A time filled with light, love and celebration but it is also a time to reflect on the year gone by and the year to come.
Currently at 50 chapters with over 4000 members our Parivaar is expanding. Events from Huddersfield’s Mahashivratri to Birmingham’s Diwali Week make National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK) an exciting organisation to be part of.
From our efforts to create a safe, family-like environment at university for thousands of students living so far from home, to building the infrastructure needed to tackle issues such as sexual grooming, we strive to ensure all Hindu students have a place to turn to in their time of need.
As we light the Diya, it is a chance to remember even in the midst of darkness that light will ultimately prevail, knowledge will defeat ignorance and compassion will triumph despair. It is also a reminder that we must each do our part to achieve that victory by dedicating our self to the service of others. If we affirm our commitments to one another and strive to uplift the people around us then together we will continue moving closer to the brighter future we seek.
The significance of Diwali is summed up in the Sanskrit verse
asato mā sadgamaya
tamasomā jyotir gamaya
mrityormāamritam gamaya
Oṁ śhānti śhānti śhāntiḥ
From ignorance, lead me to truth
From darkness, lead me to light
From death, lead me to immortality
Let the light of Diwali illuminate every aspect of your life. Let us remember this message and carry it with us throughout the rest of the year; Hindus and non-Hindus alike; that we must be the ones to shine light where darkness exists.
Shubh Deepawali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan (Happy Diwali and a Happy New Year) to you and your families.
Sonal Keshav & Yajur Shah
NHSF (UK) National Vice President & NHSF (UK) National President