Around 120 people enjoyed a sumptuous vegetarian lunch at the Archbishop Lanfranc High School on 12th December 2010. The lunch has been organised every year since 1980. The founder of the YIV Nitin Mehta MBE said the lunch is organised to promote better understanding between the communities living in Croydon and to celebrate Christmas which is not only a religious festival but a national festival. The Indian community is proud to be British and endeavours to play a positive role in promoting all that is best in the British way of life. Amongst the guests attending the lunch were C.B Patel (editor of Asian Voice ), the deputy Mayor councillor Susan W.inborne, Malcolm Wicks MP, Jed Adams of the Croydon Night Watch, (who provide food for the homeless every night in Croydon), Lorraine Chatfield of the Croydon Ecology Centre and many members of the Purley United Reform Church.

The menu was traditional Indian Vegan food prepared by the lady members of the society. The event also introduces our English friends to the many varieties of delicious Indian vegetarian food. Former Mayor Brenda Kirby who is not keeping well was also at the lunch and was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

CB Patel in his address to the guests said that he was pleasantly surprised to see so many English friends and he hoped Indian organisations up and down the country would organise similar events. By sharing food together so many barriers can be broken and a positive message can be sent that the Indian community is proud to be British.

The deputy Mayor said that she too was a vegetarian and so glad that she would enjoy the food without worrying about the ingredients!