How do you set up a student society from scratch? Our Y2 medical students outline how they created the newly-established Edinburgh Hindu Society.
Namaste!
We are a group of Y2 medical students who have had the privilege of helping establish the newly-formed Hindu Society at the University of Edinburgh.
As first-year students joining the university, we were excited to make the most of the various societies and events on offer. However, we were surprised by the lack of a Hindu society – a safe space to celebrate our festivals, engage with our culture and understand our identity.
Instead of accepting this absence, we decided to be the change we wanted to see. After assembling our core team, collaborating with EUSA and completing the necessary paperwork, we officially launched our society in March 2023.
Sense of belonging
Our vision was to ensure that like-minded people could connect through this society, creating a sense of belonging whilst developing spirituality. We wanted to help students engage with Hindu beliefs and traditions, promote unity and involve in Sewa – selfless volunteering for the local community.
While balancing society commitments with our medical studies has certainly been a challenge, it has definitely enriched the journey so far. Not only have we developed our organisational capabilities and teamwork, we have gained a greater sense of fulfillment. With regular sessions now occurring every week and exciting events on the horizon, we extend a warm welcome for everyone to join in!
At the core of our ethos is the universal Sanskrit phrase “vasudhaiva kutumbakam”, meaning “the world is one family”. Whether you’re a practising Hindu or are simply curious about the world’s oldest faith, you’ll be welcome to delve deeper into ancient philosophies or enjoy our festivities.
For further information, follow our Instagram page and check out our EUSA website. Looking forward to seeing you soon…
Dhanyavaad, Anish, Arushi, Neeha, Sowmi
Edinburgh Hindu Society on Instagram
Edinburgh Hindu Society EUSA page
