In a cross-party celebration, HSS (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh) UK brought its Golden Jubilee celebrations to a close on 30th November 2017 amongst distinguished guests and Parliamentarians. Hosted by Lord Jitesh Gadhia, guests enjoyed a brief glimpse into the wide-ranging activities which HSS UK has inspired over the last 50 years. Whilst the event highlighted the achievements of swayamsevaks and sevikas (HSS UK volunteers) over the last half century in the UK, the forward-looking message of hope from Shri Dhiraj Shah, HSS UK’s President, was for the wider British and Hindu community "To better understand and more importantly, articulate in practice the HSS UK principal tenets of Sanskaar (dharmic cultural values), Sewa (selfless community work) and Sanghatan (unity amongst diversity)”.
Lord Gadhia highlighted that HSS UK’s Golden Jubilee is “a proud moment for all Hindus in the UK”. HSS UK has been a pioneer over the last five decades with outstanding achievements through many significant projects including Hindu Half Marathon, that became the UK’s third largest road race, and the Virat Hindu Sammelan in 1989, which is still to date
the largest Hindu gathering outside of India, to name a few. Lord Gadhia added, “What is impressive is not just the high profile activities, but the grass root activities that happen day to day, week in week out, and the holistic way in which HSS UK is developing the leadership skills of the next generation”. Lord Gadhia expressed that “the best times lie ahead” and that it is necessary to invest in our youth for the future. Lord Gadhia further added, "Hindu culture
is firmly anchored in human values” and that "Hindu values are more important today than they have ever been. Being open to new ideas, respect for difference, embracing global influences is built into our Hindu Philosophy stretching back to the Rig Veda. This adaptive Hindu DNA is ever more important given the pace of change and uncertainty in the world
around us”.
The event was graced with the presence of key community leaders and Parliamentarians, Lord Dholakia, Rt. Hon Theresa Villiers, Barry Gardiner MP, Bob Blackman MP and Shailesh Vara MP, whom all shared with the audience their positive experiences of HSS UK.
