Rishi Sunak, Other Indians Attend Coronation Of King Charles
NEW DELHI, (ANI) – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak read from the Bible’s book of Colossians at the coronation of King Charles on May 6, at Westminster Abbey in London.
In keeping with the tradition of UK Prime Ministers performing readings at State occasions, Britain’s first PM of Indian heritage, read from the Epistle to the Colossians from the New Testament reflecting the theme of service to others.
Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty led the procession of flag-bearers as the United Kingdom’s Union Jack flag was carried into the Abbey by a high-ranking Royal Air Force cadet.
King Charles had expressed his desire to be a defender of all faiths while serving as head of the Christian faith in the UK. So for the first time that peers from different faiths – Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish were part of the procession during the coronation ceremony.
From India, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar who represented the nation, met with King Charles III, Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, and other world leaders during a reception at Buckingham Palace. He also joined leaders of the Commonwealth countries at a special event hosted by King Charles III at the Marlborough House, in London.
King Charles had also invited two dabbawalas from Mumbai who brought with them a Puneri turban, and a shawl made by the Warkari community to give to the King on the special occasion. Charles had visited the renowned lunchbox delivery men of Mumbai during his India visit in 2003. The dabbawalas were also invited to Charles’ wedding with Camilla Parker Bowles.
Several Indian community workers, who have been associated with the King’s charity initiatives, were also invited. Sourabh Phadke, a 37-year-old Pune-born architect who graduated from Charles’ Foundation’s Building Craft Program and the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts and Gulfsha, 33, who was awarded the Prince’s Trust Global Award last year.
Jay Patel from Canada was on the guest list for completing the Prince’s Trust Canada’s Youth Employment program last May. He works as a chef at the iconic CN Tower in Toronto.
