Over 2,000 members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK (HSS UK) came together to host UK Parliament Week recently, after winning the UK Parliament’s Official Partner of the Year award during the pandemic.
UK Parliament Week is an initiative founded by the House of Lords and the House of Commons to inform and educate British citizens on the work and role of Parliament. It began in 2011 and last year, over 1.2 million people took part nationwide. Through interactive activities, HSS UK engaged members of the public in polling, petition drafting, letter writing and more.
The week-long virtual conference, organised by HSS UK last month, was attended by 41 MPs, including Sir Graham Brady, Alex Chalk, Theresa Villiers, Bob Blackman, Matthew Offord, Holly Lynch, Navendu Mishra, Virendra Sharma and Fabian Hamilton.
“We are delighted Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) has taken the opportunity to participate in this year’s UK Parliament Week and inspire their members to get involved in democracy. They thoroughly deserve the 2020 UK Parliament Week Official Partner of the Year Award for innovative and engaging participation," says David Clark, Head of Education and Engagement at UK Parliament.
HSS UK is a national charity focused on developing sanskaar (values of life), sewa (selfless service) and sangathan (community spirit) among the youth in the UK. Celebrating its 54th anniversary, the charity engages over 10,000 Hindus across their 100+ shakhas (branches) in regular activities across the UK.
“I had no idea about how the country is run, I didn't know much about politics but after participating in Parliament Week I actually find Parliament very interesting and I want to learn more," says 13-year-old Ayush Joshi from HSS UK's Newbury Shakha.
“UK Parliament Week is a very important event. It highlights the importance of speaking up and getting your voice heard. Before Parliament Week I had no clue about how parliament is run but now I know about the different voting systems and different ways in which I can participate. I feel empowered and confident that together we can make a difference. After this event, I am motivated to join more debates at school and make my voice heard,” says 14-year-old Yachna Dhir from HSS UK’s Cheltenham Balagokulam.
*Info: More about Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s Shakhas and UK Parliament Week here