“I am delighted to be hosting this celebration to mark the 30th Anniversary of the National Hindu Students Forum. Over the past three decades, NHSF has provided Hindu students at universities across the UK, a safe space to explore their Hindu identity, cultivate their key values, and develop into future leaders and role models. Above all, it has instilled a sense of pride in Hindu identity on campus.
“It’s wonderful to see so many generations represented here this afternoon - from current students to the original founders and alumni of NHSF - to community elders who inspired and supported its creation.
“I am also delighted to welcome a wide range of my colleagues from Parliament - representing both houses and from across all parties. Indeed, support for Hindus and Hindu students should rightly be a source of strong political consensus across our country.
“As well as celebrating the last 30 years of impressive achievement by NHSF - today is also an opportunity to take stock of the story of British Hindus - who now represent over 1 million of our citizens.
“That journey is captured by the exhibition which you see around this room - but is equally embodied by the experiences of so many present here as well. It is a story of two halves: of struggle and sacrifice, as well as positive progress and remarkable contribution to every field of human endeavour.
“Not only would the UK be poorer in every sense without British Hindus - but in many areas of activity, such as the health service - our society would struggle to function without the exceptional talent and skills of the Hindu and wider Indian community.
Yet ours is a quiet contribution - not a bombastic or attention-seeking one - anchored in the very best Dharmic values of duty and service.
“But, at times, the absence of public profile has acted against the interests of Hindus - especially the simplistic media portrayal which conflates the politics of the subcontinent with the underlying philosophy of Hinduism.
“Regrettably, Hindus and Indians have become a punch bag in Parliament too from certain quarters. The public understanding of the world’s third-largest religion is surprisingly shallow and often dominated by images of rituals rather than an appreciation of a 5,000-year-old ancient civilisation from the Indus Valley.
“Now, more than ever, Hindus require a stronger voice and profile to counter the distorted representation. The essence of Hinduism is to be open, inclusive and tolerant of others. We don’t come from a theocratic country, or tradition, but instead from a civilisation which accepts that there are many paths, respecting and embracing difference.
“This is evident across every corner of India and the challenge for us all is to better explain our values and the ground reality - that we represent not only the oldest tradition in the world but one of the most peaceful and tolerant.
“Infact, I would say that in an era of increasing ideological competition and global fragmentation, Hinduism and Hindu values are more relevant than they have ever been.
As torchbearers of the noble values of Vasudeva Kutumbakam - the world is one family - Hindus have a pivotal role to play in countering the forces which are making societies more inward, insular and intolerant.
“So, as NHSF looks back on its legacy over the past 30 years, it can also look ahead to making an ever greater impact in the years to come - supporting future generations to understand and celebrate their Hindu culture and identity - and building on its reputation of being a factory of future leaders.”
