Young people explore dharma and leadership at Vidya Yatra 2026

Ansar Ahmed Ullah : Around 70 young people gathered in Barkingside, London, on Sunday 6 September for Vidya Yatra 2026, a youth programme combining Dharmic learning, discussion, physical activity and community service.

The day-long event was designed to encourage young people to explore Hindu Dharma while developing confidence, leadership, critical-thinking and public-speaking skills.

The programme opened with a welcome address from organiser Shuchishmita Maitra (Auhona), followed by a recitation from the Bhagavad Gita by Shornil Maitra (Shorgo). A live bhajan and aarti, led by Shantanu Das, Sparshiya Das, Mr Subash Das, Shornil Maitra and Shuchishmita Maitra, brought participants together in prayer.

A series of interactive sessions followed, with young people encouraged to learn through participation rather than simply listening.

In “Who Am I? – Dharmic Edition”, participants explored figures, traditions and festivals including Ram, Hanuman, Saraswati, the Ganga, Holi and Diwali. They researched their significance before presenting their findings, helping to develop confidence and communication skills.

Another activity, “Rishi’s Mystery Box”, challenged participants to identify Dharmic objects through touch and then discuss their meaning and importance within Hindu tradition. The programme also included a Khel and physical activity session led by Mr Bikram Banerjee and Miss Ojasvi Banerjee, allowing participants to take part in energetic and team-based activities. One of the main highlights was the return of guest speaker Mr Dhruv Chhatralia BEM, who also took part in last year’s Vidya Yatra.

Dhruv ji delivered a session encouraging young people to look more deeply at Hindu philosophy and consider not only what they believe, but why. He also spoke to parents about raising the next generation with Dharmic values. His session included the popular “Dharma Courtroom”, in which participants took on the roles of lawyers and debated different philosophical viewpoints, including the question of one God or many Gods. The exercise challenged the young people to construct arguments, consider opposing perspectives and speak confidently before an audience. Each debate concluded with a Dharma verdict from Dhruv ji, linking the discussions to the broader philosophy of Sanatana Dharma.

The theme of applying Dharma to everyday life continued through the Dharma Compass Game. Participants were presented with real-life situations and asked to consider which of four principles — Seva, Satya, Sangha and Shakti could guide their response.

Community service was also placed firmly on the agenda through the Vidya Yatra Council: Charity Force. Young people were asked to identify issues they would like to improve within their community and develop ideas for positive change.

Organisers said they intend to take one of the strongest ideas from the session forward as a future youth-led community seva project, allowing participants to turn their ideas into practical action.

The programme ended with reflections and the collective prayer “Saraswati Namastubhyam”. Participants were then invited to write personal letters to Maa Saraswati, sharing their hopes, aspirations and thoughts about the people they hope to become.

The letters were placed in a Wish Box as a symbol of knowledge, ambition and personal growth and are due to be returned to the participants in the near future. Vidya Yatra 2026 highlighted an approach to Dharmic education centred on participation, questioning and practical application. Rather than focusing solely on learning and memorisation, the programme gave young people opportunities to research, debate, make decisions and develop ideas for serving their community.

The organisers hope the event will leave participants with a lasting message: to remain rooted in Dharma, confident in their identity, open to questioning and learning, and committed to serving the wider community.