GET CONNECTED 2002 - BIRMINGHAM
Saturday 16th November 2002, 10am - 8pm
Centenary Square & REP Theatre
Broad St, Birmingham, B1 2EP
(Opposite the Hyatt Hotel & next to International Convention Centre)
Contact: 07970-491779 / 07814-009693
www.hinduyouthuk.org

For those who missed the 'Get Connected' Diwali Extravaganza, at Alexandra Palace in London, here is another chance. This time the 'Get Connected' initiative moves north to Birmingham for a similar event at Rep Theatre and Centenary Square in the centre of this West Midlands hub.

Described by Lonely Planet as a "thriving convoluted cosmology", India is eighty percent Hindu. With a population exceeding 1 billion, this means that there are 800 million Hindus in India alone, making it the world's largest religion. The UK's Hindu population is a mere drop in the ocean in comparison, but all agree that Hinduism with its myriad of deities, dramatic religious texts like the Bhagavad Gita and mythology portrayed through tales like The Ramayana and The Mahabharata needs demystification. By inviting visitors to sample the culture through its food, henna body art, yoga, music and dance, the Hindu Youth Groups hope to persuade others to take a renewed interest in their heritage.

Neeraj Nathwani a youth participant commented, "Culture and religion can be quite difficult subjects to understand so it has been refreshing to see them delivered in such a modern and contemporary way. The 'Get Connected' ethos provides a platform for us to voice our opinions on issues and challenges of common concern. It has certainly helped me to work out what it means to be a young Hindu in Britain today".

As per the Preston & London events held earlier this year, this is first attempt by Hindu Youth UK at such an ambitious project in offering a young Hindus a platform to: Discover an Identity - in a non-sectarian / non-political environment, Get Connected - for various groups to share Indian Culture with youth of all backgrounds and To Serve - this entire project has been an amazing effort of voluntary service.

Programme of Events

Centenary Square:

• - Live Stage Acts throughout the day
• - Food stalls
• - Diwali Shop
• - Careers Fair

REP Theatre:

• - Kids Zone: Storytelling - Dance Classes - Cartoons - Games
• - Culture Zone: Rangoli - Mehndi - Art - Music - Dance - Film
• - Health & Vitality: Ayurveda - Yoga - Health Promotion - Vastu Shastra
• - Chat: Discussions - Workshops - Debates - Talks - Confusions - Solutions
• - Colourful exhibition of posters on Spirituality and Indian Culture

Click here to read our review of the Get Connected Diwali Extravaganza 2002 at Alexandra Palace.
Click here to view the Diwali Extravaganza Image Gallery.
Click here to read the list of participants.
Click here to read our 'Lonely Planet' profile on India.
Click here to visit the Hindu Youth UK website.