*********************************************************************** Global Hindu Electronic Network (GHEN) Are you a subscriber of Hindu Digest? To subscribe to Hindu Digest send an e-mail to listserv@arizvm1.ccit.arizona.edu with the following contents subscribe hindu-d Full Name [Note: Full Name must be at least 2 words] *********************************************************************** Subject: Global_Vision_2000 *********************************************************************** Title: Global Vision 2000 Youth Conference Head: 2000 Youth Swarm DC Text: I arrived at the Washington D.C. Hilton around 3:30pm on Friday , August 6th. Hinduism Today had asked me to attend and report on the VHP's 3-day Global Vision 2000 event, focusing especially on the Global Youth Conference. I am single and an attorney. I guess Hinduism Today figured I could draft a respectable "brief," also youngish enough to to tune into youth mode, but still old enough not to file a report in cryptic teen lingo like: "It was a totally bodacious happening, cool kids, uncool registration, good food/not, awesome artists, super soulful sadhus and overall, a total high." Young or old, or 'twixt, I was looking forward to this assignment, totally. My first impression was a swell of saris, punjabis and kurtas in the hotel's limousine entrance way. With that clue, I wasn't surprised to find the elegant lobby taken over by hundreds of Indians, the sedate atmosphere transformed into a Delhi train station-women sitting on the floor, men frantically registering and children running all over, enjoying the pandemonium. Then I quickly shot over to the Omni Shoreham, a separate hotel where the ambitious Hindu Students Council (HSC) were launching their colossal youth conference, dovetailed into the Global Vision 2000 event. What a scene! Two thousand and two hundred excited Hindu teens and university guys and girls cramming the lobby. It looked like a sardine-packed Tokyo subway stop at rush hour. I felt sorry for the HSC volunteer staff. They had expected between 1,200 to 1,500 at most. Then it seems the guy with all the room keys was missing. Lines got so long they twisted through each other into one mass of human spaghetti. Kids reacted two ways. For those from dead-pan, dried-up Midwest Bible-belt towns, where the only Hindu within a thousand miles is their sister, this human bathtub of Hindu teens was paradise. But for those from the New York area where there are thousands of Indians and where speed and efficiency are sacrosanct, this was not fun. After a "pilgrim's" modest dinnerfare served at a local school, the human sea drifted into a grand ballroom for a feast of fantastic cultural performances all staged by youth. By midnight, I heard all 2,200 got into a room "somewhere, somehow." Parents, note: girls were roomed on separate floors from boys with "security" posted at the stairwells. Next day, Saturday, starting just after a bright sunrise, a non-stop stream of buses shuttled 4,000 youth and adults from the two hotels to the gigantic Capital Center for the major event-a parade, talks by swamis and spiritual dignitaries and cultural show. Another 5,000-plus Hindus converged in cars from neighboring states. [See Global Vision 2,000 article page 1.] It was beautiful hearing Sanskrit slokas about God and oneness sonorously resonate through million-megawatt speakers that usually blast out near-savage squeals of "heavy metal" rock stars. Unfortunately, many of the youth didn't stay inside the main arena to hear all the spiritual talks, but rather circled around the walkway concourse, socializing. It was reminiscent of a custom in Latin America, where the boys and girls stroll around the town square in opposite directions, as parents sit inside on benches engrossed in more serious matters. Observing my almost motherly concerns, I appreciated the wise insight from a girl, Jyoti Pandya: "Sure a lot of kids were into socializing, but in the future, when they hear the name Swami Vivekananda, they will say, 'Yeah, I know him; he was great. I went to this big event honoring him.' That's still important. And how many parents were really interested in deep Vedantic things when they were teenagers?" And I have to add, hundreds of youths, some who I met and talked to, thoroughly took advantage of all the richness offered during the three potent days. Dr. Lakshmi Kumari of the Vivekananda Kendra, India, inaugurated the youth conference, saying boldly: "I appreciate that a lady is inaugurating this Youth Conference, for Vivekananda had the highest respect for women. Our future is safer in the heart of the mother than in the mind of the father," subtly alluding to ages of masculine aggressiveness. Sunday brought the youth back to Omni Shoreham for an engaging day of well set up "theme sessions." Topics covered all aspects of applying Vedanta in modern life from how quantum physics and Hinduism see eye-to-eye, to the role of women in Hindu society. Swamis, scholars, scientists and youth led the partly discussion-oriented sessions. The day ended with upbeat messages from the HSC youth leaders to their peers to go back home proud of being Hindu and study the religion deeper! Suban Mehta jibed them: "Some of you figured: 'Three days in D.C., in a different hotel from your parents! Wow! What a place to party!' Others did come to learn. All be aware, you guys and girls are the Hindu future. Do you think you have enough knowledge to answer the questions your kids will ask?" Then the kindly, and decidedly fatherly, VHP president Dr. Mahesh Mehta took the podium. He looked like he wanted to hug the whole room of youth as he poured praise on the organizers and told even most fidgety pubescents with their baseball hats twisted on backwards how proud he was of all of them for being there in the name of dharma. Kudos and Criticisms Aside from the monstrous logistical and emotional challenges of bridling an end-of-the-summer herd of youth, I definitely felt too many of the speakers spoke in generalities. Our generation needs specifics, concrete explanations of ethereal truths. Also, what could have been very effective would have been to offer the youth opportunities to act: like making a commitment to doing volunteer work to demonstrate Vivekananda's selfless theme, or enroll in classes or courses for deeper study of Hinduism. Also, one of the big assumptions made by organizers was that the youth really know what Hinduism is. That's a big, wrong assumption. Many of us know but bits and pieces about some customs and traditions, but not the real philosophical underpinnings. There's a big difference. Another thing that bothered me was I kept hearing the message that "We are one" and "We are all brothers and sisters," but thinking in the back of my mind how many Hindu parents gracefully accept their child marrying "out of caste?" Also we cannot talk about being "one," when the caste system has evolved into such a blemish in Hindu society. This area should not have been neglected. Also I kept hearing subtle attacks on the West. This "West" is my generation's birthplace and home and also the new home of our parents. I felt good finally when we showed our pride of being Americans by singing the National Anthem before the Indian one. Overall, the magnitude of the youth conference was very impressive and deserves major recognition, especially the volunteers who I heard worked for months everyday on this event and didn't sleep for the three days while it was on. Also, the vision it took to bring this together as an international forum for Hindu youth deserves resounding applause. By the way, there were youth delegates from 48 US states and countries as far away as South Africa, Nepal and Sweden. In fact, all the drawbacks of the conference were because sponsors didn't have the heart to turn kids away. The variety of speakers was great. I really liked the idea of bringing spiritual leaders from other faiths, like the Buddhist, Mayan shaman and Sufi and scientists as well. I liked the idea of emphasizing Vivekananda's words "Arise, Awake" calling for people to shrug off religious apathy, and be proud, active members of not only our society, but citizens of the universe as well. Inviting leaders of other faiths to say an interfaith prayer was an excellent way of demonstrating Hindus' sincere respect for all other paths to the One. But above all, I have to say that what I enjoyed most was meeting other people who, like me, have grown up in this country and are striving to preserve their Hindu identity. Seeing so many Hindus at once gives one the courage to make a commitment to the Hindu vision of the world. -By Shuba Krishnan (above), Washington D.C., along with other reports compiled by Hinduism Today staff Sidebar: Youth Feedback "I came with a delegation of nine from the National Hindu Youth Federation of South Africa to attend this event and the Chicago Parliament. We immensely enjoyed the whole gathering and especially the opportnity to befriend members of the Hindu Students Council who graciously hosted us in D.C." -Pravesh Hurdeen, South Africa "What these events do is like make us feel more 'Oh yeah, everyone here is bonding' and makes you feel that you should have more pride in your culture and when you have more pride others are inclined to respect you more." -Amish Patel, 15, Illinois "I am from India. I had no idea Indian American youth were interested in Hinduism. What really struck me was that many really were. That really changed my perception of them. Now I want to contribute rather than criticize."-Sanjay Thakur, New Jersey "Dharma-I finally learned the meaning of this and how to live it. The event made me jump from a 1 to 10, on a scale of 10. Honestly, this program has increased my understanding of Hinduism. Coming from a very sparsely populated town where there is not any Indian or Hindu influence, this experience made me realize and appreciate my religion and culture. I am proud that I am a Hindu. Also now I feel a special bond with U.S. Hindu youth as my brothers and sisters." -Jenny Parmar, 16, born in India "I benefitted just from the general atmosphere, because it was an atmosphere of spiritual growth." -Sonia Gandhi, 17, New Jersey "It gave me hope for world peace. I could see people cared. I found a common thread between us all. Astronaut Edgar Mitchell was the best speaker. He has a lot of wisdom."-Manisha Shroff, South Carolina "The greatest part of the whole program was meeting other youth from all over the world that are living in a generation where the fashion is to deny being a Hindu, where just calling yourself a Hindu runs the risk of being called a fanatic. One of the major objectives of this conference was not to teach fanaticism but rather spread the healthy pride of being a Hindu. This is important especially living in a society famous for being a melting pot and melting away the identities of individuals." -Rakhi Israni, 17, Texas "The most interesting thing was the discussion on family in the 21st century, because it reinforced my basic values of being a Hindu-e.g. vegetarianism, extended family etc. The Swamijis' and Sants' speeches were a great enlightenment. I think these youth meetings have really helped keep our Hindu values strong." -Hetal Vashi, 22, Connecticut "The importance of sacrifice and selflessness struck me. Our religion is based on doing without wanting something back. This whole program gave me a broader outlook of my religion. The Saturday program was very interesting because I got to listen to so many gurus. I think the youth are starting to realize that they need to know about their culture and their heritage and that they don't need to be ashamed or quiet about being a Hindu. Also we need to know the significance of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The youth do not know how or why the stories are so important." -Kavita Vashi, 16, Connecticut "We came to meet our future wives." -Pratin Shah, Massachussets "We all enjoyed the discussion theme sessions, e.g. The Cosmos is One Family"-Niharika Gupta, 17, Texas Copyright 1993, Himalayan Academy, All Rights Reserved. The information contained in this news report may not be published for commercial purposes without the prior written authority of Himalayan Academy. (The idea is simply we don't want people putting it in magazines or newspapers that are for sale without our permission. Redistribution electronically (for free), photocoping to give to classes or friends, all that is ok.) 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