Hindu Sevika Samiti (U.K.)

Hindu Sevika Samiti is a voluntary non-profit women’s cultural organisation. Established since 1975, the organisation now has 23 branches across the UK with an average weekly attendance of over 500 members. All office bearers, both National and Local are volunteers devoting their spare time for the work of Hindu Sevika Samiti.

Mission Statement and Objectives

Hindu Sevika Samiti, through its activities, encourages girls and women to learn, practice and preserve universal Hindu values, to build self-confidence, cultivate a sense of social consciousness and achieve all round development in order to face the challenges and rigours of the modern era. This we hope will lead to individuals who proactively contribute and eventually become integral members of the culture, society and country in which they live.

Our Activities - Local Branches

We strive to meet our aims by providing a balanced and diverse range of activities for the young and older. The following are just an example of the activities carried out on a weekly basis at our local branches:

• Yoga and physical exercise

       For physical fitness, mental calmness and focus.

• Games and workshops

       A fun way to learn teamwork, friendship and co-ordination.

• Lectures

To share knowledge on a variety of subjects.

• Discussions and debates

To enable people to exchange opinions, communicate and increase interpersonal skills.

• Celebration of festivals

To learn about out history, heritage and culture.

Our Activities - National/Regional

Since 1986, Hindu Sevika Samiti has been holding an annual residential camp for young Hindu women aged 13 and upward. There are approximately 100 participants each year from across Britain. The course content includes seminars in yoga, self-defence, confidence building and leadership, Hindu philosophy, culture, and community service.

Regular weekend training courses are held at regional levels.

Our Activities - International Seminars

Many of our members have attended international youth leadership and cultural seminars in India, USA, Guyana, Trinidad, South Africa, Germany, Norway, Canada, Holland and many others. This has enabled knowledge and experience sharing across the world on common issues facing women today.

In the past two years 10 of our members have attended a month long intensive yoga teachers training course in Bangalore, India. This has enabled them to become qualified yoga instructors.

Community Projects/Charity Work

In Samiti we live by the famous slogan – ‘Service to Mankind is Service to God’. Our community projects have included:

• Voluntary work at Old People Homes

• Blood Donation

• Distribution of fruit to local hospitals

• Tree planting

• Careers Fair

• Street collections during natural disasters appeals (e.g. Gujarat Earthquake, Tsunami)

• Collection and packing of clothes for Charity

• Fundraising events