Inside the Vaisakhi celebrations at 10 Downing Street

A Blog by Raj Sagoo: Inside the Vaisakhi Celebrations at 10 Downing Street

I had the unbelievable honour of attending a reception to celebrate Vaisakhi at 10 Downing Street on Monday 13 April 2026.

Vaisakhi (or Baisakhi) is one of the most significant dates in Sikhism. It marks the 1699 creation of the Khalsa (the community of initiated Sikhs) by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It commemorates the birth of the collective Sikh faith and emphasises equality, service, courage, and the rejection of discrimination.

The invitation

A month before the event, I received a phone call from our internal communications team inviting me to attend. I had to respond by the end of the same day. To say I was shocked would be an understatement, especially as I was the only person selected from the North-East and Yorkshire region.

I had been chosen because the NHS England communications team had seen a blog I wrote in October 2022. It was featured on our Trust website and Facebook page as part of the “Celebrating BME AHPs” campaign during AHP Week.

This followed work that I had contributed to through the REN Network, focusing on a report exploring representation of Asian, Black, Chinese, and minority ethnicities within the AHP workforce at LCH.

A week before the event, I received a formal invitation from Downing Street outlining all the necessary protocols, including identification requirements.

Preparing for the day

In the lead-up to the event, my focus turned to what I would wear along with all the usual considerations.

I opted for a navy-blue dress with a matching blazer. Navy blue, orange, and yellow are colours associated with Vaisakhi. To incorporate my heritage, I added Indian jewellery, bangles, a bindi. When I arrived at Downing Street, I draped an Indian scarf (chunni), creating an Indian-Western fusion look.

Arrival at Downing Street

I travelled by train and taxi, arriving about 10 minutes before the event. Outside Downing Street, there was a queue of guests waiting to enter.

Security was thorough and highly organised. My invitation and photo ID were checked multiple times, followed by airport-style security screening. After passing through, I walked down the iconic street towards the famous black door of Number 10.

I was eager to take photos, but we were asked to wait until after the event. Inside, I paused for a moment it truly felt surreal to be there.

Phones and bags were collected at reception, as official photographers were covering the event. It felt a bit like being back at school handing in your phone before an exam!

Inside the venue

We walked up a beautifully decorated staircase lit with candles in blue, orange, and yellow the colours of Vaisakhi. The walls were lined with portraits of past and present Prime Ministers, adding to the sense of history.

At the top of the staircase, we entered the reception rooms where the event took place.

The event

The evening began with 15 to 20 minutes of networking, with canapés and soft drinks inspired by Indian cuisine.

The formal programme then began with an introduction by Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton and a Cabinet Minister. She welcomed guests and opened the event before introducing the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister spoke for around 10 minutes, expressing gratitude to the Sikh community for their contributions to British society.

This was followed by a beautiful Kirtan (religious hymns) performed by young children, which was a particularly moving moment.

The remainder of the evening was spent networking, mingling, and enjoying the celebrations.

Reflections

As the evening went on, I learned that this Vaisakhi celebration is an annual event hosted by the Prime Minister, bringing together members of the Sikh community to celebrate this important occasion.

I was struck by the diversity of guests from different industries, backgrounds, and experiences. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many accomplished individuals in one space.

Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and despite the high level of security, the event was seamless and well organised.

Final thoughts

Even now, I am still pinching myself that I was actually there. It was an incredibly special experience, and I feel deeply honoured to have been invited.

To represent our organisation, LCH, and the Race Equality Network (REN) as Vice Chair at such a meaningful event especially one so significant to me as a Sikh is something I will never forget.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity.

Raj Sagoo, Operational Team Manager