The message of Diwali - a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness - seems to take on new layers of meaning every
year.
At the height of the Covid pandemic, it brought to mind the importance of togetherness, as we all struggled through lockdowns and missed the human contact that is
so important to us all.
In 2022, sadly, it feels like there's a lot of darkness in the world. Diwali is so full of hope for the future and we certainly need some of that that right now. In
troubled times, both in the UK and across the globe, Diwali provides an opportunity to reflect and hope for better times ahead.
In their own way, pharmacies bring light to the communities they serve - giving help and reassurance to many vulnerable people. As chair of the NPA it is truly a
privilege to support pharmacy teams to deliver this vital work all year round. Diwali is a family feast - at the NPA we like to think of ourselves as the family
of family-owned pharmacies.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford joined Diwali celebration at the official Indian government in Cardiff on 26 October.
The 68-year-old Labour politician joined in with the traditional Indian dancing at Glamorgan Cricket club in Pontcanna, Cardiff, for the Hindu celebration of Diwali.
He was joined by Health Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan and Indian Honorary Consul Raj Aggarwal, who organised the event which was attended by hundreds of guests and
included some exuberant celebrations.
Speaking at the event Raj Aggarwal spoke about the excitement in the British Asian community to have the UK's first ever Asian Prime Minister.
Former chancellor Rishi Sunak on Monday (October 24) won the battle for leader of Britain's Conservative party and will become the country's first prime
minister of colour.
Penny Mordaunt, the last rival left after Boris Johnson dramatically pulled out, failed to secure the necessary 100 nominations from her fellow MPs.
"Rishi Sunak is therefore elected as leader of the Conservative party," senior backbencher Graham Brady said, as Mordaunt pledged her "full support" for Sunak.
Sunak's triumph came after Johnson's decision late Sunday to abandon his political comeback bid.
Just weeks after he lost out to Liz Truss to lead the ruling Tories, Sunak therefore pulled off a stunning reversal in fortunes.
The contest, triggered by outgoing leader Truss's resignation on Thursday, had required candidates to secure the support of at least 100 Conservative MPs by 2:00 pm
(1300 GMT) on Monday.
