Blair came, all primed up, to greet the mostly Asian guests with ``Diwali Mubarak'' and ``Saal Mubarak''. His wife, Cherie Booth, arrived in an ivory silk and organza salwar kameez (a gift from the Hindujas) and a shimmering bindi. Peter Mandelson, Minister for Northern Ireland, who was the Hindujas' first friend in the Labour cabinet was also present.

The only representation from India was the Tea Board official in London, and the outgoing head of the Nehru (cultural) Centre. S P Hinduja, whose conviction about the superiority of ``Indian culture'' is unshakeable, told the audience that India was ``half a century ahead of the West'', and the Indus Valley Civilisation from where his``family originates'' was ``already in its 9th millennium''. But it was left to Blair to introduce a note of reality.

Blair opened his speech by expressing, on behalf of his country, sympathy and sending condolences to ``the people and families affected by the cyclone in Orissa''.

This was the only little blip. Ticker tape showered down on the gathering, electronic cymbals clashed and an anglicised voice chanted ``asatoma satgamaya, tamasoma, jyotirgamaya''. The 3,000-odd guests stood through the three hours of waiting and speech-making.

At a press conference preceding the event, journalists were told that the purpose of the event was to the launch of the family's ``millennium pledge'' to commit themselves to build ``tolerance and multiculturalism'' in the next century. It was a pledge that Blair and other British political leader had agreed to sign.

The Hindujas praised Blair's initiatives for building tolerance in Britain. While S P Hinduja said the future for Britain was ``Asian'', G P Hindujaintervened quickly to add that in another 50 years, Britain would be ``more multi-cultural..as per our vision''. Asked to comment on the VHP's campaign against the Pope's visit tomorrow, S P Hinduja said: ``Very good question...that is why were are having this event, we will have this event in all the capitals of the world to bring awareness.''