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<\/span><\/p>\n The opening ceremony on Wednesday the 30<\/span>th<\/span> June 2021 marked the cumulative efforts of successive committees of our KCL Hindu Society, in their determination and perseverance over years to see this landmark project come to fruition. This is a milestone achievement that has inspired students of Dharmic backgrounds from across the globe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The UK\u2019s first Dharmic Prayer Room will now be open for all Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist students and staff at King\u2019s College London in accordance with national lockdown guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Faith societies play a pivotal role in allowing students to explore and engage with their identity. With the lack of a multi-faith facility at King\u2019s College London, student leaders across the university identified the need for such a room on their campus, as a place to celebrate and express their Dharmic identity. A prayer room not only serves the purpose of being a platform for spiritual well-being, but also acts as the catalyst for strengthening and empowering the university and wider community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the steer of the National Committee of NHSF (UK), students at the KCL Hindu Society, liaised with King\u2019s and the King\u2019s College London Students\u2019 Union, to bring about the change they wanted to see.<\/span><\/p>\n Dhra Gandhi, Co-President of KCL Hindu Society, said: \u201cAs soon as we step foot in the Dharmic Prayer Room we all felt a sense of belonging, and were confident that this would be a space where we can reflect on the qualities and aspects of ourselves and improve our efforts to practice Hindu Dharma.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Our current National Vice President, Dr Akshaya Rajangam, a former president of the KCL Hindu Society (2016-2017), was elected as the King\u2019s representative to the National Union of Students\u2019 Conference in 2019. She had the opportunity to submit a motion on behalf of NHSF (UK) titled \u201cEqual access to faith and wellbeing resources for students from Non-Abrahamic traditions.\u201d This motion stemmed from the fact many British universities currently do not cater for multi-faith spaces, and less than 20% have chaplains representing students of non-Abrahamic traditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As NHSF (UK), it is our duty to ensure that our students have spaces that are inclusive and accessible. This motion called for the NUS to action the provision of multi-faith\/meditation spaces for the numerous Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist students at all universities.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Passing with an overwhelming majority, meetings and discussions immediately began and continued in full vigour over years with the elected officers of the KCLSU and representatives of the student societies on campus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Students were successful in communicating the need for such a space with KCL Estates and Facilities and the Dean\u2019s Office, being able to swiftly find an apt location on the Guy\u2019s Campus, London Bridge. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”11110,11109,11108,11107,11104,11103,11166,11167″ posts_number=”8″ orientation=”portrait” show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#0C71C3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” pagination_text_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” border_radii_image=”on|2px|2px|2px|2px”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a moment for all our Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain members. To know that they are seen. That their traditions are honoured. That there is, quite literally, space for them at this university.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The Revd Dr Ellen Clark-King, The Dean of King\u2019s<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud of our diverse community \u2013 King\u2019s is more than the sum of our parts and this new Dharmic Prayer Room offers a space for our staff and students to meet, contemplate and share spiritual guidance. I am pleased to have worked with students to make the connections to ensure that we support our entire community.”<\/strong><\/p>\n The Reverend Jim Craig, Chaplain of Guy\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis remarkable achievement marks a moment of pride for Hindu students across the country. I thank everyone who has been working tirelessly over the past few years to make sure Hindu students have a safe space on campus<\/strong>.”<\/span><\/p>\n Bhavya Shah, NHSF (UK) National President<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The Rev\u2019d Dr Clark King affirmed the commitment of the university to its students of Dharmic backgrounds, emphasising that the vision for inclusivity must be part of our lived experience, not just our rhetoric. Leading a moment of silence to give thanks, she closed the ceremony saying, \u201cMay this be a space of quiet and meditation, a place for building trust and increasing hope, a sanctuary of peace for all who use it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Samyak Pandey, former president of the KCL Hindu Society (2019-2020), remarked that students have previously had to store their sacred artifacts in the shared cupboard with sports societies. This has led to much damage, an example of which being the breaking of a Bal Krishna Murti two years back. It is heartwarming that the students have still carefully kept the Murti, waiting for this day to come, to serve as a reminder of what this Dharmic Prayer Space means to them. A space that recognises and values the sanctity and uniqueness of their traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n This project paves the path for greater inclusivity for students of Dharmic backgrounds across the world, and acts as a model for every British University to follow suit.<\/span><\/p>\n As King\u2019s College London leads the way for ensuring a safe space on campus for its Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist students, NHSF (UK) c<\/span>ontinues its mission in supporting its Hindu societies to create similar opportunities at every campus with other Dharmic societies, truly making a home away from home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Once again, we extend our congratulations to the King\u2019s College London community and The PDF version of this press release can be found below:<\/p>\n
hope that the light of your collective efforts will brighten campuses across the UK with
more such safe spaces celebrating the flame of Dharma.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n