World Hindu Congress vows to re-connect global Hindus with common heritage

The Westin Hotel in Lombard, a suburb of Chicago is the venue of World Hindu Congress II

The WHC II which is slated to be held from September 7 to 9, 2018, will witness the participation of over 2000 delegates at the Westin Hotel in Lombard, a suburb of Chicago. These participating delegates will discuss, deliberate, introspect and chalk out a plan of action surrounding the WHC II motto of “Think Collectively, Act Valiantly”, and “Stay together, Express together”. This is derived from Mahabharata and the Rig Veda.

According to the agency reports, the venue of the WHC II the Westin Hotel is situated at a distance of 32 km from the Art Institute of Chicago where Swami Vivekananda delivered his epoch-making address. The bust of Swami Vivekananda adores this spot now.

Many religious leaders are scheduled to attend the Hindu Congress conference. A video message from the Dalai Lama, who had to drop out due to frail health, will be screened. Speakers in the various events include Indian American Prof Ved Nanda of the University of Denver; Lord Jitesh Gadhia, the youngest Briton of Indian origin in the House of Lords; Swati Dandekar, a former legislator from Iowa; Rep. Raja Krishnmoorthi, D-Illinois; Columbia Prof Arvind Panagariya, a former economic advisor to the Government of India and actor Anupam Kher.

Out of the 2,300 delegates, an overwhelming majority of 1,300 are from North America, with other delegates coming from 60 countries.

“There will be no spiritual discourses,” conference convener Abhaya Asthana said in an interview. “The aim is to use the essence of Hindu philosophy, dharma, to inform how we come together (in the diaspora) as men, women and youth — in politics, education and commerce.”

Asthana noted that despite the fact that Hindus have done well individually in North America, they do not have collective clout, a deficiency that the conference will deliberate on. “We are almost there in the social media, but we need more impact in politics, commerce and technology,” he said.

Do Hindus, especially those in alien lands, need to take a long hard look at Hinduism? This is a question that hangs uneasily in the air when Indian Americans talk of current events in India.

But Asthana is sanguine. “We do not have to redefine dharma. The philosophy is sound, the principles are sound. Ahimsa (non-violence) is ingrained. All we need to do is to live our lives rooted in the philosophy of service and tolerance.

“We want to connect all Hindus worldwide as well as reach out to all others for the happiness of all living creatures,” Asthana said. (With additional inputs from agencies)