Illinois chapter of VHPA to host Second World Hindu
Congress in Chicago
By J.V. Lakshmana Rao
Chicago: With the Chicago team in the forefront, the Illinois chapter of the Viswa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) will be hosting the Second World Hindu Congress in September 2018. To prepare a working plan, form various committees and to put them operational, the team held a preparatory meeting at Rana Regan Center in Carol Stream on April 30.
Welcoming the gathering, Shailesh Rajput, secretary of the Illinois chapter of VHPA, said that the First World Hindu Congress was held in New Delhi in November 2014. At the concluding session of that congress on November 23, 2014, the US delegates offered to host the Second World Hindu Congress in the US. Four US cities – Los Angeles, Houston, New York and Chicago -- were considered, but the Chicago chapter’s claim to host it weighed high because, Chicago was the city where Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic speech of “Brothers and Sisters” at the World Parliament of Religions on September 11, 1893. Consequently the International Committee of the World Hindu Congress headed by Dr. Vigyanand Swami approved that Chicago would be the host city of the Second World Hindu Congress on September 7, 8, and 9, 2018.
After chanting the Ekta (unity) Mantra by all the participants of the preparatory meeting, Dr. Shamkant Sheth, president of Illinois chapter of VHPA, said that organizers and volunteers of VHPA, HSS, Hindu temples and Hindu organizations had expressed their excitement to make the Second World Hindu Congress a great success. He said Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism – a way of life -- was evolved by great saints and scholars thousands of years ago and, hence its traditions, culture, oneness of humanity and spirituality have to be kept alive and passed on to the present and future generations. In that respect, the World Hindu Congress was playing a great role. The congress would be attended by intellectuals, scholars, opinion-makers and several others from all over the world. Seven forums, which would be holding sessions simultaneously during the three-day congress, would cover the views of experts in economics, politics, media, women empowerment, temple management and the youth and children.
He said that the first congress in Delhi was attended by 1,800 delegates from 52 countries, but the second congress in Chicago would attract even bigger number of delegates from 72 countries. He said that the attendance to the congress would be strictly by invitation based on advance registration, but the concluding session would be open for all.
Dr. Barat Barai, a community activist and a strong supporter of the VHPA, said that a congress of such vast scope attended by such large number of delegates from so many countries would demand a huge commitment of finance; it might be anywhere between $1.5 million and $2 million or even $4 million. It would be a great challenge to Chicago hosts. It would be a giant program. Dr. Bharat Barai, who had organized a massive reception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Madison Square Garden in New York in 2015, said that his experience had shown that organizers would be better off and could raise substantial amount if each personal donation was most realistic anywhere between $1000 and $5000. He said that while sponsors with big money were welcome, his experience had also shown that online fundraising could be a successful method for raising a substantial amount for organizing such a huge event.
He said: “After years of repression, Hindu renaissance was initiated by Swami Viveknanada in the US and Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. When people of other religions proudly announce their religious identity, unfortunately, Hindus feel shy of calling themselves Hindus. They should overcome this shortcoming and feel proud to announce that they belong to Hinduism, one of the two oldest religions (Judaism is the second one) of the world. Our youth must be made to realize this historic fact and feel proud about it.”
Nirav Patel, a VHPA activist and member of the national council of VHPA, said that several committees were being formed to recruit volunteers to look after fundraising, security, food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, medical and other such facilities to help the delegates to make the congress a great success. He appealed to people to register themselves as volunteers in good number and work in the areas of their expertise for the success of the congress.
Kaushik Joshy, an architect of Chinmaya Mission in Chicago and in-charge of Hindu Mandir Executives Conference, who said that there were 810 Hindu temples in the US and among them, more than 20 temples were in Chicago, extended their support to the congress.
Chirayu Parikh, president of Jalaram Mandir, representing Hindu Priests Conference, who called for strong interfaith relations, stressed the need for the youth to take active role in the operation of temples that were supporting organizations like the World Hindu Congress. A few others, who represented various Hindu organizations, spoke in support of the congress.
A video clip of Dr. Vigyanand Swami’s address to the first World Hindu Congress was played on a big screen at the meeting.
Amitabh Mittal, executive committee member of VHPA, proposed a vote of thanks.