Look Forward !!

 

There are many pro-India, pro-Hindu groups that harken to a "golden age" when India was ruled by Hindu kings, when its traders reached Rome, its philosophy was welcomed in Afghanistan & Burma and its wealth was legendary.  Many talk of returning to this golden age by doing xyz and how wonderful it would if this was possible !

Why look backwards ?

Hinduism went all the way up to Angkor Vat in Cambodia and Ghandar in Afghanistan.  Buddhism, as a by-product of India, went all the way to Japan, Mongolia and well beyond ancient Persia !  Currently, Hinduism is spread across the globe.  You can hear the Hare Krishna manta being changed in streets of Sydney and Cuzco.  Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism have made their mark in every country you can think of.

Why look backwards ?

Hindus need to look forward and see how we can bring our sense of balance and plurality to benefit the world !  Our flexible approach to life means that within a single family there may be multiple creeds being followed and yet no one gets in the way of the other.  We have carried this into the public and national sphere.  We need to take it further and spread it to the world.  Tall order, but something worth aiming for !

Why look backwards ?

Indians who have moved out of India have done a far better job of retaining their culture than those back home.  Indian children outside India go to language and culture classes more than those living in India.  In India, there a definite craze for sending children to �convent schools� and making sure they "speak like the British" rather than "sing-song accent of the Indians".  It's a shame that in some of these "English" / "convent schools", children are actually punished for speaking in their native tongue !!  Trust me, those Indians outside India are far more "aware" of their Indianess than those inside India.

Why look backwards ?

Islam or Christianity is only using the past as a compass and looking forward to world domination.  It doesn't matter who wins this battle � Islam or Christianity, neither will let Hinduism live in peace.  Missionaries of both religions are out to convert Hindus at any cost.  Media and foreign governments often assist these missionaries in their goal of conversion.

Why look backwards ?

We need to make sure our religious philosophy is represented and taught by our people to Hindus and non-Hindus in universities around the world.  No one would expect a non-Christian or a non-Muslim to teach those subjects at university, so why should a non-Hindu teach Hinduism ?  We have to insist on a chair of Hinduism at all major universities.  We have to expose so called intellectuals in India, and outside, who take pleasure in denigrating our culture and religion.

Why look backwards ?

We have to insist on creating a Hindu forum that can interact with local politicians and help formulate Hindu friendly laws in whichever nation we happen to be.  Politics rules the lives of people.  Laws, rules, regulations, taxation, finance, its all ruled by the government.  We as Hindus need to wake up to this and be part of the political system that rules our lives.

Why look backwards ?

We have to look forward by first voting in Hindu friendly government in India itself !  Currently we live in a country where the government and its policies are anti-Hindu.  We live in a country where our temples and their income are pilfered by the government.  Where our deva-dhan � religious charity money � is confiscated by the government and used to subsidise the Haj and trips to Holy Land !! 

Why look backwards ?

Waves of invasions have destroyed much of our physical link to the past.  In India today, there is no archaeology project to help substantiate our history.  What little remains untouched by the invaders, is being destroyed by negligence and design.  The Rama-setu for example is threatened with destruction and no one cares enough to protest.  Our history books denigrate our glorious kingdoms of Vijayanagar or Marathas, Baroda or Gwalior.  We have no idea of our own struggle which helped us survive 1000 years of foreign rule.  Hindus need to awaken and be aware of how we are being broken up in our own country !

Why look backwards ?

Look forward and plan for a resurgent Hinduism that is capable of taking on its enemies and fighting for its own place in the sun by right � rather than charity of others !

To go forward, you have to look forward !!
Hindus, Indians, look forward !

 

 

� Bhagwat    [email protected]

 

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