National Hindu Students’ Forum (NHSF) (UK) would like to extend its arm of support and gratitude to Sewa Day and fully endorse their move to step away from the Government initiative ‘A Year of Service’ (AYOS), which is in celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, due to concerns about the financial governance, transparency and accountability of the initiative.
Although we are disappointed that Hindu students will be unable to represent their community in such a historical celebration, we recognise the need to take such steps.
Hindus and other Ethnic Minorities in the United Kingdom have fought long and hard for equality, so NHSF (UK) feel strongly about this and are requesting the Government to provide answers to questions posed by Sewa Day.
In addition to the questions posed by Sewa Day, NHSF (UK) has written to Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State Culture & Communities, complaining about these matters and to ask the Government to be more considerate to the needs of the Hindu community. We have also inquired about any funding which has been made available for Hindu initiatives as well as the rationality behind allocating such a large sum of money to one organisation considering the cuts being faced by other organisations, and in particular – charities.
We feel that such steps are necessary to help preserve the integrity of our community, as well as the wider British community. Integrity of equality and accountability are two things the coalition government claim to stand for, yet the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat parties appear to have made an exception this time.
Notes to the editor:
- – NHSF (UK) is the worlds largest network of Hindu students outside India
- – The sum of £65,000 was awarded to AYOS’ lead member and despite repeated requests by Sewa Day for clarity on the application and funding of this grant, no answers or accountability have been provided. What makes this lack of accountability of such a huge amount of money more worrying is the state of our economy.
- – The letter from NHSF (UK) to Eric Pickles MP can be found on the NHSF (UK) website, as well as a supporting article
- – Supporting Sewa Day blog can be found at http://www.sewaday.org/sewa-day-resigns-from-uk-govts-ayos-initiative-its-a-matter-of-principle/
- – Arup Ganguly (Sewa Day Chairman) quotes
- – “Given the one response we’ve had so far does not satisfy us, we have no choice but to disassociate ourselves from this initiative.”
- – “We’ve asked questions and have been told that we will not receive any detailed answers.”
- – “Repeated requests by Sewa Day for clarity on the application of these funds have met nothing but a stone wall. Given our own commitment to transparency, we find this unacceptable.”
- – “However, due to concerns that we have regarding the financial governance of AYOS, we have decided to step away from our involvement in this project.”
- – “Unfortunately, no matter how tough or regrettable the consequences, there are those moments in life when one has to uphold one’s principles.”
- – Questions from Sewa Day:
- – Who is in control of applying the funds?
- – What is the rough breakdown of the intended fund application? Is there a budget projection for AYOS?
- – Can AYOS Group members apply for any of the funds towards their own reasonable AYOS related expenses? (So far, no funding has been offered to group members)
- – What will be done with residual funds once AYOS is complete?