On Sunday, 9th November 2025, the Bradford Hindu Council (BHC) was honoured to participate fully in the City of Bradford’s Remembrance Sunday Service. This solemn and deeply moving ceremony, held at the Cenotaph, transcended religious boundaries, uniting the community in memory of all those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and peace.
A Day of Inclusive Remembrance
The day began early with a reception at Bradford Town Hall (City Hall), where our representatives met and greeted fellow civic leaders and community members before joining the remembrance parade. This procession, led by the City of Bradford Brass Band and featuring veterans and cadets, marched to the Cenotaph for the service.
The BHC’s prominent presence underscored our community’s commitment to civic duty and interfaith harmony. Our representatives, including Mr. Deepak Sharma, Mr. Rajesh Bhardwaj, Mrs. Hema Shanmugam, Mrs. Naresh Sharma, Mr. Mahesh Mistry, and Mr. Paresh Mistry, participated shoulder-to-shoulder with the city’s leadership.
Laying Wreaths at the Unique Memorial
A central and poignant part of our involvement was the laying of wreaths. The BHC proudly laid wreaths not only at the Cenotaph but also at the Commonwealth Memorial. This act holds special significance in Bradford, as The Very Revd Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, highlighted that this is the only Commonwealth Memorial of its kind outside of London.
We were privileged to honour the millions of service personnel from across the Commonwealth, particularly those from India and other South Asian countries, who paid the ultimate price. We stood alongside key dignitaries, including the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr. Ed Anderson CBE, and the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mohammed Shafiq, in this essential act of remembrance.
Multi-Faith Prayers for Global Harmony
The BHC played a prominent role in the multi-faith prayers, which were led by the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford. This section truly reflected the diversity and unity of our city.
Our Trustee, Mr. Deepak Sharma, had the distinct honour of offering the Hindu prayer in Hindi (Sanskrit), concluding with the powerful invocation: “Om shanti, shanti, shanti” (Peace, peace, peace). This was followed by the English translation, calling on us to “act without hatred or pride, walking the way of dharma, with compassion and courage.”
This moment of sharing prayers alongside those were offered in Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh native tongues, as well as the Christian Lord’s Prayer, symbolized our collective resolve: that the struggles of the past must inspire a future of peace, justice, and dignity for all.
Conclusion and Future Commitment
The Bradford Hindu Council is deeply committed to the vision of a harmonious, resilient, and peaceful Bradford. We thank the City Council for its excellent organisation and for ensuring that the service was inclusive and respectful of every community that contributed to the cause of peace.
We look forward to continuing our work in interfaith partnership to make this vision a reality.
