Seeking to encourage Hindus to become active in Britain's local politics, a unique programme has been launched in which 10 young people from the community will 'shadow' one United Kingdom lawmaker each for six months.
The 'shadowing' involves first-hand experience on how lawmakers from the three main parties- Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat - work in their constituency and in Westminster.
The Parliamentary Experience Programme lauched Wednesday night by the Hindu Forum of Britain seeks to address the current lack of representation of Hindus in decision-making process. It will encourage and nurture carefully selected Hindu youth to be mentored and trained by British parliamentarians. Currently, only two of the 646 British MPs are Hindus.
"The programme would provide a rare opportunity to see what politicians do everyday, experience Westminster life and provide talented Hindus a platform to become active in British politics," the Hindu Forum's secretary- general Ramesh Kallidai said. "More importantly it will improve the political representation of Hindu community in local and national politics."
British Minister of State for Immigration Tony McNulty, India's Deputy High Commissioner Ranjan Mathai and Deputy leader of Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Lord Navnit Dholakia were also present at the launch.