National Hindu Students' Forum (UK)

As the summer begins, the upcoming academic year soon commences, as does the next phase of NHSF (UK) - with that a new wave of future Hindu Leaders begin their journeys; on national committee, on campuses and in the community beyond. For the National Committee, the end of June brings around the NatCom summer retreat weekend, where we learn about our history and purpose, develop our skills and capabilities, and bond as a team looking forwards in championing our new theme. It is in this spirit that we reflect on the work of the last 32 years, where our former National Committees’, led by our former National Presidents’ have championed our sanskaars, worked to develop the future leaders of society, served our samaj and served our students on campuses across the country. All while developing themselves and developing a deep connection to our vision; serving a cause greater than our individual selves - one which they carry with them beyond their time on the National Committee. As we enter our 33rd year we'd like to invite you to join us in thanking Bhavya Shah for his dedication and commitment during his tenure as National President and join us in giving a warm welcome to Tulsi Dave, who as of March 2024 has become the new custodian of this responsibility, as the NHSF (UK) National President, who will follow in the footsteps of our legacy, leading our student movement in the upcoming years.

We are proud to announce our National Sports Competition for 2024 was a resounding success! There were over 1000 attendees, hundreds of teams entered, with energetic Hindu youth across the country coming together to compete with one another. Across the day, we had six sports for players to compete in; those sports being badminton, cricket, football, kabaddi, kho kho, and netball. Within these sports, our attendees embrace values integral to our organisation such as, honesty, integrity, least-violence, respect, and togetherness. Attendees from all over the UK came and participated, bringing the Hindu student community is always an achievement for us and we were very proud to see all the talented individuals showcase their incredible ability across all sports. Each year, we look to create a fun, memorable, and safe experience for our students, where they can meet and excel with like-minded individuals, connecting them with the NHSF (UK) parivaar (family). Leading up to National Sports Competitions, our chapters engage and train with another, upskilling, ultimately partaking in the values of this event and crucial leadership qualities such as communication, organisation, and well-being. Notable external organisations at our event: Kho Kho Federation of England and Valhallan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY... Yesterday, a small group of British Hindus, from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force (RAF), and National Hindu Students' Forum (UK), visited the Chattri Memorial, on the South Downs just outside Brighton. The Memorial was opened in 1921 at the site where 53 #Hindu and #Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army were cremated according to their religious rites. The soldiers were amongst 12,000 Indian troops injured on the Western Front in the Great War and sent to the Indian War Hospital in Brighton Pavilion to recover. Sadly these 53 soldiers died from their injuries, along with 21 #Muslim soldiers who were buried next to Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking (later exhumed and moved to nearby Brookwood Cemetery). Tom, Secretary of the Chattri Memorial Trust, introduced the group to the Chattri, its background, and the annual Remembrance Service held there on the second Sunday of June each year. I then spoke about the long, proud, shared heritage of Hindu / Indian communities and British Armed Forces. I gave the example of the Royal Air Force (RAF) - from Lt Indra Lal Roy, the first Indian flying ace and first Indian recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), shot down and killed behind enemy lines in France in 1918, to Flt Lt Rakesh 'Rak' Chauhan, a good friend, fellow University of St Andrews graduate, and exemplary RAF Intelligence Officer, tragically killed in a helicopter crash in #Afghanistan in 2014, and beyond. The walk, visit, and collective learning and reflection, felt a poignant, but lovely, way to remember and honour a wonderful person and a good friend. Especially as yesterday, 3 Feb 24, would have been Rak's 39th birthday. Blue skies, Rak.. 🙏🏽💙🕉

NHSF (UK) had the privilege of attending the World Hindu Congress in Bangkok on the 24th-26th November. Our National President: Bhavya Ji Shah, Vistaarika: Nikita Ji Trivedi, and National Committee member: Samyak Ji Pandey all spoke on various youth panels covering topics from Hindu identity to Anti-Hindu sentiments on campus. It was incredible to see the world Hindus globally are undertaking and what we can do going forward.

We were honoured to be invited to have a stall within the Unity Zone with Jain Student Association UK at Diwali on Trafalgar Square 2023. NHSF(UK) attended this event to speak about the work we are currently undertaking and what our organisation is, as well as educate those coming to our stall how other Dharmic faiths celebrate Diwali. The event hosted a range of singing, acting and dance performances, culminating in everyone in the audience and on stage performing aarti together at the end. We were extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend and hope to attend again next year!

This October marked NHSF (UK)’s annual Navratri events, where we aim to get Hindu students to connect to Maa Durga with students across their respective regions. As well as creating a memorable and fun experience that students will want to build upon each year. This experience is unique as they are the only large-scale student-led Navratri events in the UK, where we reach in excess of 1200 students per event. Navratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in India and by Hindu communities around the world. It is a festival which celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated in many ways, from fasting and meditation, to garba and dandiya (traditional dance). We are thrilled to have been able to bring together the Hindu student community, as well as the wider public. Notable externals at our events included: London Indian Film Festival and Anthony Nolan at our North Zone event. ITV, South Asian Health Action (SAHA), Councillor Manjula Sood, Sporting Equals and Project Care Volunteering | Volunteer Abroad at our Central Zone event. ANOOPAM MISSION UK , Chinmaya Mission, Akshaya Patra UK, British Army and Jain and Hindu Organ Donation Alliance in collaboration with Anthony Nolan at our London Zone event. NHSF(UK) hopes everyone observed a safe and happy Navratri and enjoys the coming days leading to Diwali.