REPRESENTATION AND CONVERSATION | PG 6

S I K H S O C I E T Y

I am so grateful to be writing in the Veseyan on behalf of the Sikh society, which by the blessings of Vaheguru Ji (Sikh name for the 1 Eternal Being ‘God’), was founded this year. The purpose of this association is to bring together the School Sikh community to empower our beliefs and spread awareness and education to Sikhs and non-Sikhs about the Sikh way of life and its spiritual teachings started by Guru Nanak Dev JI.

The numbers of attendees have varied but the sessions of discussions and quizzes have been interactive, interesting and top quality. We have done many quizzes and talks on topics like the Guru Sahibs, Sikh History and the Beliefs in the Faith. Being reasonably new to this faith, I have learned a lot from those who have come to the sessions and shared their knowledge. I hope to be able to continue this service and enlighten others with the Wisdom of Sikhi (and learn more myself) and for many people to understand what the Sikh Gurus teach and did in their lives.

HARISH DADRAL, L6

I S L A M I C P R A Y E R S

The Friday Prayers have been running smoothly this term, all thanks to Ms Wadeson, the physics technician, who gives her time and effort every week to help. These prayers have been led by a range of students in the Lower Sixth and Year 11, including Afeef Malik, Abdunnur Tarique, Rayyan Shaikh, Uzair Zahir and Yusuf Hussain, all of whom have delivered confident and well-spoken speeches as well as beautifully recited Arabic. The sermons covered a range of relevant and eyeopening topics, including honouring your parents, being grateful to God and having the best of manners. The turnout has been excellent throughout, some weeks topping over 50 students gathered for the prayers. Going forward we hope to improve the structure of the system in order to pave the ways for the years to come.

SULEMAN AHMED, L6

"The most important serious humanity has had to face up to. ” This is how Professor Patricia Thornley from Aston University began her lecture to the Lower Sixth here at BVGS on November 8th.

It was a really important lecture. The future of our planet was at that very moment being discussed at the United Nations climate change conference, COP 26, in Glasgow. Professor Thornley had contributed to the conference and was able to share some key insights with students:

A just transition Scaling up the science What can we do?

A just transition

Professor Thornley made the point very clearly. A just transition is about moving to an environmentally sustainable economy without leaving workers in polluting industries behind.

Scaling up the science

Vesey scientists of the future, take note! The future is

‘ green ’ and as scientists we have to find solutions to the climate crisis, which can then be scaled up the benefit of humanity. Professor Thornley shared with us a project she has been working on in the Philippines. Every year at the end of the rice harvest, the rice straw is burnt by local farmers. How could that agricultural routine be converted into an environmental benefit for communities? So Professor Thornley developed a biogas rice straw pilot delivering energy access to a poor community at low cost and with environmental benefit.

What can we do?

We need to understand our own carbon footprint. Take the questionnaire by visiting: footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

At home, we need to eat less meat and we need to light and heat our homes more efficiently.

In terms of travel, we need to walk and cycle and use public transport more. We need to wean ourselves off our dependence on cars.

We need to be more ethically responsible in our shopping, our waste management and our banking choices.

Importantly, it is a very sad fact that it is the young, whose future is being betrayed by the consequences of the irresponsible actions of older and past generations.

So the young must use their voice to advocate for change.

HOW BIG IS YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT?

Take the questionnaire