The Edinburgh and West Lothian Branches of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) proudly celebrated UK Parliament Week with an engaging and interactive programme that brought together more than 44 participants, including children, young people, and adults from the local community.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK), commonly known as HSS (UK), is a voluntary cultural and educational organisation that promotes the values of Hindu philosophy, community service, leadership development, and family wellbeing across the United Kingdom. Through regular activities and events, HSS (UK) encourages active citizenship while helping communities stay connected to the rich heritage of Hindu and Indian culture.

The event was honoured by the presence of Scott Arthur, whose encouragement and thoughtful insights greatly enriched the programme and inspired participants to engage more deeply with democratic processes.

As part of the session, young participants took part in a mock parliamentary exercise designed to simulate the functioning of parliamentary debate and decision-making. Participants were divided into two groups representing opposing sides of a parliamentary discussion and selected the topic: “Should single-use plastic be banned in supermarkets?”

Both groups presented well-structured and balanced arguments in favour of and against the motion, followed by a democratic voting process involving all attendees. The activity encouraged participants to think critically about environmental responsibility, sustainability, and public policy—issues that are increasingly important across the world.

The discussion also reflected values deeply rooted in Hindu and Indian traditions. Respect for nature and environmental balance has long been central to Hindu philosophy. Ancient Indian teachings emphasise the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world, encouraging responsible and sustainable living. Concepts such as caring for the environment, reducing waste, and living in harmony with nature are reflected in many traditional Hindu practices and scriptures.

Scott Arthur praised the depth and quality of the discussions and further engaged participants by asking thoughtful follow-up questions that encouraged analytical thinking and respectful debate. His interaction with the young participants highlighted the importance of involving future generations in conversations about civic responsibility and environmental challenges.

In recognition of the initiative, Scott Arthur also tabled Early Day Motion EDM-2409 in the UK Parliament to congratulate the Edinburgh Branch of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) for its participation in UK Parliament Week and for promoting awareness and discussion on the issue of single-use plastics.

The programme demonstrated how community organisations such as HSS (UK) can help foster informed citizenship, leadership skills, and cultural awareness while encouraging constructive engagement with important social and environmental issues facing modern society.