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WORLD  Shaunaka Rishi In The Press FROM INDIA ABROAD DAILY USA, Apr 4 (VNN) — UK project to record impressions and experiences of Hindus in Britain London - March 28, 2001 11:35 Hrs (IST) A study center here has launched a project that will record the impressions and experiences of Hindus in Britain, especially older generations. "The project -- 'Life of Hindus in Britain -- will mark the beginning of an important process of documenting that which makes pluralistic United Kingdom a multi-ethnic and multi- cultural democracy," Indian High Commissioner in Britain Nareshwar Dayal said at the launch at India House Tuesday. The project, established by Oxford Center for Vaishnava and Hindu Studies (OCVHS), would be a reference point for future studies by scholars and for the community, he said. "The experiences of the people who came here to find a home away from their homes are an integral part of the achievements and aspirations, destiny and development of the contemporary British society," Dayal said. Liberal democrat Lord Addington said the project would give an opportunity to the younger generation of Indian youth who want to gain deeper understanding of their religious and cultural heritage. "This will enable them to consider vocations as representatives of their community, enabling them to convey their community's concerns, culture and values with sensitivity and accuracy," he said. The project aims to capture stories of first generation Hindus in Britain and record them for posterity. It involves interviewing leaders and elders from the Hindu Britons. "This is a vital means by which Hindus, and especially the Hindu youth, can learn about themselves and their community. It is a chance for them to engage with their own history, explore issues of identity and begin to interpret their tradition," OCVHS director and project manager Shaunaka Rishi Das said. Kim Knott of Leeds University, who is the project's research coordinator, said her extensive work on the Hindu community in England encouraged her to establish an archive for scholars, researchers and members of the community. "I am delighted that the OCVHS is undertaking such a project. There is a danger that a significant portion of history may be lost forever, if we fail to record the recollections and contributions made," Lord Dholakia, a member of the center's patrons board said. A major portion of the project is being funded by a grant of 86,200 pound from the heritage lottery fund (HLF). Expressing gratitude to the heritage lottery fund for the generous grant, chair of the OCVHS Library and Archive Committee Dr Gillian Evison said "The recollections of British Hindus will be valuable in recording the changing face of Hinduism." There are an estimated 400,000 Hindus in Britain. The majority of these people hailed from Gujarat and arrived here from Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. Source: http://www.indiaabroaddaily.com/2001/03/28/28hindus.html  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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