SAMVAD SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN

No. SM-1709/2074 Shravana Shukla 9, Vik.Samvat 2074, Yugabda 5119, 1 August 2017 1. FESTIVALS: MASAM Ramayana Masam: (Karkkidakam Masam: 17 July – cated to Lord 16 August) is an important festival in the state of Ker- Vishnu. ala. It is observed in the month of ‘Karkkidakam’ of Karkkidakam Masam the Malayalam calendar while in the Gregorian calen- is the last month in dar it corresponds to the months of July to August. the Malayalam calen- The Masam is held sacred for Hindus, especially in the dar. Owing to the southern parts of the country. The epic Ramayana heavy rains in the written by saint Valmiki in Sanskrit was translated in month, Karkidakam the Malayalam language by Thunchath Ezhuthachan Masam is also and is known as ‘Adhyatma Ramayana Kilippattu’. known as ‘Panja Masam’ or the period of scarcity. Starting from the first day, every day during the Kark- Several religious and spiritual organisations conduct kidakam Masam, all the members of the house gather, plays, public discourses, recitals and quiz competition after sunset. After lighting the evening lamp, they sit based on Ramayana during this month. close to the ‘Nilavilakku’ or the traditional Hindu devotees actively participate in these events with lamp and narrate the verses of ‘Adhyatma - full enthusiasm. During Ramayana Masam, Hindus un- yana’ (the Malayalam version of Ramayana). The read- dertake pilgrimage to the four temples of Lord Rama, ing of Ramayana is managed in a way that it ends on Lakshmana, and , located in the Kot- the last day of the Karkkidakam Masam. Hindu organi- tayam and Thrissur districts. This ritual is known as zations perform this ritual in almost all temples dedi- ‘Nalambalam Darshanam’.

2. SWAGATAM! SWAGATAM! SHRI RAMNATH KOVIND

SHRI RAMNATH KOVIND has been sworn-in Shri Kovind defeated opposition’s Meira Kumar by as the 14th Rashtrapati of Bharat. His oath was ad- huge margins. Shri Kovind joined the BJP in 1991. He ministered by Mukhya Nyayadhish of Bharat JS Khe- was the Adhyaksha of the BJP Dalit Morcha between har at a ceremonial function in the Parliament House 1998 to 2002. He also served as Rajya Sabha Sadasya on July 25. The oath ceremony from 1994 to 2006. was attended by Rajya Sabha Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind, a Chairman Hamid Ansari, Prad- former Rajyapal of Bihar, was born han Mantri , on 1st October 1945 in Paraukh Mukhya Nyayadhish of Bharat, village in the Kanpur Dehat district Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra of Uttar Pradesh. Only the 2nd Mahajan, Members of Council Dalit leader ever to be elected to of Ministers, Rajyapals, Mukhya the post, Kovind did his graduation Mantris, Heads of Diplomatic in law from a college in Kanpur. Missions, Members of Parlia- Before starting his career as a law- ment and principal Civil and Military Officers of the yer, He cleared the civil services examination but did Bharat Sarkar. not join as he was selected for an allied service. Page 2 \SAMVAD

3. EXCERPTS FROM THE SPEECH BY SHRI RAM NATH KOVIND ON HIS ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AS BHARAT KE RASHTRAPATI

I grew up in a mud house, in a small village. My journey has been a long one, and yet this journey is hardly mine alone. It is so tell- ing of our nation and our society also. For all its problems, it fol- lows that basic mantra given to us in the Preamble to the Consti- tution – of ensuring Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and I will always continue to follow this basic mantra. Our Independence was the result of efforts by thousands of patri- otic freedom fighters led by Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Sardar Patel integrated our nation. For us, those two touchstones can never be separate. They are and must forever be linked. The key to Bharat’s success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. As the gram panchayat must determine our consultative and community based problem solving, the Digital Republic must help us leapfrog developmental mile- The key to stones. These are the twin pillars of our national endeavour. Each citizen of Bharat is a nation builder. Each one of us is a custodian of Bharat’s Bharat ’ s well-being and of the legacy that we will pass on to coming generations. Our endeavours are not for ourselves alone. Down the ages, Bharat has believed in success is the philosophy of VasudhaivaKutumbakam (वसुधैव कुटुबकम्) – the World is My its diversity. Family. Bharat’s voice counts in today’s world. The entire planet is drawn to Bharatiya culture and soft power. The global community looks to us for solutions to Our diversity international problems – whether terrorism, money laundering or climate change. In a globalised world, our responsibilities are also global. is the core We have achieved a lot as a nation, but the effort to do more, to do better and to do faster should be relentless. The citizens of this country are the real source of that makes strength to me. I am confident that they will continue to give me the energy to serve the nation.

4. BEHDIENKHLAM FESTIVAL of the Raij Tuber, one of the most the biggest festi- Tuber village which is 'rots' finely decorated vals in the Jaintia about 25 kilometers from with colourful hues and Hills region con- Jowai. The festival was built with unique designs cluded on July also witnessed by the brought to the 'Bear' with 20 in Shillong Chief Minister of Megha- people dancing accompa- amidst thou- laya Dr. Mukul Sangma nied by drum beats which sands of specta- besides MLAs and MDCs held spectators in awe. tors from across and top district officials. The ritual started early in the state and Members of the Raij Tu- the morning before the outside.Being ber, both young and old, 'rots' were brought to the biggest of its kind, the drawn from various vil- the 'Bear' which includes Tuber Behdienkhlam has lages that falls under the the 'Knia Behkhlam' a under it over 50-60 vil- Raij Tuber brought their ritual where a group of lages. The celebration 'rots' and displayed them people holding rods made was held at the sacred at the sacred place-at of bamboos used these to place called the ‘Bear’ Kmaishnong Tuber. Alto- chase away plague and situated in the heart of gether there were 61 evil spirits. SAMVAD Page 3

5. STRESSES DISCIPLINE SELF– RESTRAINT FOR NAIOAN BUILDING “For any personal and social work or service to the nation - purushartha is important. Bharat is culturally rich, and we all want development. But this is only possible if we all follow a disciplined direction,” said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhag- wat at Acharya Shri Mahashraman Education and Research Foundation in Kolkata on July 23. “I personally feel that one should be disciplined RSS Sarsanghchalak to achieve goals. One should learn the art of self-restraint to build the Shri Mohan Bhagwat ji nation. Above all, we can change the society by following the footsteps of santh (saint),” he added.

6. VIOLENCE OVER COW PROTECTION IS UNACCEPTABLE, MUST PUNISH CONVICT

RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya told reporters in Jammu on July 20 that instead of connecting violence in the name of cow protection, with RSS, action should be taken against those found guilty.Vaidya, who was replying to ques- tions on incidents of lynching and violence linked to cow protection, said "Sangh does not support any kind of violence. We have said it earlier and made it clear earlier Dr.Manmohan Vaidya too". The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) three-day conclave in Jammu ended on 20th July, the first such meet in Jammu and Kashmir since independence, during which issues related to the situation in the state, country and various other topics were discussed. As many as 195 pracharaks (preachers), heads of all allied organisa- tions of RSS and top leaders took part in the conference, in which its chief Mohan Bhagwat, senior leaders Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Dattatreya Hosabale and Krishna Gopal also participated. 7. APJ ABDUL KALAM MEMORIAL INAUGURATED: MODI CALLS FOR DEVELOPED BHARAT BY 2022 AS FITTING TRIBUTE TO KALAM Paying glowing tributes to former Rashtrapati APJ Abdul Kalam, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi has said a fitting tribute to the late leader would be to develop Bharat in all spheres when the country celebrated its 75th independence day in 2022. Addressing a public meeting at Mandapam, near Rameshwaram after dedicating to nation, the memorial of former president APJ Abdul Kalam on July 27, he said Shri Kalam had Shri Kalam had dreamt for a developed Bharat and called upon the youth to resolve to fulfil his dream by 2022. “This will be the fitting tribute to Shri Kalam”, he added. The centre dreamt for a has come out with the start up Bharat and stand up Bharat programmes for the developed younger generation, not to help them to seek employment but make them become entrepreneurs and provide employment to others, he said. Bharat and Stating he missed ‘Amma’ (former Mukhya Mantri Jayalalithaa) Shri Modi said had she been around, she would have greatly appreciated the workers for building a wonder- called upon the ful memorial for Shri Kalam. At the request of Shri Modi, those gathered at the func- youth to resolve tion gave a standing ovation for the more than 450 workers who worked overtime but never claimed extra payment. Shri Modi also complimented DRDO for building to fulfil his the memorial within a short span of time. Page 4 \SAMVAD 8. YOGA HELPS STAY YOUNG, HEALTHY A group of medical researchers from Britain, Belgium and Netherlands have found scientifically that regular practice of yoga and meditation would help people to stay young and keep away diseases and depression. Frontiers of Immunology, an interna- tionally respected scientific journal, which is the official publication of the Interna- tional Union of Immunological Society, has come out with a peer-reviewed research paper on yoga and meditation. The research was held by scientists of Coventry Uni- versity of Britain, Radboud University of Netherlands and Antwerp University of Bel- gium. Interestingly, the research team had scientists only from Britain, Netherlands and Belgium and there were no Asians in it. “This is a stunning research finding. Yoga and meditation could turn back molecular reactions within your DNA that causes diseases and depression,” said Mike Adams, chief editor, Natural News, described as the Health Ranger of the United States.

9. NEED TO BUILD POSITIVE NATIONALISTIC NARRATIVE: J. NANDKUMAR The culture of narration and dialogue ex- language of the country which was the Sanskrit was emplified in our “shastras” by Nachiketa, tool of narrative across the land. or Narad or Sanjay needs to be rediscov- Mukul Kanitkar, organising secretary of the national ered by scholars and made relevant in the the Bharatiya Shiksha Mandal, said, the context of present times, said J Nanda Bharatiya culture held the nature in rev- language of Kumar, Akhil Bharatiya Samyojak, Pragya erence, whereas West always sought to Pravah, while addressing a “Prerna Shivir” exploit the nature for advantage of man- the country of Panchnad Research Institute in Kuruk- kind which has brought the world on the shetra. He exhorted scholars to under- verge of a serious environmental crisis. which was the take intense research, create content and Former MP Tarun Vijay stressed the tool of build a nationalistic narrative.He also un- need to decolonise the mind of the pre- derscored the need to make learning of sent day youth. Dr BK Kuthiala, director narrative Sanskrit more accessible to people, par- of the Panchnad, and Dr KS Arya, acting ticularly to the younger generation of president, laid down the blueprint for across the today because the whole repository of the future course of the organisation culture and philosophy of the land was and exhorted its members to shape the land. scripted in Sanskrit. Nandakumar said, in narrative in the society. fact, in the past Sanskrit was the national

9. VISHWA SANGH SHIKHA VARG: Dwitiya Varsha Vishwa Sangh Shikha Varg (VSSV) Dwitiya ing thevarga. Vishwa Vibhag adhikaris Varsha was inaugurated on July 15 at a from HSS Global coordinating team, scenic location, Surabirdi Meadows near Saumitra ji Gokhale and Dr Ram Vaidya Nagpur. A total of 65 shiksharthis from in the camp for the whole period while 13 countries are participating in the varg. Ravikumarji, Dr Sadanand Sapre and A similar varg is being held at Reshimbag Shyam Parande are visiting the varg as Smriti Mandir complex for sevikas where per their programs. RSS Sarsanghchalak 47 shiksharthis from 5 countries are par- Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavaha Bhay- ticipating. Apart from regular physical and yaji Joshi, Dattatreya Hosabale and other intellectual activities, special programs senior sangh adhikaris shall also visit the like path sanchalan, gram darshan and camp. A grand pathasanchalan was or- matru haste bhojan are taking place dur- ganized on 29th July. …... SAMVAD Page 5

VISHWA SANGH SHIKHA VARG ….. It started from Madhav Nagar ground stream of and passed through Bajaj Nagar, Abhy- Hindu civiliza- ankar Nagar and came back to Madhav tion and the Nagar ground. 65 course participants, rising Bharat ably guided by the volunteers from and learn the Nagpur marched to the tunes of the skills like Yoga, band expressing confidence and resolve Sanskrit, tradi- of the Hindu society abroad to work tional Bharatiya for the cause of games etc. For ‘VasudhaivKutumbakam’ many partici- pants like the (वसुधैव कुटुबकम्) . ones from Car- There are several Hindu organizations ibbean coun- working for the preservation and pro- tries of Guyana, motion of Hindu culture outside Bharat Trinidad, it is like (HSS ) – their first visit USA, HSS Australia, HSS Canada, Sewa to their ancestor’s land and they look Hindu organizations International USA etc. Many men and at it as a pilgrimage. The pathasancha- women are contributing selflessly and working for the lan was enthusiastically welcomed by relentlessly for imparting our traditions the residents of Nagpur by showering preservation and and culture to the younger generations flowers and slogans like ‘Bharat Mata promotion of Hindu of Hindus and making aware the larger ki Jay’, ‘Vishwa Dharmki Jay’. The dig- society in those countries about the culture outside Bharat nitaries present during this event were glorious traditions of Hindu culture. Shri Suresh Soni – RSS joint general like Hindu They organize weekly gatherings for secretary, Adv Alok Kumar – Course youth, carry out various kinds of seva Swayamsevak Sangh in charge, Prof Ravindra Joshi – ( charity ) works and other such en- (HSS ) – USA, HSS Course Coordinator and Anil Vartak, deavours. Volunteers taking up this Australia, HSS work have a strong desire to visit Sangathak of the Varg. Bharat, experience the uninterrupted Canada, Sewa International USA etc. 11. ‘WE’RE HERE TO STAY’: HINDU COMMUNITY CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEMPLE WITH TRUDEU, TORY Thousands from the Mandir, temple, located in that history is Hindu community in To- Etobicoke, also saw His repeating it- ronto and beyond turned Holiness Mahant Swami self," said out July 22 to celebrate Maharaj be given a key to BAPS Swami- the 10th anniversary of the City of Toronto by narayan an iconic temple that Mayor John Tory. Prime Mandir Prime Minister Justin Tru- Minister Trudeau recalled spokesperson deau called "without a opening of the temple on Nilesh Mehta. doubt one of Canada's July 22, 2007 when the The gleaming structure is architectural wonders." then-prime minister something he says sym- The celebration of the Stephen Harper was in bolizes the Hindu com- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan attendance." Today I feel munity's love for Canada. Page 6 \SAMVAD

12. FIRST SIKH WOMAN MP IN BRITAIN JOINS KEY HOUWE PANEL The first Sikh woman MP in Britain, Preet Kaur Gill, has been selected as a mem- ber of an influential parliamentary select committee which scrutinises the work of the home office. The Labour MP, who won the Birmingham Edgbaston seat in the UK elections 2017, will be one of 11 MPs on the cross-party home affairs committee, which investigates the spending, policy and administration of the ministerial department.

13. ’WISH YOU WEREOUR PM’, PAK WOMAN PRAISES SUSHMA SWARAJ AFTER VISA HELP Videsh Mantri Sushma Swaraj has directed the Bharatiya High Commission in Is- lamabad to issue a visa to a Pakistani national for medical treatment in Bharat.Touched by Swaraj’s prompt response, the woman, Hijaab Asif, praised the minister and even said Pakistan would have changed had she been the Prime Min- ister of her country. “@SushmaSwaraj What do I call you? Superwoman? God? No words to describe your generosity! Love you ma’am. Cannot stop praising you in tears!!!," she said.

The project is a 14. BHARAT ELECTRIFYING A REMOTE VILLAGE IN demonstration of EGYPT WITH SOLAR PROJECT Bharat’s technical A solar project with state-of-the-art technology has been launched in a remote village in Egypt. The village named Agaween village is in the Western Desert in capabilities, Matrouh Governorate, close to the Libyan border. The off grid system is ideal for remote locations. Egyptian government made ar- especially in rangement for the location of the project. Bharat provided all the solar panels and renewable energy, sub-systems, machinery, equipment and technical support, as well as training for technicians. “The project harnesses the sun and enriches the life of the villagers. and can be The project is a demonstration of Bharat’s technical capabilities, especially in re- newable energy, and can be replicated at other locations in Egypt,” Bharat’s am- replicated at other bassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya said while inaugurating the project. Major locations in Egypt... General Alla Fathi Abou Zeid, Governor of Matrouh inaugurated the project

15. POK IS BHARAT’S, SO PAK NOD NOT NEEDED FOR PATIENT’S VISA—SUSHMA Videsh Mantri Sushma “POK is an integral part and the residents of the Swaraj allowed a medical of Bharat. Pakistan has region may be allowed to visa to be given to an illegally occupied it. We travel to Bharat in future ailing resident of Paki- are giving him a visa. No as well without any hin- stan-Occupied-Kashmir letter required,” Su- drance. Osama (24) — a (POK), Osama Ali, say- shma tweeted. The resident of Rawalkot in ing he is a resident of an Minister’s line is clear POK — has been diag- area which is part of indicative of the fact nosed with a tumour in Bharat, currently illegally that Bharat would re- his liver and he wants to occupied by Pakistan. main assertive on POK come to Delhi.. SAMVAD Page 7 SAMVAD

16. PIO ACADEMICIAN NAMED DEAN OF MIT’S ENGG SCHOOL A Bharat-born academician at the prestigious Massa- tion for top engineering talent, he is confident that chusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been Chandrakasan would guide the school of engineer- named as the dean of its engineering school. Anantha ing to maintain and enhance its position of leader- Chandrakasan, the Vannevar Bush Professor and ship. He is a recipient of several awards including head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and the 2009 Semiconductor Industry Association Computer Science (EECS) assumed his new role ef- (SIA) University Researcher Award, the 2013 IEEE fective July 1. Donald O Pederson Award in Solid-State Circuits, The Chennai-born academician had previously an honorary doctorate from KU Leuven in 2016, headed the MIT's largest academic department, and the UC Berkeley EE Distinguished Alumni spearheading a number of initiatives that opened Award. He was also recognised as the author with opportunities for students, postdocs, and faculty to the highest number of publications in the 60-year conduct research, explore entrepreneurial projects. history of the IEEE International Solid-State Cir- MIT President Rafael Reif said in the statement that cuits Conference (ISSCC), the foremost global in a time of significant challenges, from new pres- forum for presentation of advances in solid- state sures on federal funding to the rising global competi- circuits and systems-on-a-chip.

17. ASIANS NOW RECOGNISED AS 18. CONNECTING NRIS TO THEIR KENYA’S 44TH TRIBE ROOTS “I do hereby recognise, proclaim and order, 1. that Nine Kathakars associated with the Ekal Abhiyan Kenyans of Asian Heritage constitute a Community visited the US in the month of February. They in- that is one of the Tribes of Kenya; 2. that from now cluded Teerthchand Kaushik from Sikkim, Priya Sa- hence forth the Community of Kenyans of Asian hachari from Guwahati, Johan from Madhya Bharat, Heritage are Kenya’s 44th Tribe,” declared Kenyan Sumitra from Mahakaushal, Geetmala from Silchar, President Uhuru Kenyatta in a proclamation which Meena from Jammu and Dileshwar, Radheshyam appeared in the official presidential journal made and Sandip Kumar from Jharkhand. public on July 22. They participated in more than 50 programmes un- The term “Asian community” in Kenya generally der ‘Ekal Sur, Ekal Tal’ programme in 27 states of designates those of Indo-Pakistani origin who made the US during six months. Big events were organ- their homes in the east African nation from the late ised on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They joined 19th Century as the then British colonial power various Bhajan Sandhyas and Satsang in different was constructing a first railway link from the port temples. The NRIs participated in all the events of Mombasa to Kampala in Uganda. According to with great enthusiasm. An eagerness to connect to Kenya’s most recent census of 2009, the South their roots was also seen among them. It also Asian community numbers some 46,000 people. strengthened the Ekal Abhiyan. All these Kathakars There are a further 35,000 who do not have citi- returned Bharat recently. They were honoured for zenship. the successful trip.

19. PAK SEPARATISTS, TERRORISTS BIGGEST ENEMIES OF KASHMIR: RSS LEADER INDRESH KUMAR Pakistan, separatists and terrorists are the biggest enemies of Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat, the RSS said on July 27, advising Islamabad to “keep off Kashmir” and reminding it of how its “hate-Bharat” campaign cost it dearly in the past. Talking to the media on the sidelines of a function organised by the Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch in Jammu, RSS leader Indresh Kumar minced no words and asked Pakistan to mend its ways before it becomes “too little, too late” for the neighbour. SAMVAD Page 8 SAMVAD

20. OVER, 51,000 RSS SHAKHAS IN THE COUNTRY

RSS Akhil Bharatiya 23,223 shiksharthis participated. Prachar Pramukh Dr. A total of 15,816 shiksharthis below the age of 40 Manmohan Vaidya years participated and 3,000 shiksharthis were in briefted the media the second year Varg and 899 were in third year after the Prant camp. At present, there are 51,688 daily shakhas Prachark meeting on and 13,432 weekly milans in the country. July 20. He said this There are 2,965 Pracharks, Vistaraks across the year, 87 Sangh Shikha Vargs took place wherein country. Number of persons joining the RSS is in-

21. INITIATE TO CURE ILLS: BHAIYAJI 22. US RESUMES H-1B PREMIUM PROC- ESSING FOR CERTAIN BHARATIYA “We are undoubtedly heading VISA CATEGORIES towards leading the world, but at the same time we must not The Trump administration has come out with a ignore the weaknesses of our new set of conditions of exemptions which seem own society. Wherever and to benefit the Bharatiya immigrants who come whatever wrong one finds, initiate steps to cor- under the H1B visa status. The US will resume rect it,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi, the premium processing for certain cap-exempt while felicitating newly recruited civil servants on H-1B visa applications if the H-1B petitioner is: July 23, at a function organised by Sankalp. Bhai- *An institution of higher education; *A nonprofit yaji said despite many efforts on part of the soci- related to or affiliated with an institution of ety and governments still many do not have ac- higher education; or *A nonprofit research or cess to medicines, etc., therefore such type of governmental research organization. necessities needed to be addressed. Earlier Dr Premium processing will also resume for peti- Krishna Gopal said civil service is a mean to tions that may also be exempt if the beneficiary serve the nation. Shri Madan Das extended best will be employed at a qualifying cap-exempt insti- wishes to the new civil servants. tution, organization or entity.

AIDING HINDUISM IN PAKISTAN Couple reports progress on some fronts, though many issues remain for the nation’s Hindus (LAVINA MELWANI, NEW YORK) In December 2016, Sanjesh Dhanja and his wife Kiran Kumari were hosted by the Hindu American Foun- dation for a US tour to enhance awareness of issues faced by Hindus in Pakistan. In 2009 these two tire- less human rights workers co-founded the Pakistan Hindu Seva Welfare Trust (PHS, www.pakistanhinduseva.org), a charity organization whose mission is to create a peaceful Pakistan, free from discrimination and to strengthen human values through opportunities for minorities and deprived communities. Dhanja, the president of PHS, says, “Our goal is secular, not political: to work for educa- tion, health and human rights in Pakistan, largely for the millions of deprived Hindus there.” The current estimate of Hindus in Pakistan is 1.9 million. This is considered low. The long overdue na- tional census in 2017 should provide higher numbers, if one includes Dalits, who will instead be desig- nated as a separate religion even though the vast majority practice Hinduism. Says Dhanja, “Just about 2% are in the middle class, and at least 90% are very poor. Many are from scheduled castes. About 8% of the Hindus are wealthy, in business or serving in the legislature. Though they represent the entire Hindu community, they don’t always support poor Hindus. We need funds to help this poor population.” Kiran Kumari, secretary of PHS, explains the disappearance of Pakistan’s Hindus: “Some converted, some migrated and some lost their lives in various crises. Some Muslim groups do try to pressure Hindus to convert. We are working to resist this. Educated Muslims do not want Hindus to leave their faith. …... 15. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Page 9

Pravaas: Saumitra ji Gokhale, samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will travel to USA after the VSSV in Bharat, Ravi Kumar ji, sahsamyojak is in Singapore, Dr Ram Vaidya, sahsamyojak will travel to Ja- pan. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: As long as someone cries out "O God! O God!" be sure that he has not found God, for whoever has found Him becomes still.- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

JAI SHREE RAM Aiding Hinduism … Because their strength is with us, we are able to raise our voices.” PHS works on a broad array of fronts: burial and cremation matters for Hindus, an education center in Karachi, bringing the community closer by organizing cricket tournaments and preventing vandalization of temples. In 2014 six Hindu temples were attacked. Dhanja shares, “We believe every religion is a good religion,” and the challenge is to teach Hindus about their faith in an Islamic nation. “Ours is a painful story,” confided Dhanja. “With no laws protecting Hindus, there is no access to justice. But there is some change today. We are trying to create awareness of our society, for we, too, are part of Pakistan.” Kiran reports that at least 25 new cases of rape and forced conversion are registered every month, mostly in the poverty-stricken interior of Sindh. These include forced conversions and “love jihad,” where girls are compelled to convert in order to marry Muslim men who use social pressure to take advantage of women’s poverty. If poor Hindus cannot feed their family, conversion can seem attractive. Ten percent of the girls convert willingly, but the majority are compelled. Dhanja and Kumari have led protests against forced conversions and even rescued two girls. Threatened because of this activism, they focus now on societal issues for minorities. “Health, education and women’s empowerment are the next phase of our work, and these will alleviate the problem of forced conver- sions,” says Dhanja. “We want to teach the tenets of the Hindu faith to our children and want our Hindus to be aware of their religion so they won’t convert out of duress; if they do convert, it will be after a thoughtful proc- ess.” “In every religion, people try to teach the tenets of their faith to their children from birth, but this does not hap- pen with Hindus in Pakistan,” she noted. “We live in a society which does not allow us to learn about our own faith.” Ninety percent of Hindus are bonded laborers and receive no education. Says Dhanja, “The hate material in the school textbooks is not good for our children. What is falsely written about non-Muslim minorities needs to be corrected.” PHS holds Bhagavad Gita quiz challenges for young Hindus to teach them a correct view of Hinduism. Working with the government and with other NGOs, the couple are seeing incremental changes. In 2017 the gov- ernment made some changes in the school textbooks, and included chapters on Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi and Navratri. The government has given Hindus plots to build new temples. Cremations, disallowed in many Is- lamic countries, are available to Pakistani Hindus. Yoga is better accepted; there is even a popular yoga program on television. In 2016 the government announced holidays on Diwali and Holi for the Hindu community. “Also,” Dhanja adds, “68 years after Independence, Hindu marriage is now recognized under the law, but only in Sindh. We hope it may become law on a national level in the future.” Travel for Hindus to is also easier now. “We get visas to go to India, and this year a group of 90 Hindus traveled to India for a yatra. We went to Vrindaban, Rishikesh, Haridwar and also the Akshardham temple in Delhi,” states Kiran Kumari. Dhanja would like Hindus from India to come and visit the pilgrimage spots in Pakistan, such as the ancient Shiv Temple in Chatwal, where Shiva’s first tear had fallen and become a pond. He says, “The very name Hindu comes from the Sindhu River in Sindh. We should be very proud of that.” Dhanja concludes, “We Hindus live together with the Muslims, who are very good neighbors. Extremism is the only problem we face.” The couple see Pakistan as the home of all its citi- zens. “Our work is for all Pakistanis: we are working for the larger community. We work to benefit all humanity in Pakistan, not only the Hindus. We have to live in Pakistan — we are born of the soul of that country! Pakistan is our vatan, our homeland. We are facing the problems of the country together — we would not want to leave but rather stay and solve the problems we face together.”(http://www.hinduismtoday.com/Magazine Web Edition >