Shilpa addresses Commonwealth Day gathering at Westminster Abbey

London, Mar 12 (UNI) Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty addressed a gathering at the Westminster Abbey here today to mark Commonwealth Day Observance in the presence of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In her testimonial titled Living with One Another' Ms Shetty, dressed in a purple velvet sherwani specially designed for this occasion by Tarun Tahiliani, said, ''As a child growing up in Mumbai, I was aware of India and of its incredible diversity. The differences are multiple in religion, culture, language, caste, wealth and much else.'' She said, ''There are tensions between tradition and modernity, between the very affluent and the many millions less fortunate.'' She spoke of the ''new challenges such as the impact of HIV-AIDS ,and dded ''Indians share a common identity that makes us a nation.'' Ms Shetty said in India and the world over ''we are constantly reminded that we have to cope with differences on a daily basis. It is sometimes hard, but unless we do, we have no future.'' The Queen, who is the head of the Commonwealth, in her message said in today's ''difficult and sometimes divided world, I believe that it is more important than ever to keep trying to respect and understand each other better.'' The other speakers at the event included songwriter Ben Okafor, who related his childhood experiences as a boy soldier in the Biafran army during Nigeria's civil war.

Attended by Britain's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett and other dignitaries, the other speakers included nurse and healer of emotional wounds Anne Gallagher, who talked of how she found hope during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Campaigner for democracy and human rights, the Reverend Akuila Yabaki, spoke about the culture of coups and racial problems in Fiji.

Women's welfare worker Olga Heaven focused on vulnerable women lured into drug smuggling operations.

UNI