By Kishan Bhatt
NHSF PR Officer
National Hindu Students Forum (UK) made history at their annual conference, ’24seven’, which was held on Saturday 8th November at DeMontfort University, Leicester. A record number of student delegates attended the conference to experience the series of talks and interactive workshops.
More importantly, however, NHSF actively explored some controversial issues facing the young Hindu community at university that need to be addressed. Issues such as sex, drugs, alcohol and relationships formed an integral part of the featured workshops in the conference, which openly discussed these issues, allowing students to deliberate on them through the knowledge and prescription of Hindu Dharma.
24seven revolved around the economics of choice that Hindu students constantly face in Western communities, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the modern world progressing so rapidly and changes taking place so quickly, the choices that students make play an integral and important role when deciding on committing towards a certain action. The conference aimed to guide students in making a conscious effort when making their choices and decisions using the philosophies of our Sanatan Sharma and the knowledge of our values and principles. The General Secretary of NHSF, Rajiv Chandregra stated, “Although we encouraged students to make the right decisions in their lives we did not tell them that they should know their right and wrong, but that they had a variety of choices available to them. We explained what the
repercussions of those choices would be on their daily lives and the impact that those choices would have on themselves, their family and friends, their society and even their own paths in their lives.”
Through these aims and objectives, the conference was structured around three core effects: the Butterfly Effect, the Ripple Effect and the Internal Effect. The Butterfly Effect introduced our students to the economics of choice and its effects. The Ripple Effect looked at the effects of these actions not just on to themselves, but to those around them and the world at large. The Internal Effect explained how students can use Sanatan Dharma’s philosophies such as controlling the mind and channeling sensible thoughts and actions to make positive choices in their lives.
These effects, in turn, were discussed more practically and explicitly in workshops, which covered issues such as relationships, sex, drugs, alcohol, the environment, vegetarianism, achieving success, spirituality and adding value’ through charity. Meera Solanki, from the University of Birmingham reflected on the conference, “I think NHSF have enlightened me! These issues are very important to our student community; these are the choices we make every day and the decisions are hard, and 24seven has really opened up my eyes to how a vast amount of Hindu knowledge can be used to help me make the right choices. As of today I will try to live it and breathe it!”
Kajal Valani, the President of NHSF stated, “There is a need for the youth in the Hindu community to start addressing these issues, because, as generations pass, the decisions that the youth make are shaping our community’s future. What is more important is that the Hindu community must seek to use their broad range of knowledge and philosophies as prescribed in their scriptures to try and enhance their understanding of issues facing them today, such as should Hindu’s have unrestrictive sex? Should Hindus drink in moderation? Should Hindus be vegetarians? Our youth are inquisitive and the current generation is keen to ask questions. This conference, organised by NHSF, has provided some of these answers.”
The conference was proudly attended by the inspirational first female Asian and Hindu Mayor, Lord Mayor Manjula Sood. Impressed with the content of the event, she supported NHSF’s view about the great need to address such issues in the Hindu community and the need to express our knowledge to get a greater understanding of where we stand as a student community. The topics NHSF have addressed in this conference provide the answers for tomorrow, the talent of tomorrow and, principally, the very nature and fabric of the future Hindu community.
Barack Obama created history by becoming the first black President of the USA. NHSF created history, in both quality and quantity, of the most influential conference of its kind in Europe. Hindu students will, in turn, make history in pioneering the direction of society using Hindu Dharma.
If there are any questions you would like to ask about the conference or if you would like to get involved with NHSF in their activities in any way, please email me at kishan.bhatt@nhsf.org.uk or alternatively chetna@nhsf.org.uk