25 years on, NHSF (UK) continues to change the lives of Hindu students throughout the country. Our philosophy remains simple – that Hindu students can and will make a positive impact on the British community. On the National Committee, we are constantly working to better facilitate the various dialogues that our chapters want to have with their members and the communities around them. “25”, our silver jubilee celebrations, will see a host of new initiatives being launched and here, we identify 5 of those that have the potential to redefine our work forever.
Adopt a Mandir Project
With fewer young Hindus attending their local Mandir, and with youth Mandir committees being practically non-existent, serious questions will soon start to arise around the longevity of the current state of Mandirs up and down the country. We need to drive our youth to take up positions at their local Mandirs, taking with them new skills, technology and community awareness that will help to re-energise what has always been the central hub of the British Hindu community. NHSF (UK) chapters will adopt their local Mandir, making them the focus of local Sewa efforts, building stronger links between the university and the Mandir and creating a strong support network for all to benefit from, student and non-student alike.
Chapter Development Fund
For years, NHSF (UK) chapters struggle to finance and refinance their activity. Student Union bureaucracy, lack of available sponsorship and the insufficient time between committee handovers are only some of the issues that have crippled chapter finances since our inception. Nationally, we recognise the need for better financial support and it has always been difficult to provide due to the limited resources within the national pot. The National Finance Team has been working hard however, and they have potentially found a solution with the Chapter Development Fund, a collective pot that will start small but will grow with the support of our chapters,. The Chapter Development Fund will create a mechanism that will allow chapters to support one another, whilst the National Finance Team will take on any accounting work necessary to make the Fund a success. Here, you wouldn’t be blamed for the urge to shout “Sanghatan Mei Shakti Hai” (Unity is strength)!
100in100 and the Chapter Well-Wisher Scheme
Similar to the Chapter Development Fund, this initiative is designed to help strength our chapter finances. Well-wishers have been integral to the national organisation for almost 15 years now and their unwavering support has given NHSF (UK) the much needed stability and confidence to continue working for the Samaj. The Chapter Well-Wisher Scheme scales down the National Well-Wisher Scheme to focus on individual chapters. Chapters will be able to create their own network of well-wishers who will contribute a fixed amount every year, whilst the National Finance Team will manage the entire system. Building on this network year-on-year, we hope that every chapter will create a strong network of well-wishers that will rid them of any future financial concerns, allowing them to do what they do best – support and empower Hindu students at university. This year, we kick this all off in a massive way with 100in100, a drive to reach 100 well-wishers over 100 days. Watch this space for more information.
NHSF Alumni Network
The NHSF Alumni Network has been a project that has been at the back of our mind at NHSF (UK) for many years. It feels almost natural that a national student body that has inspired thousands, where its members graduate once every 3 to 4 years, has its own alumni network. With a drive to launch the NHSF (UK) Alumni Network as soon as possible, we hope that former university students and NHSF (UK) Alumni will create a supportive network for current students and for one another. Imagine a network of over 100,000 young Hindus collaborating to build a bright future.
The Ambition Run
Let’s build a stronger, fitter, more ambitious and more mindful young generation of Hindus. Let’s create a new generation of leaders, role models and ambassadors that will bear the flame of Hindu Dharma. That is the aim. That was the drive with which NHSF (UK) held its first stall at the Hindu Half Marathon 25 years ago and it is the ambition we still hold dear today. Over 5,000 people will run a half marathon with us carrying this dream with them and together we will succeed! And could there be a more appropriate name to give this run than “The Ambition Run”?