London: The centuries-old British Parliament has created history by celebrating for the first time the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, as an acknowledgment of the contribution of Indians to the British society.

Diwali, the festival symbolic of triumph of good over evil, was celebrated in the precincts of the House of Commons on October 31.

Over 130 British MPs, cutting across party lines, attended the celebration held in the dining room of the House of Commons where Lord Rama's bronze statue took centrestage with traditional wick lamps and Rangoli floral designs surrounding it.

In a message, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair described Diwali as a wonderful festival. "It is a time when the family is centrestage. It's also a time for celebration and reflection about what we have achieved in the past, and our ambitions and hopes for the future."

Blair said he strongly believed that Britain's diversity of backgrounds and experiences had brought tremendous strengths and benefits to its society.

"Festivals like Diwali play an important role in helping us to appreciate and celebrate this diversity," he said.

"The reception marks the celebration of a Hindu festival in the precincts of the House for the first time in the history of the British Parliament," Ramesh Kallidai, general secretary of the Hindu Council, UK, said.

"The Hindu Council's mission is to facilitate the social, economic, cultural and political integration of Hindus into British society, whilst maintaining their individual identity," he said, adding the reception was hosted as an attempt to aid this process.

PTI