{"id":1205,"date":"2009-01-07T13:01:43","date_gmt":"2009-01-07T13:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/2009\/01\/nhsf-the-future-of-hindus-in-politics\/"},"modified":"2020-07-19T14:29:11","modified_gmt":"2020-07-19T13:29:11","slug":"nhsf-the-future-of-hindus-in-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/?p=1205","title":{"rendered":"NHSF – The Future of Hindus in Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kajal Valani <\/strong><\/em>
\n NHSF President<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Wikipedia states that \u0091Hindu politics\u0092<\/strong> refers to the political movements professing to draw inspiration from Hinduism. It also states that \u0091Politics\u0092 is a group of people who make a decision. So what is the link between Hindu Dharma and Politics? Do British Hindu students even come into the scale of things?When looking at the outer surface of things, I would guess that most people\u0092s reactions to Hindu students in politics would draw a blank face. When it comes to medicine or computer science, they are making their mark, but where are our students in the field of politics? Where are their voices, their opinions and their thoughts?<\/p>\n

Young people today are disappointed with the lack of values in public life, particularly with some of those in authority. With so few role models for them to learn from, are students and other young adults really encouraged to stand up for themselves? My perspective on the matter lies with the thinking of our community and its surrounding patrons. We all, in general, see politics attributed to the works of people like Sonia Gandhi or Barack Obama, but politics is much more than that, and covers a greater field. If we help students understand the essence of what politics is and how they can begin to understand it, it will empower them to be able to enter politics on a larger scale. Then, and only then, will you see British Hindu students entering the political arena, taking a stand and becoming the face of our religion, race and community. It is organisations such as National Hindu Students Forum (UK) – better known as NHSF – which encourages these students to be active in politics in its many different forms.<\/p>\n

NHSF allows and encourages its members to get involved in politics from so many different angles and some who are involved do not even realise it. Politics is the process where a group of people make a decision. Yes we generally relate it to civil government, but it is observed in different human interactions whether that be on a corporate or a religious basis. Members of NHSF make the decisions at university to do much more than study and \u0091have a good time\u0092. They join their local Hindu society and they democratically join the committees to make decisions and to learn & develop leadership skills under the guidance of the national committees. They get involved in organising events such as weekly prayer activities. However, these leaders do not only organise such activities where they are allowing students to get involved within the spiritual, ritual, educational and religious aspect of Hindu Dharma, they are asking questions and trying to understanding the meaning behind what we do and why we do it. This is a new generation who wants answers and will themselves be proactive to get what they are looking for. They understand that Hindu Dharma is integral to their own lives, it is not a dogmatic way and they will question what they do until they understand and become immersed in the answer. It is these leaders that are forcing their members to forever question what Hindu Dharma is so that they fully understand it and why it is important we do not lose Hindu Dharma as our guide to life in today\u0092s society. That is politics.<\/p>\n

On November 8th 2008, NHSF held their annual conference in Leicester this year, entitled \u009124seven\u0092, which analysed decisions students made on a daily basis in their lives and subsequently looked at the effect of these choices to the students themselves, the society around them and the world at large. There were workshops titled \u0091Drinks, Drugs and Rock n Roll\u0092, \u0091Sex and the Samaj\u0092, and \u0091Captain Planet\u0092 in addition to many others. The conference looked at global issues such as binge drinking, the effect of drugs in our society, the implications of sex for those at universities and the effects of choices they make based around that. It also looked at global issues such as the environment, forcing those who attended to really think about their actions. This conference did what governments across the world are trying to do. A conference organised by 19-22 year olds (average age range) is doing what \u0091politicians\u0092 across the world, are trying to do. It brought together the youth of today, allowed them to feel at ease, be open and not just talk about the issues facing the world today, but take pro-active positive action upon them. Be it not in a large public facing way, but to at least do their bit and take baby steps. That is politics.<\/p>\n

There are around 30 universities who have Hindu societies under the NHSF banner within the UK today. Over 95% of them conduct events and activities which look at religious, spiritual, educational, ritual, discursive, social and political areas of Hindu Dharma. For example, there is a national Sewa Week taking place on 2-8th March. The definition of Sewa is \u0091selfless service\u0092, so during this week, NHSF members from across the UK will be involved in various activities where they will go out of their way to perform acts of kindness with no selfish intent. What each society does is up to them and there are a lot of creative types of sewa they all get involved in. This year, the national committee has given themes for each day as a guideline. For example, Friday will be a day dedicated to doing sewa for the community, whether it is visiting a hospital or an old people’s home. Thursday will be a day where local societies and all those involved with \u0091Sewa Week\u0092 will be looking to fast for the day and members can then be sponsored or the money for giving up a meal can be collected in. During this week, around 4,500 affiliated members of NHSF will be involved with sewa week in either their own unique personal way, or in unity with other inspiring individuals and groups. Across the country, over 40,000 Hindu Students which are represented by NHSF will, thanks to these leaders of different societies, have the chance to be involved in various acts of selfless service. An act that politicians claim to posses in civil governments today. That is politics.<\/p>\n

NHSF members get involved in campaigns and issues which affect the citizens of Hindu Dharm a, not just in the UK, not just in India but globally. Whether it be marches, petitions or leading meetings with the government or other Hindu based organizations, NHSF leaders and politicians get in there and look for creative ways to ensure we stand up for our principles and values which we have questioned, analysed and accepted. We look to make a difference and will not rest till our voices and opinions are heard. That is politics. So NHSF is creating avenues for people to enter politics on a smaller scale so they can gain experience before standing up for themselves, their communities and Hindu Dharma on a national and\/or international arena. They do realise that we could forever be taking these baby steps. So what are they doing to help British Hindu students to enter politics on the national or international scale within or outside civil governments? Well to name a few examples; NHSF are acting as a host organisation for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and are encouraging students to apply to be part of the scheme where they will receive international training and for a few months work with different organisations from different faiths in increasing their political affiliations, especially concentrating on inter-faith dialogue. NHSF are also currently in talks with government officials in organising a shadowing scheme with politicians so that diligent students can really understand what the life of a politician (whether they are Hindu or not) within British politics entails.<\/p>\n

NHSF are in the process of really trying to use this training and support they have given their members and committees in becoming political citizens to become political leaders whom others can learn from and can view as role models and ambassadors of Hindu Dharma. For this to occur, I personally wish to give messages and my humble opinion to our Hindu youth, to respected elders within the Hindu community and to governments and national & world leaders:<\/p>\n

To Hindu Youth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Politics is an institution and people blame the institution. It is not that the institution itself has degenerated. Only a few people in it have brought a bad name to it. We as youth should take part in politics with good intentions since we will be responsible and accountable to the people. Let\u0092s stop the blame game and let\u0092s use everything we have learnt when we were on the local NHSF Hindu Societies and everything we are learning now to become the true ambassadors of Hindu Dharma and shape the way forward. We are the future of tomorrow, BUT we must act TODAY. For those who wish to join local Hindu Societies to star on this learning journey, please check out www.nhsf.org.uk for more information. For those who are already on this journey; every political party has a youth wing for interested young adults so please contact myself and I will be able to guide you in the right direction.<\/p>\n

To the Hindu Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

The youth are our future and they will be the ones continuing the good work we have all started today. The UK sees a number of Hindu organisations working to uphold Hindu Dharma in the forefront of society today. All our organisations have effectively the same ONE VISION. We are one family who have chosen to take different routes and we must combine our strengths and eliminate our weaknesses (which can only be done in our unity), which must become our strength and act as our divinity. NHSF look to work in shaping the youth of today and I personally thank you for all your support in this struggle and movement which we are all a part of. However, we do need your assistance, guidance and experience more so today than ever. NHSF wish to work with other such organisations as we do believe in the concept of \u0091Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam\u0092- The whole world is one family. My sincere plea to all organisations is, therefore, to work with us, take us seriously and let\u0092s try to achieve our \u0091ONE VISION\u0092 together. This is so we can, for example, help students break into politics with an easy transition and so they can take us to the heights which we see ourselves and Hindu Dharma going towards.<\/p>\n

To Governments<\/strong><\/p>\n

One in six people in the world today are Hindu. Hindus today are making their mark in almost every field, be it Law, Business or the Sciences. Within the UK, Hindus are the fastest growing contributors to the education and work sectors. This increase and vast scale can only continue if the youth are able and encouraged to get involved and make their mark. We are constantly told about their \u0091lack of experience\u0092 and how there is a \u0091time and place\u0092. Constantly we get overlooked as not having an understanding of what politics is and not being \u0091good enough\u0092. We are good enough and we can and want to succeed and join you into leading our country, our nation and the world to new and exciting horizons. We have got experience, be it in a different format. Use our talents and skills as we will be the future of tomorrow and this future must be invested into NOW. I, as a British Hindu citizen, ask you to open your horizons and see the potential I see on a daily basis as the President of the National Hindu Students Forum (UK).<\/p>\n

So to answer my initial question: Yes, I do think British Hindu students are in politics. But there\u0092s a lot more work to be done to widen the sphere of influence. British Hindus needs to contribute as a collective entity to the ‘Britishness’ of this nation, not just as a token representation for the glory of an individual, but contribute in sharing the executive power in influencing decision making processes in order to bring forth the Universal values of family togetherness for the benefit of all of us. This selfless thought process must be borne in mind when we engage ourselves in politics guided by Dharma.<\/p>\n

For more information on how to get involved or how to help please contact me on kajal@nhsf.org.uk<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Kajal Valani NHSF President Wikipedia states that \u0091Hindu politics\u0092 refers to the political movements professing to draw inspiration from Hinduism. It also states that \u0091Politics\u0092 is a group of people who make a decision. So what is the link between Hindu Dharma and Politics? Do British Hindu students even come into the scale of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[738],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1205\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhsf.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}