enue: Parliament, House of Commons, Committee Room 16, Westminster, London
Date: Monday, 3rd November 2025 Time: 2:00 PM — 4.00 PM
Executive Summary
The inaugural Hindu NHS Network Launch was successfully hosted in the House of Commons on 3rd November 2025. The event marked a historic moment, bringing Hindu values of compassion, wellness, service and cultural dignity into the mainstream Hindu Nework framework. The event brought together leaders, clinicians and change makers to discuss how we can better support the 1.2 million Hindus in the UK — including the 10.1 % of nurses and 8% of doctors who identify as Hindu, and ensure that both staff and patients feel seen, understood and supported.
The ceremony was attended by Members of Parliament, NHS leaders, clinical professionals, community representatives, Hindu spiritual leaders, researchers and cultural contributors. Founders and Co-Convenors of Hindu NHS Network Professor Rajeev Gupta and Ravi Bhanot MBE were pleased as the committee room was full and there was enthusiasm in attendees about the launch of HNN. The Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP, delivered an inspiring keynote address acknowledging the needs of the community and support for this collaboration. Many other dignitaries including
Baroness Sandip Verma, Lord Rami Ranger, Mr. Virendra Sharma addressed the gathering and supported the initiative and offered commitment for the Hindu NHS Network.
The programme ran smoothly, received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and laid a strong foundation for collaborative growth between the Hindu community and the NHS, particularly in areas of equality, cultural support, chaplaincy, wellbeing, research, and community-based prevention and health promotion. There was live Sitar and Tabla playing to build the ambience in the committee room as the guests were arriving.
For details please contact admin@hinduNHs.net
The event commenced with a warm welcome by Mr Jas Athwal, MP, who highlighted the meaningful role of cultural identity and spirituality in supporting staff wellbeing and patient dignity in the NHS. He applauded the initiative as a landmark platform for Hindu healthcare professionals and NHS users nationwide. He even gave example of his daughter who is a doctor and has witnessed racism in hospital.
Lord Ganesha is considered to remove all obstacles in Hindu Culture.
Classical dance artist Devika Rao performed a graceful Ganesh Vandana,
invoking blessings for wisdom and success along with Padam Shri ..Pawar MBE.
Mr. Abhishek Vyas and Mr. Mohit Chaturvedi provided a live demonstration of the Network’s digital platform and membership process.
Professor Rajeev Gupta delivered a compelling presentation outlining the Hindu NHS Network vision, mission and priority work streams. He explained how Hindu doctors, nurses, allied health professionals have not been confident of displaying their Hindu Identity and how Hindu patients have suffered due to lack of support for the Satvik vegetarian food and of the end-of-life care that they deserve.
He explained the value of HNN in
✔ Hindu Chaplaincy & Spiritual Support
✔ Cultural dignity & vegetarian/Sattvic food awareness
✔ Welfare and psychological support for NHS staff
✔ Public health, prevention & yoga-Ayurveda knowledge sharing
✔ Cultural festival support, including Diwali across NHS trusts
✔ Research programme and academic partnerships
The message of unity, wellbeing, compassionate service and cultural pride
resonated strongly with attendees.
The Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP,
delivered an inspiring keynote address, acknowledging the significant contribution of
the Hindu community to the NHS workforce and the importance of inclusive faith-
based support structures. He emphasised:
- Respect for cultural identity in healthcare
- The contribution of Hindu staff to NHS resilience and excellence
- Opportunities for partnership on mental health, prevention, and community
wellbeing
He was given a memorandum by Prof Rajeev Gupta and Ravi Bhanot MBE who are founders and Co-Convenors of the Hindu NHS network. The memorandum explains how the collaboration of Hindu NHS Network and Department of Health and Social Welfare will help mutual aims of better confident and supported staff and patients in the NHS and better community involvement for preventive care. He also lighted the lamp along with other dignitaries including Baroness Sandip
Verma, Lord Rami Ranger, Virender Sharma Ex MP, Jas Athwal to start the journey of Hindu NHS Network.
Mr Streeting was appreciated for his interest and support, and there are plans for follow up to see the progress of collaboration and the support.
There were presentations from the work streams of the Hindu NHS network about the work done and future plan.
Mr Surinder Gautam explained about the Hindu Chaplaincy Training & Certification Programme on behalf of Prof Nawal Prinja, emphasising structured pathways for spiritual support in NHS settings.
Dr. Pawan Gupta presented how she has managed to get the support and funding for Diwali in her NHS Trust and the plan for ongoing cultural celebrations, community connections and staff wellbeing activities across the NHS.
Dr Rajinder Singh has explained how he has managed to get a place for hindu staff and patients to worship. He is also part of research planned by Hindu NHS Network, particularly focused opportunities for collaborative research on Cultural safety and patient experience, Staff wellbeing and mental health, Health outcomes & spirituality, Yoga, meditation & pain management.
Hindu NHS Network has discussed with several academic institutions who expressed interest in participation.
Mr. Balbindar Singh, in collaboration with St Thomas’ Hospital & Guy’s Hospital, presented a meaningful and artistic depiction of pain management through expressive dance, integrating holistic healing and medical insight. His team has been around to give a boost to the event from art, dance and culture point of view including live performances which was highly appreciated by audience.
Guest Addresses were delivered by distinguished guests.
- Baroness Sandip Verma has been a big supporter of the initiative, offered her full commitment and mentioned that we need to keep involving the leaders in the process. She suggested setting up an All-People Parliamentary Group and that was agreed by other MPs and Lords.
- Lord Rami Ranger is a passionate supporter of Hindu community and was delighted by this initiative of supporting the Hindu patients and staff in the NHS. He gave examples of situations where Hindu people are not given the respect they deserve. He started the first Hindu Ball in the UK and is keen to support this network so that
- Mr. Virendra Sharma that is ever green supporter of hindu community for past 3 decadeds of his tenure as parliamentarian and has openly committed to help in whatever shape of form needed.
Despite of limited time there was a s discussion highly engaged Q&A session, facilitated by Dr. Sunil Gupta, allowed participants to voice ideas, proposals, and personal experiences. The session highlighted strong desire for continued collaboration and growth.
Mr. Ravi Bhanot MBE who has been back bone of the event delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks to all dignitaries, performers, healthcare professionals, volunteers and contributors.
There has been beautiful display of the Indian cultural dance by Mansi and Devika with the support of Balbir and company subsequent to the event.
For details please contact admin@hinduNHs.net
