London: Diwali, the festival of lights, has now found a new address at London, with the city coming out in full force to celebrate the occasion complete with diyas and a sumptuous Diwali feast at the spruced-up Trafalgar Square.

"Cultural celebration is a vital part of community life. With about 1 in 8 people in London from an Asian background, festivals such as Diwali make an important contribution to the wealth and diversity of cultural expression that is undoubtedly one of the capital's great strengths," London Mayor Ken Livingstone said at a charity dinner.

Following on from the success of this summer's London Mela, together with the many local Asian festivals and melas, Diwali is a significant event in London's cultural calendar.

"With its universal theme of the power of good to triumph over evil, and its message of hope and optimism, it is a festival to inspire all communities," the Mayor said.

The celebrations took off at a charity dinner amidst an array of lights at the Savoy Hotel, which was hosted jointly by the Mayor of London, The Loomba Trust and London First, which raised 114,000 Pounds for the benefit of children of widows in India.

Indian High Commissioner Ronen Sen, NRI (Non-Resident Indians) industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, Dr L M Singhvi, MP Lord Dholakia, actor Saeed Jaffrey, British TV personality Meera Syal, Lord Addington, Lord Brennan, Lord Carter, Lord Jenner, Lord Roper, Baroness Sally Hamwee, Baroness Angela Harris, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Baroness Jay of Paddington, Tony Baldry MP and Dr Jenny Tonge MP were among those present at the dinner.

PTI