Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (U.K.) (HSS U.K.) official partner of UK Parliament Week, hosted Parliament Week activities at 26 shakhas up and down the country. From the youngest 5year old to the oldest 86year old, there was something for everyone to participate in. It was an opportunity especially for the youth to ‘have their say’ on the issues that matter to them the most. Shakhas representing several constituencies across the United Kingdom signed up to be part of the conversation.
UK Parliament Week is a UK-wide festival which took place from 2-8 November 2019. The aims are to engage the entire population, including members of the Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh community. Particular focus is given to engaging young people from different backgrounds within the communities and empowering them to get involved.
Participants at Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh shakhas had the opportunity to ask questions, think critically and engage with the UK Parliament and demonstrate that we are very much an integral part of a thriving democracy. A planned format included showcasing activities of the HSS including Khel and Surya Namaskar to the invited guests and debates on topics ranging from ‘Voting age must be lowered to 16 years’, ‘ Diwali should be a Public Holiday’ ‘Global warming, is it man-made or natural catastrophe’ and as expected, a heated debate on ‘Brexit, Are we better off IN or OUT of the European Community’. The Brexit debacle did not dampen the enthusiasm of the youngsters for vigorous debating. Balloting on these and other debated topics threw up some interesting results! A number of shakhas held Quizzes, presented talks on UK parliament and discussed what UK parliament does. We had the opportunity to interact with invited guests from across the political spectrum which included a local Mayor, local councilors, Ex-Members of Parliament and members of a local Hindu Temple Trust at Bromley. Guests were impressed with the discipline and good values of SEWA, SANSKAR and SANGATHAN that Sangh inculcates in the youngsters. We were told that our community needs to participate widely in all spheres of government and that on day in the future, ‘we may even see a Hindu Prime Minister residing at No 10’! We heard about the role of a speaker and how votes are counted after a debate in Parliament. Trips to the Parliament and local Council chambers will be organized.
A letter of support for our UK Parliament week activity included one from Lord Jitesh Gadhia in which he stated that it is vital for all Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists to forge a deeper understanding of our democratic process in the UK. Lord Gadhia elaborated that with our heritage of democratic processes dating back to the Vedas (1500 BCE), India continues to be the world’s largest and diverse democracy respecting all cultures and faiths and this explains why the British Indians are playing an increasingly active role in UK citizenship.
HSS (U.K.) spokesperson said: “We are excited that so many shakhas across the country got involved in UK Parliament Week 2019 and demonstrated how they can play a vital role in their democracy. From Sale in the North West to Bromley in the South, South end in the East to Cheltenham in the West, over 26 branches participated with a total of more than 720 participants. Debates, balloting, quizzes, searching Q & As with ex-members of Parliament, councilors and a Mayor and screening of Parliament education videos are some of the activities featured in our shakhas Parliament Week events between 2nd and 8th November. #UKPW themed Cup Cakes were favorites with all!”
In 2018, UK Parliament Week reached almost 1 million people, with more than 8,100 activities. This year’s UK Parliament Week festival is expected to be the largest ever.
David Clark, Head of Education and Engagement at UK Parliament, said: “We are delighted Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (U.K.) has taken the opportunity to participate in this year’s UK Parliament Week and inspire their members to get involved in their democracy and have their say on the issues they care about most. This year’s UK Parliament Week has been the largest ever’’
BY DR.HARSHA JANI
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More and more Hindus need to participate in Political system of the country where ever they are living. So my congratulations to Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh U.K. to celebrate Parliament Week.