20th Anniversary of NHSF (UK) & launch of ‘Arise Arjuna’ – Nehru Centre, London

On Wednesday 16th November, I attended the 20th anniversary celebration of National Hindu Students Forum (UK). It was also the ‘Arise Arjuna’ national conference launch event. The event took place at the Nehru Centre in Central London. Pictures and commentary from the event.

It was very well attended by over 200 people providing representation from various Hindu organisations. There were also national members of NHSF and various alumni.

Manoj Ladwa, the founder and chief executive at law firm MLS Chase opened proceedings. He was one of the founding members of NHSF some 20 years ago. Ladwa provided a great insight into how they saw a need for a Hindu society at their place of study at the time. Starting NHSF wasn’t just a ‘short term goal’, but one that they felt would shape the preservation of Hinduism for future generations of student in the UK.

Alpesh Patel, founding Principal of Praefinium Partners Ltd and regular contributor to BBC, gave a speech focussing on the need to essentially ‘practice’ what we believe. He claimed that ‘We all have the power to manifest God itself. To be like Lord Ram’. Ram is the main character from the Ramayan, who embodies positive characteristics and is often seen to be the perfect human being. Powerful and noteworthy from Patel.

Pranav Bhanot president of NHSF(UK) gave a great closing speech focussing on the ‘future’ of NHSF(UK), offering his thanks to previous presidents of NHSF, the founding members and well wishers.

There was a nice musical performance of the bhajan ‘O Palan Hare’ from the film Lagaan. This was covered by Amal Lad (guitar), Sheffali Dhutia (vocalist) and Hiten Gohil (tabla). A wonderful Kathak dance was performed by Janaki Mehta.

Having been involved with NHSF for a number of years now, it was great to learn about what’s planned this coming Saturday at the Arise Arjuna event at JFS school in Kingsbury.

We worked on the design of the Arise Arjuna brochure which will be handed out at the event on Saturday.

For more information visit: www.nhsf.org.uk