Aanchal Monga started volunteering at her local British Heart Foundation store in Huddersfield in May 2024 and has found everyone at the store friendly and welcoming.
During a conversation she had with Store Manager, Joe, she shared her favourite Hindu Festival and the reason behind the celebration. Joe says, “As we all know, every day we learn new things and thanks to one of our amazing volunteers I learned about Navratri which is celebrated by a couple of my wonderful Hindu volunteers.”
Aanchal has kindly shared more with us about the festival, and has blogged about what inspires her to help out and her belonging at the BHF.
What do you love about volunteering at BHF?
There are many things I love about volunteering; the main one is that I get to help people and do a respectable job. Another reason is that everyone at the store is so friendly and welcoming which automatically creates a safe atmosphere for a young woman like me to be in.
What makes you feel like you belong at the BHF?
I know, and I am certain that I belong at BHF as when I’m there I feel happy and joyful as I’m making an impact on the world in saving someone’s life by helping people get what they need and add donations.
One thing that inspires me the most in my day-to-day life is a song called ‘man in the mirror’ by Michael Jackson as this song talks about seeing people on the streets with no food or home and us who take the basic things for granted should feel grateful. This is why I love volunteering at BHF as I feel like a good person knowing I’m doing a good deed and helping others in need.
Could you tell us more about your favourite Hindu festival?
Since I was two, I’ve been going to the Hindu temple in Huddersfield where I’ve made many friendships that I still have till this day.
As a young Hindu woman, my favourite festival is Navratri, because during Navratri we celebrate the nine forms of the Goddess Durga – who is someone I look up to. Navratri is a nine-day festival, and each day is dedicated to a form of Goddess Durga, the reason I tell others about this festival is because of how beautiful the religion Hindu is.
To me Hinduism is my identity, and I love being Hindu and to be able to share my favourite festival with others makes me happy. To be able to go to a place where I feel at peace and connect with God is what makes me want to help people and that is exactly what I do at British Heart Foundation. I look up to Goddess Durga as she is an independent woman who fought wars against the enemies and still has the good heart to forgive her enemies, this story is something I carry with me wherever I go – always be nice, even to the people who aren’t nice to you.
That is what my religion, Hinduism is about.
Thank you, Aanchal, for being so open and honest about volunteering and belonging at BHF.