Hindus who complain a bit too much

Namaste,

Sheena Patel published this article Hindus who complain a bit too much on Hindu Voice UK, in which she criticizes efforts by Hindus to protest trivial issues.

Here is my response, as posted to the discussion forum:
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I agree that some issues are not worth pursuing: for example, it was better to let “The Love Guru” die a natural death.

While I don’t agree with the tactics of Hindu Jagruti Samiti, I do agree with the objections to the crude portrayals of Hindu goddesses by painter (and sensationalist) M.F. Hussain. The New York Times published an article about M.F. Hussain, but treated Hindu objections as being puritanical about nudity. The Hindu American Foundation sought a response, but didn’t get any. The sad part is that the NYT article was written by an Indian with a Hindu name [Somini Sengupta].

I agree with Koenraad Elst’s comments, but I think that the rubric “fascist” comes from journalists and writers who apparently take their cue from Indian journalists and scholars who negatively label any Hindu group that’s the least bit assertive: for example, calling the RSS “chauvinistic.” Wendy Doniger is a good example: I’m reading her latest book The Hindus: An Alternative History, which features these labels.
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ADDENDUM: I recommend Dr. Elst's article Hindu Studies: Warring with Words, as published in the July/August/September 2009 issue of Hinduism Today, as a guide for journalists and writers in covering Hinduism.

A tribute to Indian Independence Day

A.R. Rahman assembled India's pre-eminent instrumentalists and vocalists, but this little child blows his overwrought production out of the water.

How I came to love Indian classical music

When my brother-in-law and family visited the U.S. in 1995, he came back from California and brought back Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt's Saradamani CD from Waterlily Acoustics as a gift for me. Through that CD, I developed a fondness for Indian classical music, and have since seen many of the luminaries of Indian classical music perform in concert.


The Bahu of Bengal (R) with Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

I was thrilled to tell Pt. Bhatt that I was introduced to Indian classical music through his CD and developed a real love for it.

Durga Temple hosts first ever Hinduism Meet in North America

Published at the request of Rajan Joshi of the Forum for Hindu Awakening:

Ashadh Krushna Ekadashi, 5011

July 18, 2009

The first ever Hinduism Meet in North America was held by the Forum for Hindu Awakening at the Durga Temple of Virginia, near Washington DC today. The aim of the Meet was to promote an understanding of the unique spiritual science and scienti­fic history underlying Hinduism, awaken to the misconceptions about Hinduism, demonstrate living simple practices and concepts of Hinduism in day-to-day life, preserve the sanctity of Hinduism from denigration and malpractices.

This historic event was inaugurated as per Hindu tradition by the blowing of the conch, recitation of auspicious verses, lighting of an oil lamp and recitation of Vedic mantras. The spiritual science behind all these actions was explained to the attendees.


Reston resident Bhavna Shinde observes the lighting of the wick lamp ... at the Forum for Hindu Awakening at the Durga Temple in Fairfax Station - Fairfax County Times

The unique feature of this Hinduism Meet was that it was broadcast live over the Internet. Hence, besides the 100 people who attended in person, over 250 people from around the world could attend it by watching the live broadcast.

The Hinduism Meet had the presence and blessings of many note-worthy people from various religious organisations. The media was also represented by the presence of members of Press from a local newspaper, an online radio station, an Indian newspaper and a TV station.

At the Meet, Dr. Siva Subramaniam, founding member of the Shiva-Vishnu temple, honored the speakers by presenting them Sanatan Sanstha’s Video CDs on the unique science behind Hinduism and spiritual practice, and the ‘Vishwa Hindu Ratna’ (Hindu Gem of the world) award. This award was presented to the speakers for their selfless and dedicated efforts for the cause of Hinduism.

There were thought provoking speeches, Powerpoint presentations and videos on maintaining a Hindu identity, Hindu practices like visiting a temple, the spiritual science underlying them, preserving various challenges faced by Hinduism today such as the threats to the existence of the ancient Rama Sethu bridge between India and Sri Lanka, denigration of Hindu Deities and Saints, and so on.

Rajan Zed, the acclaimed Hindu Statesman, spoke on how to be a good Hindu in the West and interfaith relations. Dr. M. G. Prasad, an active proponent of Hinduism spoke about the multi faceted Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma). Dr. Kusum Vyas, the founder and coordinator of the international Save Rama Sethu Campaign spoke on Ramsethu: the challenges and accomplishments. Maya Jairam of the Spiritual Science Research Foundation shared about the role of the spiritual dimension and Saints in all aspects of life. Dewang Gadoya of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti spoke on knowing and peacefully protesting denigration of Hinduism concepts and symbols. Bhavna Shinde of the Forum for Hindu Awakening spoke on how to understand, live and preserve Hinduism in today’s busy times.

The Meet concluded with the singing of an aarati (Hindu devotional hymn) and note of thanks to everyone that helped in organising the Meet. During the aarati many attendees had the spiritual experience of spontaneous tears.

The Forum for Hindu Awakening is considering holding such Hinduism Meets in other parts of USA during the course of the year, to propagate the understanding, living and preserving of the spiritual science behind Hinduism concepts and practices. Visit www.forumforhinduawakening.org for more information.

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