October-December 2016 HINDU VISHWA 1 WORLD HINDU COUNCIL OF AMERICA (VHPA) National Headquarter: Tel.: (281)496-5676 P. 0. Box 441505, www.vhp-america.org [email protected] Houston, TX 77244-1505 Volume XXXXVI No. 4 October-December 2016 meJe&Üejs<eg osnsçeqmceved ÒekeÀeMe GHepee³eles~ %eeveb ³eoe leoe efJeÐeeod efJeJe=×b meÊJeefcel³egle~~ Þeerceod YeieJeod ieerlee 14-11 sarva-dvaresu dahesmin prakasa upjayate Jnanam yada tada vidyad vivrddham sattvam ityuta Shri Mad Bhagavad Gita 14-11 When through the perceptual senses of the body illuminating knowledge manifests; know that certainly the mode of goodness predominates To all the readers of Hindu Vishwa, I am privileged to be your Editor in the USA. In the shortest introduction I can provide, my name is Rajranee Jaipershad, aka Ronica. I was born and raised as a Hindu in Guyana, South America; migrated to Canada in 1973, where I studied for a degree in Computer Science at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario; and graduated in 1978. I worked at IBM Canada from 1974 till 1994 and then migrated to Florida where I now reside. I have worked with several IT firms in the USA, owned IT and Media businesses in the past, and served in several local hindu/indian organizations in Canada and Tampa. I am a co-founder of the Indo-Caribbean Golden Age Association in Toronto, an organization designed to provide seniors an opportunity to meet up, learn from each other, and spend quality social time with each other, at least once a month. By interacting with these seniors over two decades ago, and experiencing all their growing pains and problems associated with 'old age', or growing old, I vowed that I would do everything possible to become and always be a healthy senior citizen. I look forward to contributing to the Hindu Vishwa and hope that I can continue to enhance our beliefs in Hinduism. ■ Editorial Team World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), founded in 1970 and incorporated in the state of New York in Managing Editor: Shyam Tiwari [email protected] 1974, is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt and Editor: Ronica (Rajranee) Jaipershad volunteer-based charitable organization serving the [email protected] needs of Hindu community in USA. It aims to build a Copy Editor: Sabitha Venugopal [email protected] dynamic and vibrant Hindu society rooted in the Assistant Editor: Rachna Gupta [email protected] eternal values of Dharma and inspired by the lofty Advisors: Dr. Abhay Asthana [email protected] ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. the entire Dr. Shardananda [email protected] creation is one family. The views expressed in the articles presented in this About the HINDU VISHWA publication are those of the authors and do not World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) publishes the Hindu Vishwa necessarily reflect the views of the organization, issue quarterly except when combined with special publications. For officials, editorial staff or the donors. © Copyright 2016 World Hindu Council of America subscription, please fill out the membership form on the last page. (VHPA). All rights reserved. No parts and contents of For Advertising inquiries please contact: Shyam Tiwari at 770.962.2669 this publication may be reproduced in any form or Email - [email protected] without the written permission of VHP of America, Inc. October-December 2016 2 HINDU VISHWA Take a Look Inside ... Y R O SAC Fundraising T S Across US R Garners E V Overwhelming O C Support P-18 On Aging Healthily P-3 ®eerve ceW efveefce&le (eEnoer keÀefJelee) P-21 Seva in America (SIA) Bridging Income Disparity with Education P-22 Plan to Preserve and Promote Sanskrit P-24 Vibrant Cincinnati Chapter's Role of Women in Society III: 25 Year Journey P-4 Women in the West P-25 My Visit to Spiritual Meaning behind the Srimad Magnificent Bhagavatam Stories- Temples in Part II P-6 Tamil Nadu P-28 Challenging Western Religious Evolution Universalism P-10 in 21st Century P-32 Paths of Yoga P-12 Madhya Pradesh Houses World's Oldest Rock Art P-33 New Dawn at ``Ekal Vidyalaya’’ P-34 Make Friends with the Present P-36 Eleventh Annual HMEC Now, Yoga becomes Part Held in Atlanta P-14 of Nursing Curriculum P-38 Cover design & page layout by Akshar Vyavsthapan, Mumbai. E-mail: [email protected] October-December 2016 HINDU VISHWA 3 On Aging Healthily e all know "how time allows the body to burn excess W flies"! And, we also calories and you to maintain a become so stressed out Editorial steady weight. To be overweight due to 'lack of time', that we can also be unhealthy. To be sometimes neglect to take care overweight and inactive is even of ourselves. Well, it doesn't worse. have to be so! 2: Breathe Deep: The body You see, knowing fully well needs oxygen to survive. that I mustn't generalize, I have Reserve 10-15 minutes each day learnt that our individual quality for deep breathing. We are so of life is impacted by our own actions, and inactions busy, that we rarely pay attention to our breathing. (albeit, not ignoring destiny/karma) or, hereditary Air fuels our lungs and ultimately, every organ of our issues which may be unavoidable. These days, our body. No matter how young or old you are, deep daily routines can involve long hours of sitting, breathing via the nose is important and improves the standing, or lying, which in itself, leads to various flow of oxygen through your body. Isn't it amazing physical, mental and other health issues. I am no that we can survive hours, days without food, but only health expert, and I believe that destiny will minutes without air? ultimately prevail. But, I have learnt that if we neglect 3: Exercise in moderation: It has been proven to care for our bodies, we risk the chance of severe, that yoga and/or stretches at least once, each day for and even fatal bodily malfunctions, which can shorten at least 10 minutes, will also add positive benefits to our lifespan. So, no matter how old or young you are, your overall health. Have you noticed that when you or how busy you might be, unless health and other get off your bed in the mornings, your joints are issues prevent you, sometimes 'stiff'? You can ease this by slow make time to movement/walking and, as your body frequently stretch, begins to 'move itself', engage in a few move your body, eat stretches. Surya Namaskar or variations to sensibly, and suit your ability, is a great way to breathe rest/relax. and stretch your body. A 10-15 minutes I find that as I stroll daily, will also help to awaken and grow older, I have an loosen your joints. Start a friends' group and innate passion to age walk/exercise! healthily, live as long To maintain a healthy body requires as possible, and help everyone else do the same. So, work. If you are not used to doing exercises or yoga, to help you, I am sharing a few tips below, from my start by taking five to ten minutes, and do mild experiences and lifestyle changes, which has helped focused breathing, stretches, and, even meditation, me to stay healthy and active. This involves eating whether it be sitting, standing or lying. As time goes healthy, focused breathing, walking, playing music, by, with daily practice, your abilities will improve. and doing yoga and other light exercises daily. Set aside quiet time daily! Aim for a healthy life! 1: Eat Healthy: Yoga has taught me that food and Remember, everything in moderation. "Age is just a drinks at room temperature are the best. Too cold or number"! Good Health to All! ■ too hot quickly changes the temperature of your body and could cause adverse effects. I limit my intake of PS: If you are under a Doctor's care, please consult your hot and cold drinks. Weight loss experts advise that Doctor prior to following any suggestions above. we follow a balanced diet, and eat our heaviest meal during the day, and not just before going to bed. This October-December 2016 4 HINDU VISHWA Vibrant Cincinnati Chapter's 25 Year Journey small seed sown 25 years ago to promote the energetic youth group. They meet twice a month on A Hindu values and culture in Cincinnati has Saturday morning and do all the fun activities. flourished and grown up into what we know today Our support to Ekal program is very strong ever since as the VHPA Cincinnati chapter. Despite various ups and we started bringing the music program. For last few downs, many a times its face changed, priorities changed years, our chapter has been sponsoring around 200-250 but the chapter moved forward surely, and it is stronger schools per year. It is a great cause and people are than before. coming forward to help. It is very important to note that In first few years, the progress was very slow. It some schools have been sponsored by our children who stayed at that stage for quite some time, but from 1997 grew up in this group. onward it started growing. Our Balvihar classes had We also have taken a calendar project from last year. almost 60-65 students at some point. Class for children Some of the children are taking interest in researching from older age group (11-16 years) was known as Hindu and writing the information in it. It's a very proud mind study group and younger children's class (5-11 moment for us.