PRESTON, UNITED KINGDOM, September 17, 2003: Gathering together to celebrate their culture, faith, and identity, 3,000 Hindu youth participated in the “Get Connected” Hindu Youth Festival 2002. Every aspect of the event was a reflection of Hindu culture in some way, from the grand opening paying respects to Lord Ganesha to the greeting of guests by offering a sweet and kunkuna powder for the forehead. In the main hall, a Hindu priest explained the traditional Hindu marriage ceremony, young ladies were taught how to properly sport a sari and experts explained the science of Vaastu Shastra, the Hindu equivalent of Feng Shui. Young children were able to participate in games and coloring contests depicting Hindu epics. A special hall was set aside for speakers and debates about the origin of the Vedas, meditation, yoga and more. Prime Minister Tony Blair commented about the event, “This event provides young British Hindus with an important opportunity to explore their culture and their faith. It will provide a useful forum for participants to address the key issues facing young Hindus in Britain today. Events like yours play an important role in helping us to appreciate and celebrate this diversity and I wish you every success.” Kailash Parekh, one of the coordinators of the event said, ” ‘Get Connected’ provides a unique platform for youth of all backgrounds to voice their opinion on issues and challenges of common concern. The event has been an opportunity to discuss what it means to be a young Hindu in Britain today.” Jayesh Ashra, a youth in attendance, summed up the spirit of it all, “Today has been fantastic fun and served as an inspiration for me to discover more about my faith, so that I am able to share it with the rest of the world, in a more informed way.”
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