5:40pm Wednesday 18th November 2009
Students from across the country will gather this week for the National Hindu Students Forum (UK) annual conference, amid growing fears that Hinduism and Hindu culture is being debased among the Hindu youth.
As next generation Hindus increasingly adopt western lifestyles many are turning away from their traditions and are becoming illiterate in their culture and heritage.
The Conference, which also will hear a special video message from Tony Blair as well as David Cameron, will explode some myths and misconceptions on spirituality, the Hindu community and politics.
It will explore caste discrimination, the inequality of men and women and the apparent bollywoodisation of the Hindu faith.
Workshops will examine the most current political issues including the rise of far right groups, such as the BNP and their affects on the Hindu community, such as recent physical racially aggravated attacks on Asian students at City University; increasing Hindu representation in politics – both local and national; and the human and civil rights that should be invested to Hindus around the world.
Spirituality workshops will discuss whether or not the Ramayana and Mahabharata are just myths based on fiction or are still relevant in today’s society.
Baroness Verma, Virendra Sharma MP and Seema Malhotra (the former chair of the Young Fabians) will all be taking part in a ‘Question Time’ panel.
Other ministers and politicians are also expected to attend.
Kajal Valani, President of the National Hindu Students Forum, said: “For too long the Hindu community has been passive and silent.
It is this inactiveness that has led the Hindu community to be taken for granted on so many different levels; from the misconceptions of idol worshipping and caste discrimination to the misguided representation of Hindus in British political life.
“The educating, exploring and empowering form part of the core aim to get our students to stand up and speak up on some of the most important issues that will govern the future of our Hindu community. That to me is real politics!”
Over the past 18 years NHSF has been working hard to support Hindu students across the country and now have active chapters in universities and colleges throughout the UK.
‘Hindu Times: Be The News You Wish to See’ to be held this Saturday 21st November at the City University, London.
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