PEOPLE from Oxford's many different faiths are to meet to discuss the anniversary of Indian Independence Day.

Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jews and members of the Bahá'í faith will talk about the lessons that can be learned from the fight for India's independence, achieved 60 years ago this week.

Independence from British rule was brought about by people from India's many religions - and representatives of religions in Oxford see it as an example of how different faiths can work together to achieve a goal.

The inter-faith group will meet tomorrow before joining in a traditional celebration of India's fight for its own identity. The meeting is part of a series of events organised by Indian Union Oxford, which has received a Government grant of £5,000 to help bring together different faiths in the county.

Davinder Singh, vice president of the organisation, said: "When India was under British rule it was not just an individual trying to achieve the goal of Indian independence. It was the Christians, Hindus, Sikhs - it was everyone.

"Representatives in the inter-faith committee also have a common goal. When we see a person who looks different sometimes we have a perception of those people.

"The inter-faith group aims to demolish that and look at a human being as a human being."

Members of the inter-faith group have already been on two trips, including a visit to Westminster Abbey and an excursion to Birmingham where they visited a mosque, a Sikh temple - called a gurdwara - and a Buddhist vihara. Chinta Kallie, president of Indian Union Oxford, said: "The idea behind the visits was to raise people's understanding of how different faiths worship.

"These places are not closed to people of different faiths. It is an appreciation of particular beliefs that different faiths have. We look at similarities rather than differences."

Tomorrow's celebrations will be held at Cheney School, in Cheney Lane, Headington, from 5.30pm.

Members of the public from all faiths are invited and up to 350 people are expected to attend. Visitors will be treated to an array of dancers, traditional Indian food including chicken curry, rice and sweets, and a display of traditional costumes.

Mrs Kallie said: "I think generally the faiths in Oxford mix pretty well. As a city it does not have the sort of tensions that we have in other parts of the country. There is a lot of understanding and tolerance."