Last Sunday I attended an event called, “You Choose”, this is an initiative which allows local residents of Tameside to have a say on the projects that they wish to see take place in their respective communities. Each project had to advertise themselves to the residents for 3 minutes and it is their vote that decides the distribution of funds given by the local council.
One of these projects was the annual Tameside Diwali Celebrations, which attracts up to 2000 people. Residents from the local Hindu community attended to help support the project. I stood at the back noting those who attended on behalf of the Hindu community. Around 25 individuals came, 4 were below the age of 30, around 3 were between 30 and 50 years and the rest were above 50, in particular a group of 6 who were above the age of 65 up to 75. I took particular interest of the group of 65+ years. I watched and saw how they struggled to organise the documents they received as part of the voting system, they were often told to be quiet by those around them as they were in discussion and they didn’t fully understand English however, regardless of these difficulties they were still present to support the project.
This made me think, a project that attracts many people in the borough also attracts many groups who want perform at the celebrations. However it was a majority of the much elder members of the Hindu community that were present to offer their support. To me this highlights that a proportion of Hindu youth are still not actively taking part in the community we live in but possibly relying on our elders to still carry on the work and reap the benefits.
Youth involvement has always been an issue in particular involvement of the mandir committee. This seems existent across the UK.
So, why don’t the youth get involved? There are many reasons, commitments to work life, family life, other community groups, laziness, no available positions on the committee or even a disregard to the mandir. The mandir is a focal point of our Hindu community, a place where we meet and come together to celebrate important festivals. It’s also a symbol of our identity, who we are, our culture and customs.
I believe, as youth it’s important to get stuck in where possible. Even if it is something small such as sweeping the hall, serving food, greeting visitors. It is through these small practices where we gain such simple but valuable sanskaars (values), which help, build our character. This can eventually lead onto something bigger, like helping to clean up after Holi (Festival of Colours), prepare for an arrival of a revered priest or even preparing the Annakut (New Years Day). A youth who becomes the face of the community will give that peace of mind to the elders that someone does care and that a role model does exist for future generations to look up to.
As a swayamsevak, this act of serving our community comes naturally to me. But to others who regard themselves as swayamsevaks ask yourself the question, do you serve your community outside of the 2-hour Shakha?
I believe, as youth it’s important to get stuck in where possible. Even if it is something small such as sweeping the hall, serving food, greeting visitors. It is through these small practices where we gain such simple but valuable sanskaars (values), which help, build our character. This can eventually lead onto something bigger, like helping to clean up after Holi (Festival of Colours), prepare for an arrival of a revered priest or even preparing the Annakut (New Years Day). A youth who becomes the face of the community will give that peace of mind to the elders that someone does care and that a role model does exist for future generations to look up to.
As a swayamsevak, this act of serving our community comes naturally to me. But to others who regard themselves as swayamsevaks ask yourself the question, do you serve your community outside of the 2-hour Shakha?
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