,
said the U.K. centre of Bhavan was the largest Indian cultural entity outside
India.