Being a Hindu in the Cardiff, Wales, UK
This is a brief perspective of British Hindus living in Cardiff, Wales. Indian immigration to the UK increased significantly in the 1960s and 1970s mainly doctors immigrating to bear the shortage of doctors. Indians living in Cardiff are the most successful community than any other ethnic community in Wales making them in a capable financial region and influence in many political aspects of Cardiff. Most of them are well-educated, hard working, and unprejudiced and have the advantage of English as their first and second languages.
Most of the Indians are first generation specially doctors. They enjoy in family values, are committed to their children's future, not only in terms of their education but culture. As all expatriates one thing do wretchedness them is about their children's future. How can they be successful, incorporate into the British society and at the same time fill their Hinduness. They are undoubtedly concerned about their Hindu design of life being trampled by pop culture.
Although Hindu adore is generally a private and personal thing it has become community admire for many expatriates that is quite understandable. Many Hindu parents do not have the time to bring their children up in a aged Hindu method as they are concerned about their financial future only to realise later that their children are diverting away from the Hindu religion. Being a Hindu in Cardiff is different than being a Hindu in India. Indians are surrounded by a sea of religion in India hence there is no need to cling on to it. All Hindu parents want their children to gain ties with their families befriend in India, learn Hindi and the Hindu procedure of life. Hence to hold this Indian culture and religion several temples and societies have sprung up. One such organization is the "India centre" with integrated "Wales Hindu society".
Some of the activities carried out by the India centre is spiritual talks by invited spiritual leaders or gurus, cultural programs such Garba (space Gujarati dance), celebrating festivals (Holi, Durga puja, Deewali, etc) yoga and meditation, 50+ activities and Hindi classes. Although such activities are aimed at preserving the dharma for the first generation, it helps to incorporate the teachings in the second generation and stimulate bonds with fellow Hindus.
