CHICAGO,IL - India’s Vice President Venkaiah Naidu renewed Swami Vivekananda’s message to the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 and appealed to the second World Hindu Congress delegates to follow the ideals of the great saint of India. Naidu was delivering the keynote address at the concluding session of the congress, on the eve of the 125th anniversary of the Hindu monk’s exposition of Hinduism to the western world here on Sept 9.
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Swami Vivekananda was the embodiment of Hindu culture. “Let us rededicate ourselves to the thoughts (of Vivekananda) for the greatness of mankind,” Naidu said. Naidu peppered his speech with generous Sanskrit and Telugu quotes. He told the gathering though he was not in politics anymore, he was glad to come to Chicago and felt it was his duty to attend the great event happening in the name of Swami Vivekananda.
Naidu extensively referred to Swami Vivekananda’s epoch-making address, which described Hindu philosophy as “discovering of spiritual well springs” that have sustained the world for many centuries.
The philosophy of tolerance and acceptance of all religions, was an essential part of the timeless, eternal, holistic, integrated and universal world view of Hinduism.
The theme of the World Hindu Congress, “Think collectively, Achieve Valiantly,” was an apt motto, Naidu said.
True nationalism is in the preservation of India’s invaluable heritage, though some may consider the term Hindu as undesirable or untouchable. In this context, Naidu said “We should guard against aberrations in Hinduism.”
“Kanyakumari to Kashmir, India is one nation, irrespective of religion or regions,” he said.
Opening
With a backdrop of a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda, to the traditional clarion sound of the conch, the second World Hindu Conference attended by 2,500 Hindus from 60 countries had a resounding start on Sept 7 at the Westin Lombard York Town Center in Chicago.
With those from spiritual, educational, business, and political walks of life among the invited speakers, the message of Hindus coming together for the common good, with a sense of unity, reverberated the grand hall.
Recognized
The congress recognized four organizations for their outstanding contributions to spreading Hindu philosophy.
The Bochasanwasi Aksharpurshottam Swaminrayan Sanstha (BAPS) was honored for its extreme visual idealism around the world as it built architecturally beautiful mandirs. Chinmaya Mission for explaining the essence of the Gita, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur for making sacred Hindu literature easily accessible, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness for spreading the message of Gita were also honored.
SP Kothari, chair of WHC, said he and many speakers attending the conference received calls and petitions from organizations and individuals to withdraw from the Congress on the ground WHC or some of its organizers are “socially and religiously divisive.” “I categorically reject this supposition,” Kothari said.
Kothari said he welcomed diversity and evolution of thought and believed that two areas will benefit from reform.
The three goals of WHC are “enlighten, reform and advance.” WHC brings enlightenment throughout the world about the Hindu community through spirituality, harmony and inclusiveness, he said.
Speakers
Vice-president of Republic of Suriname Ashwin Adhin said “We, as Hindus, never forsake our mission. Hindus have always been the missionaries of renunciation and service.”
“Much change is needed and we need action,” Adhin said and recalled
Swami Vivekananda’s stirring call, “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Stating that it was a big achievement for a poor Kashmiri Hindu boy to be speaking at the event, award winning actor Anupam Kher saluted “our country India…a place that has been home to all cultures, religions and faiths.
Hinduism is a way of life, he added, and one becomes a Hindu by living like one. Tolerance was the centerpiece of Vivekananda’s message. He stated that despite being refugees in their own country, Kashmiri Pandits have practiced tolerance for 28 years like nobody ever has.
My roots are steeped in Hinduism. I refuse to be defined by other people’s fears. My Hindu teachings and life’s experiences have taught me that there is time for peace and there is time for war. I use war as a metaphor; platforms like this from which I can speak to the world, remind me of my karmic duty. I draw inspiration from Swami Vivekananda to shine a light on all of us gathered here and beyond. As a Hindu, it pains me deeply to see how ignorance and half knowledge are trying to destroy one of the oldest, world’s most peaceful religion.”
Raju Reddy a technology entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, said, Hindu Americans or more broadly Indo Americans today are known as great doctors, academicians, engineers and entrepreneurs, generally successful in different walks of life and their per capital income is twice the national average here in America. It’s a point of pride but it also means we have the capacity to make a positive difference around the world.
Swami Poornatmananda of Bharat Seva Ashram said all Hindus should unite to achieve resurgence. Hindu religious teaching are for humanity. As such, schools and colleges in India should be opened to impart Hindu teachings.
Chinmaya Mission Spiritual Head Swami Swaroopananda said one need not merely state “I am a proud Hindu. We are proud Hindus.”On the resurgence of Hinduism, he said “everything begins at home.” When family breaks down, culture breaks down and life of disharmony follows, Swami Swaroopananda said. “We have to convert Hindus to Hinduism.”Especially, the ecological problems of the world need to be solved, he said. God did not create the world for man’s consumption. The responsibility lies on Hindus to protect the ecology, he said.
Sadguru Dalip Singh of Namdari Panth told the Congress that Hindus and Sikhs can never be separated.
He visualized a Bharatiya organization encompassing Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
Madhu Pandit Dasa, chairperson of Akshaya Patra Foundation, ISKCON, Bangalore, said the different denominations of Hinduism are a strength and not a weakness. There are common grounding principles in these denominations.He drew attention to the declining birth rate among Hindus in India as an aftermath of the one-child family planning program promoted by the Indian government. Other faiths don’t buy into this program and their population is not declining, he said.“Take pride in having more children,” he concluded.
Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy (D-IL) said “Some of my friends and constituents were very concerned about my presence here today…I decided I had to be here because I wanted to reaffirm the highest and only form of Hinduism that I’ve ever known and been taught…namely one that welcomes all people, embraces all people, accepts all people regardless of their faith including all my constituents.”In short, I reaffirm the teachings of Swami Vivekananda…It is because of his legacy of equality and pluralism that I stand before you as a Hindu, as an American and a United States Congressman.”
Don’t Aspire to Dominate: RSS Chief
Asserting that Hindus neither oppose anybody nor aspire to dominate, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sept 8 said the community needs to unite to end its centuries of sufferings.
“We do not have any aspects of dominance. Hindus do not live to oppose anybody. We even allow the pests to live. There are people who may oppose us. You have to tackle them without harming them,” said Bhagwat addressing delegates from across the globe.
“Why are we suffering for 1000 years? We had everything but we forgot to practise values. We also forgot to work together. Hindu society has largest number of meritorious people in many sectors. But they never come together, stay together.
“It is time the Hindu society showcased its oneness to the world and went back to its ancient wisdom and values,” Bhagwat said.
Naidu extensively referred to Swami Vivekananda’s epoch-making address, which described Hindu philosophy as “discovering of spiritual well springs” that have sustained the world for many centuries.
The philosophy of tolerance and acceptance of all religions, was an essential part of the timeless, eternal, holistic, integrated and universal world view of Hinduism.
The theme of the World Hindu Congress, “Think collectively, Achieve Valiantly,” was an apt motto, Naidu said.
True nationalism is in the preservation of India’s invaluable heritage, though some may consider the term Hindu as undesirable or untouchable. In this context, Naidu said “We should guard against aberrations in Hinduism.”
“Kanyakumari to Kashmir, India is one nation, irrespective of religion or regions,” he said.
Opening
With a backdrop of a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda, to the traditional clarion sound of the conch, the second World Hindu Conference attended by 2,500 Hindus from 60 countries had a resounding start on Sept 7 at the Westin Lombard York Town Center in Chicago.
With those from spiritual, educational, business, and political walks of life among the invited speakers, the message of Hindus coming together for the common good, with a sense of unity, reverberated the grand hall.
Recognized
The congress recognized four organizations for their outstanding contributions to spreading Hindu philosophy.
The Bochasanwasi Aksharpurshottam Swaminrayan Sanstha (BAPS) was honored for its extreme visual idealism around the world as it built architecturally beautiful mandirs. Chinmaya Mission for explaining the essence of the Gita, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur for making sacred Hindu literature easily accessible, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness for spreading the message of Gita were also honored.
SP Kothari, chair of WHC, said he and many speakers attending the conference received calls and petitions from organizations and individuals to withdraw from the Congress on the ground WHC or some of its organizers are “socially and religiously divisive.” “I categorically reject this supposition,” Kothari said.
Kothari said he welcomed diversity and evolution of thought and believed that two areas will benefit from reform.
The three goals of WHC are “enlighten, reform and advance.” WHC brings enlightenment throughout the world about the Hindu community through spirituality, harmony and inclusiveness, he said.
Speakers
Vice-president of Republic of Suriname Ashwin Adhin said “We, as Hindus, never forsake our mission. Hindus have always been the missionaries of renunciation and service.”
“Much change is needed and we need action,” Adhin said and recalled
Swami Vivekananda’s stirring call, “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Stating that it was a big achievement for a poor Kashmiri Hindu boy to be speaking at the event, award winning actor Anupam Kher saluted “our country India…a place that has been home to all cultures, religions and faiths.
Hinduism is a way of life, he added, and one becomes a Hindu by living like one. Tolerance was the centerpiece of Vivekananda’s message. He stated that despite being refugees in their own country, Kashmiri Pandits have practiced tolerance for 28 years like nobody ever has.
My roots are steeped in Hinduism. I refuse to be defined by other people’s fears. My Hindu teachings and life’s experiences have taught me that there is time for peace and there is time for war. I use war as a metaphor; platforms like this from which I can speak to the world, remind me of my karmic duty. I draw inspiration from Swami Vivekananda to shine a light on all of us gathered here and beyond. As a Hindu, it pains me deeply to see how ignorance and half knowledge are trying to destroy one of the oldest, world’s most peaceful religion.”
Raju Reddy a technology entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, said, Hindu Americans or more broadly Indo Americans today are known as great doctors, academicians, engineers and entrepreneurs, generally successful in different walks of life and their per capital income is twice the national average here in America. It’s a point of pride but it also means we have the capacity to make a positive difference around the world.
Swami Poornatmananda of Bharat Seva Ashram said all Hindus should unite to achieve resurgence. Hindu religious teaching are for humanity. As such, schools and colleges in India should be opened to impart Hindu teachings.
Chinmaya Mission Spiritual Head Swami Swaroopananda said one need not merely state “I am a proud Hindu. We are proud Hindus.”On the resurgence of Hinduism, he said “everything begins at home.” When family breaks down, culture breaks down and life of disharmony follows, Swami Swaroopananda said. “We have to convert Hindus to Hinduism.”Especially, the ecological problems of the world need to be solved, he said. God did not create the world for man’s consumption. The responsibility lies on Hindus to protect the ecology, he said.
Sadguru Dalip Singh of Namdari Panth told the Congress that Hindus and Sikhs can never be separated.
He visualized a Bharatiya organization encompassing Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.
Madhu Pandit Dasa, chairperson of Akshaya Patra Foundation, ISKCON, Bangalore, said the different denominations of Hinduism are a strength and not a weakness. There are common grounding principles in these denominations.He drew attention to the declining birth rate among Hindus in India as an aftermath of the one-child family planning program promoted by the Indian government. Other faiths don’t buy into this program and their population is not declining, he said.“Take pride in having more children,” he concluded.
Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy (D-IL) said “Some of my friends and constituents were very concerned about my presence here today…I decided I had to be here because I wanted to reaffirm the highest and only form of Hinduism that I’ve ever known and been taught…namely one that welcomes all people, embraces all people, accepts all people regardless of their faith including all my constituents.”In short, I reaffirm the teachings of Swami Vivekananda…It is because of his legacy of equality and pluralism that I stand before you as a Hindu, as an American and a United States Congressman.”
Don’t Aspire to Dominate: RSS Chief
Asserting that Hindus neither oppose anybody nor aspire to dominate, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sept 8 said the community needs to unite to end its centuries of sufferings.
“We do not have any aspects of dominance. Hindus do not live to oppose anybody. We even allow the pests to live. There are people who may oppose us. You have to tackle them without harming them,” said Bhagwat addressing delegates from across the globe.
“Why are we suffering for 1000 years? We had everything but we forgot to practise values. We also forgot to work together. Hindu society has largest number of meritorious people in many sectors. But they never come together, stay together.
“It is time the Hindu society showcased its oneness to the world and went back to its ancient wisdom and values,” Bhagwat said.
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