Matthew was pleased to meet faith leaders, business leaders and many of his constituents at the 2012 Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival which took place in glorious sunshine at Bhaktivedanta Manor.
The largest Hindu gathering outside India, the festival attracts over 65,000 people who come together to experience a colourful taste of India with live stage shows, vibrant costumes, music, meditation and food.
The event featured hundreds of children with their faces painted blue and dressed like Lord Krishna, many carrying flutes and wearing peacock feathers in their hair, as part of the festive spirit.
Young people were also prominent, demonstrating their commitment to the messages of the festival.
Matthew was keen to support the Jamuna campaign, an environmental initiative to stop polluting the River Yamuna in India. Untreated sewage and industrial wastes are being discharged into this river, putting the lives of millions of Krishna devotees who sip and bathe in the water at risk.
In London the National Council of Hindu Temples, the Hindu Council, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK, the Hindu Forum of Britain and ISKCON delivered a letter to the High Commissioner insisting he take up the matter with India's Prime Minister.
Matthew said: ""The event was, once again, a fantastic display of Indian culture and entertainment. But there were some serious issues being discussed as part of the occasion, including that of the Jamuna campaign. I am keen to take the issue up with both DEfRA to determine if they can assist with improving environmental conditions, and DfID to establish if they are undertaking any projects in the locale of the River Yamuna. Several constituents have told me they have made pilgrimage to this sacred river and its pollution is now putting their health at risk. It is an environmental issue that does not respect national or international boundaries and the health of all rivers ultimately impacts upon the health of our seas, that, in turn affect the whole planet.""