The British Royal Navy appoints its first-ever Hindu chaplain

Britain’s Royal Navy has appointed a Hindu chaplain for the first time. 39-year-old Bhanu Attri is an experienced Hindu priest and has had a long experience managing a temple in London. Mr. Bhanu Attri is originally from Himachal Pradesh, India, although he currently lives in Essex, UK.

London: In a historic move, Britain's Royal Navy has appointed a Hindu chaplain for the first time. This position will give him the opportunity to provide spiritual support and guidance to naval officers and personnel based on the principles of Hinduism. Mr. Bhanu Attri, who has been selected for this role, hails from Himachal Pradesh, India, although he currently lives in Essex, UK.

Why was Bhanu Attri appointed?

39-year-old Bhanu Attri is an experienced Hindu priest and has had a long experience managing a temple in London. His appointment is being seen as an important achievement of the British Navy's commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Attri has described this appointment as a "deep honor." He said that as a Hindu raised in India, this opportunity to represent people of diverse religions brings meaningful representation to the Hindu community.

How did Bhanu Attri get his role as chaplain?

To prepare for this role, Attri completed a rigorous training similar to other naval cadets. He completed 29 weeks of demanding 'Initial Officer Training' at the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC).

The training included subjects such as leadership, naval history, seafaring, survival skills, and teamwork. It also included spending four weeks at sea on the HMS Iron Duke warship and three weeks of special training focusing on the role of a military chaplain. A formal passing-out ceremony was held at the end of the training.

The role of the Hindu Council UK

Attri was proposed for the post by the Hindu Council UK (HCUK). His selection was based on criteria such as physical and mental health, academic qualifications in Hindu scriptures, leadership experience, understanding of interfaith relations, and integration into British culture.

Anil Bhanot, a Hindu advisor to the MoD, hoped that the appointment would inspire young British Hindus to pursue a career in the military. He said that even though our spiritual land (bhumi) is India, our karmabhoomi (land of karma) is the United Kingdom.

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