HYUK PIcture

Youth Organisations

 

The following organisations have worked together during HYUK events and have continuously shown their support.

 

Anoopam Mission Youth
Anoopam Mission was established through the vision of Shri Yogiji Maharaj who was the spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottom Sanstha (BAPS) from 1951 to 1971. During the late 1950s to early 1960s, an energetic and charismatic youth by the name of Jashbhai Patel was the leader of a large youth group. Yogiji Maharaj was a profound visionary who believed that whilst religion should remain intact, the manner in which it is practiced must be progressive and in keeping with the times. He believed that the best way to serve God was to learn both, to recognize that God exists within every individual and to serve Him by serving humanity. Jashbhai, more affectionately known as ‘Sahebji’, started the Mission’s activities in the 70’s.
www.anoopam-mission.org

 

Auromira Centre UK Youth
Sri Aurobindo's and The Mother's Centre of Integral Yoga is known as Auromira Centre. The Centre aims to promote spiritual progress in its entirety for everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or colour. The Centre came into existence in 1981, originally as a small centre for prayers, meditation and occasional lectures. These activities gathered momentum and by 1988 the annual summer lectures on spiritual topics and the celebration of Darshan days became well known features. In 1996 a bust of Sri Aurobindo was installed at the Centre. A shrine room has been specially created to permanently house the bust and relics of Sri Aurobindo, where one can meditate in a quiet and peaceful environment. Activities at the Centre include regular meetings with readings and meditation, as well as children's workshops and classes in Gujarati and music. In addition, there are talks by various speakers on topics related to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. There is a library of spiritual literature including books and periodicals in English and Gujarati on Sri Aurobindo's and The Mother's teaching.
www.auromira.org

 

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, UK Centre - is the premier institute for Indian Art and Culture outside the Sub-Continent. The Centre offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the music, dance, drama and languages of India, along with philosophy, yoga and meditation. This Centre holds regular classes and seminars, conducted by some of the foremost artists and scholars, as well as by the Bhavan's own teachers. To accompany the teaching, there are frequent performances by visiting eminent local and overseas artists helping to widen the horizon of both students and audiences. The Bhavan's aim is to train students to be able to uphold the traditions of India and appreciate her rich heritage in art and culture.
www.bhavan.net

 

Brahma Kumaris Youth
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an international organisation working at all levels of society for positive change. Established in 1937 it now carries out a wide range of educational programmes for the development of human and spiritual values throughout its 4000 branches in over 86 countries. The University is a Non-Governmental Organisation in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and in consultative status with UNICEF. It is also the recipient of seven UN Peace Messenger awards. Local centres provide courses and lectures in meditation and positive values, enabling individuals to recognise their true potential and make the most of their lives. The University offers all its services free of charge.
www.bkwsu.org.uk

 

Bridge Builders (Sadhu Vaswani Youth Group)
The Sadhu Vaswani Mission is a spiritual, social welfare and non-profit institution which endeavours to reach its caring services to the poor and needy, sick and aged, irrespective of caste, creed or colour. The Mission was started in 1931 in Hyderabad-Sind (now part of Pakistan) by Sadhu T. L. Vaswani, whose universal outlook and philosophy of life revolved around the supreme ideal of reverence for all life, service to suffering humanity and cultivation of the soul. The Sadhu Vaswani Mission has launched a worldwide campaign to observe Nov. 25 (Sadhu Vaswani's Birthday) as an International Meatless Day and Animal Rights Day, symbolically seeking World Peace through a shared expression of Reverence for All Life. The Sadhu Vaswani Mission is a non-sectarian, non-political, non-communal body and breathes out peace to all people of the earth.
www.sadhuvaswaniuk.com

 

Chinmaya Yuva Kendra UK
The Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) is the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission, a world-wide organisation which aims to provide for individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and a practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to the society. CHYK provides a meeting place for all young minds with an urge to know more about the purpose of life. The organisation aims to help individuals cultivate qualities necessary to win the game of life, such as clarity of vision, team spirit, capacity to rise above one’s weaknesses, equipoise and creativity. CHYK UK has been active since 1994. CHYK in the UK organises a variety of activities including study groups, camps and retreats.
www.chinmayauk.org

 

Hindu TRAC Glasgow
This is an initiative founded on the principle of ‘Absolute Basic Hinduism’. The initiative recognises that Hinduism is considered to be the oldest living religion and the root of all religions, and believes that the basic concepts and understandings are really very simple and scientific in nature. The initiative aims to empower the youth with the simplest understandings of Hinduism, how it relates to modern life and living and it's relevance to self and society and also it's relationships with other great religions of the world.
The approach is to learn in a fun way, tailoring teaching methods with the modern day youth in mind. The sessions are held in form of interactive discussions and workshops.

 

International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (ISSO)
The International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (ISSO) is the international section of the Nar-Narayan Dev Diocese of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya of the Sanatan Dharma (Hindu Religion). ISSO aims to promote Sanatan Dharma in accordance with the principles of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya as established and ordained by the founder ‘Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan’ (Shree Sahajanand Swami). ISSO seeks to provide an environment conducive to the sole aim of every individual attaining the pleasure of the Almighty God through various activities such as youth camps, religious & language classes, cultural programmes, exhibitions and festivals which it organises from its temples and centres throughout the world. ISSO was founded by HH Acharya Maharajshri Tejendraprasadji Pande.
www.swaminarayanonline.com

 

Indian Vegetarians Society
The Young Indian Vegetarians promotes the principles of vegetarianism across the world. The society was formed in 1978 by Nitin Mehta. Nitin has worked effortlessly for the past twenty years to promote the practice of vegetarianism. His vision is to see a fundamental change in the Human Beings relationship with the animal kingdom. The progress of the society and all other vegetarian societies can be seen by the increase in the number of vegetarians worldwide and the increase in awareness of vegetarianism. One in six people in the UK are now vegetarians. The Young Indian Vegetarians works closely with various other organisations e.g. The Vegetarian Society UK, to promote Vegetarianism. Nitin has actively encouraged the formation of vegetarian societies in other countries including India, Kenya, Mauritius and Lisbon
www.indian-vegetarians.org

 

Namdhari Sikh Organisation
The Namdharis are a body of puritan Sikhs who distinguish themselves by their simple, noble and dignified appearance of spotlessly white attire. The Namdharis Sikhs follow the ideology and tenets of Sikh Gurus and the Holy scripture Granth Sahibji in letter and spirit. The path of light shown by Guru Nanak Devji, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy, (i.e. Nam Japo - Meditate on the True Name, Kirat Karo - Earn thy living, and Vand Chako - Share thy wealth) is truly manifest in the Namdhari way of life. The fundamental core of Namdhari Sikhs religious life is Naam Simran (Meditating the name of God) and the very word Namdhari literally translated means a ‘Sikh who has adopted God’s Name in his/her life'.

 

National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) UK
Celebrating its fifteen-year anniversary in 2006, NHSF is one of the largest Hindu Student Organisation in Europe, and continues to represent the voice of Hindu youth in the UK. Founded in 1991, NHSF aspired to provide for the needs of Hindu students. Although Asian and Indian societies existed, it was felt that the Hindu youth did not really have a platform from which they could air their views and discuss issues that affected them. Thus, NHSF was born to promote Hindu unity and to propagate the eternal relevance of the Hindu way of life. It will continue to build the foundations for a strong and vibrant Hindu community by establishing a youth orientated pro-active agenda. NHSF aims to promote a balanced and diverse range of activities both on a local and national level and continues to tackle issues that affect Hindu youth and the wider Hindu community.
www.nhsf.org.uk

 

Pandava Sena (Hare Krishna Youth)
The Pandava Sena is the youth wing of the International society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Established in 1994 in response to the proposed closure of Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hare Krishna temple, UK, the group has developed internationally to spread the Krishna Conscious philosophy to youth throughout London, the Midlands, Crawley, Holland, Eastern Europe, Africa and the USA. Pandava Sena practices and promotes an alternative way of life, based on simple living and high thinking, through devotion to Lord Krishna. Members come from all races and religions to present a spiritual process, recommended by Vedic authorities as the most sublime means of reviving our original spiritual consciousness in this age. Pandava Sena activities focus largely on interaction. There are weekly and fortnightly 'Jammin' sessions all over the country, Interactive Sunday night discussions at Hare Krishna temples, local sadhana groups, and Krishna Conscious societies in universities. Large festivals all over the world see the Pandava Sena presenting Vedic philosophy through music, meditation, drama, dance, and vegetarian cooking.
www.pandavasena.com

 

Rajput Samaj
This youth group was established in 1975 as a charitable organisation to bring together the Rajput community settled in the UK. The Rajput Samaj's main objective is to promote and advance the traditions Rajput values, culture, religion and education, and to preserve the Rajput heritage, customs and practices for future generations. The Rajput community in the U.K. mainly consists of families emigrated from India and Africa. In comparison to other Indian communities, the Rajputs are quite few in numbers in the U.K, although the number has gradually increased over the years. Primary concentration of the community is in London and the surrounding areas, with a few families in areas such as Leicester, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester.
www.RajputSamaj.co.uk

 

Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre
The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre was started in London by Swami Ghanananda in November 1948. The Centre moved in 1977 to Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. It is currently headed by Swami Dayatmananda who delivers public lectures on Vedanta, Yoga, Indian Philosophy and Psychology, Comparative Religion, and allied subjects on Sunday afternoons at Bourne End and at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna and other great teachers are celebrated at the Centre. There is a shrine with a meditation room which devotees may use and where morning and evening services are held.
www.vedantauk.com

 

Sathya Sai Organisations (Medical Group)
The Sri Sathya Sai Service Organisation a spiritual organisation, which does not recognise any distinction or separateness on the basis of religion, caste, colour or creed. Sai organisations are based on the principle teachings of Sai Baba, who at the young age of fourteen set out on a mission to demonstrate and teach the highest principles of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence. At forefront of the Sai Baba devotee’s spiritual development is the practice of seva. Inspired by the teaching of Sai Baba, the organisation has established in a number of key projects across the world e.g. educational services, water projects, medical services etc. 
www.srisathyasai.org.uk/2003/HTML/5_Organisation/wings.htm

 

Shree Kutch Leva Patel (SKLP) Youth
The SKLP Community aims to “enhance the quality of life through education, culture, social and sports activities and instil values that will benefit the community.” The community is involved in organising Saturday school services for the youth, sports tournaments and regular festival and social events to encourage community interaction through which the youth can gain a better awareness of community traditions and practices. www.sklpconline.co.uk

 

Shree Muktajeevan Youth Association (Golders Green Swaminarayan Temple youth)
The Shree Muktajeevan Youth Association was established in 1983 to promote the teachings of the Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal (SSSSM) to the younger generations of the sabha. The SMYA run Gujarati and religious classes to help the children of the Mandir understand the principles of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi. The Swamibapa Cricket Club was formed in 1983 to encourage fair play and teamwork. On a annual basis a Ladies' Open day is held where the young girls of the Mandir arrange and perform dances to kirtan. The Mandir also founded and maintains Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band, which performs on the main celebrations of the Sanstha and at public events at public events.
www.swaminarayangadi.com/events/2000/london/history.htm

 

Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden Youth
The Academy has been running since October 1997 and has organised sports and cultural activities every Friday between 7pm and 9pm. The Academy is run in the wedding hall above the Temple by volunteers most of which have First Aid training. The sports activities include football, pool, basketball, table tennis, darts, board games, relay, kabadi, and table air hockey. The youths also spend much of their time discussing religious issues.
www.shreeswaminarayan.org.uk

 

Shri Sathya Sai School Of Harrow
This school is currently considered the largest weekend School with 450 students from age 4 to 14 years. This is an institution for children where every opportunity is given to them to appreciate their heritage, respect all faiths and imbibe the Human Values. It is a free school served by a dedicated team of teachers and parent volunteers. The school operates on Saturday mornings, (term time only) from Stanburn School in Middlesex. After the age of 14, the students then form part of the Youth Wing.
www.saischool.com

 

Swaminarayan Hindu Mission (BAPS) Youth
The Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a socio-spiritual organisation with its roots in the Vedas, was revealed by Lord Swaminarayan in the late 18th Century and established in 1907 AD by Swami Yagnapurushdas. Founded on the pillars of practical spirituality, it reaches out far and wide to clear the confusions and questions that crowd the moral, social and material world of today. The Sanstha strives to better the world by consolidating character in societies, families and individuals. This is done not just by mottos and slogans but by mass motivation and individual attention, through elevating projects for all, irrespective of class, creed, colour and country.
www.swaminarayan-baps.org.uk



Tamil Association of Brent
This is a voluntary organisation designed to meet the social and cultural needs of the Tamil Community. A group of Tamils from Brent decided to celebrate the Tamil New Year Celebration, to keep up with their culture and tradition back in Sri Lanka. The first celebration was held in Willesden in April 1980 and the Tamil Association of Brent was born. This is the first and oldest Tamil organisation in UK planning its Silver Jubilee Celebration in 2004.

 

Venkateshwar Balaji Temple Youth (Tividale, Birmingham)
This is the first Temple in Europe for Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). The core building of the temple site was completed in 2001. The temple community continues its work to fund other key sites that will help serve community needs. The youth wing has been running for over ten years and has grown in strength and character. The varied activities include the annual summer camp held every July/August, the enjoyable winter camp held in December, and the Youth group's mouthpiece magazine "Govinda". The group is also involved in activities surrounding the construction of the new Temple like 'Sacred Land Project' and the 'Tree Planting Day.'
www.venkateswara.org.uk/home.htm

 

Vivekananda Centre London
The Vivekananda Centre, London, is a non-commercial and a non-sectarian body involved in educational activities promoting Hinduism. The Centre operates a very popular site for Schools, which is used extensively by many English youngsters. The centre’s activities include promoting Hindu values, conducting school assemblies and RE seminars at Colleges in the UK, teaching GCSE and A-level Hinduism, working within Interfaith organisations, media participation, and creating exhibitions and performing plays depicting the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. The centre represents the Hindu representatives at the local Standing Committee for Religious Education (SACRE).
www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk



Wimbledon Shree Ghanapathy Temple Youth
In 1979, a few Sri Lankan Hindu Saivite families, living in and around Wimbledon, began to meet together at a local hall to worship Lord Ghanapathy. In 1980, one of the families found and bought a property in Wimbledon and offered it for community worship, and thus the Shree Ghanapathy Temple was born. Every year, over 3000 children and teachers from local schools visit the Temple to learn about Hinduism, about our customs and traditions, and to dispel any fears or misconceptions they might have about us and our faith.
www.ghanapathytemple.org.uk