\Samvad

Marghashirsha Shukla 9 Vik. Samvat 2079, Yugabda 5124 : 1 December, 2022:SM 4017 (For Private Circulation only)


  1. FESTIVALS: BHAGWAN DATTATREYA JAYANTI 2. ALL PEOPLE OF BHARAT ARE HINDUS : MOHAN BHAGWAT
3. BREAKING FOUR ECOSYSTEMS KEY TO BHARAT’S RISE: ARUN KUMAR 4. PM MODI INAUGURATED 'KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM'
5. SANGH SHIKSHA VARG TRITIYA VARSH COMMENCED IN NAGPUR SANGH SHIKSHA VARG 6. 400TH JANMAJAYANTI OF LACHIT BORPHUKAN CELEBERATED
7. SC: FORCED CONVERSION TO IMPERIL NATIONAL SECURITY 8. MAURITIUS SANGH SHIKSHA VARG
9.  HINDU CIVILIZATION EXHIBITION, DARSHANA, CONTINUES TO BE WELL RECEIVED AT STATE CAPITOLS 10. RAMAYANA VAIBHAVAM CONTEST CONDUCTED
11. HSS DALLAS-FORTWORTH: SEWA DIWALI 12. OVER 40 MISSIONS HEADS VISITED CELLULAR JAIL
13. AYURVEDA DAY CELEBRATED IN BALI 14. MAURITIUSIAN PRESIDENT, WIFE PAY OBEISANCE AT RAM LAL VIRAJMAN AT AYODHYA
15. BHARATIYA CANADIAN APPOINTED VICE CHANCELLOR OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY 16. BHARATIYAS STUDENTS INCREASED IN USA AND UK
17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Article: SANATANA DHARMA IN THE 21ST CENTURY

1. FESTIVALS: BHAGWAN DATTATREYA JAYANTI: Bhagwan Dattatreya Jayanti is a festival commemorating the birth day of the Bhagwan Dattatreya (Datta), a combined form of the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is celebrated throughout the country on the full moon day of Margashirsha ( December 7 this year).

Bhagwan Dattatreya was the son of sage Atri and Anusuya. On Datta Jayanti, people take bath in rivers, observe fast, and do puja & bhajans. Bhagwan Dattatreya’s six hands hold Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Trishul, Kamandal, and a bowl. Some of Bhagwan Datta’s important temples are located at Gangapur in Karnataka, Narasimha Wadi in Maharashtra, Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh, Audumbar in Sangli and Girnar in Saurashtra. -GoTop


2. ALL PEOPLE OF BHARAT ARE HINDUS : MOHAN BHAGWAT: On November 15, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghachalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that all people of Bharat who consider Bharat as his motherland is a Hindu irrespective of any religion.

He added that this is the reason we have been united for hundreds of years and Sangh speaks this truth out. He said this while addressing a public meeting at Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh’s Surjuga district.  He also said that joining sangh is the best way to understand Sangh and one can only know the Sangh by coming to the Shakha. The Sarsanghachalak also paid homage to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and  unveiled the statue of Kumar Dilip Singh Judeo. -GoTop

 
3. BREAKING FOUR ECOSYSTEMS KEY TO BHARAT’S RISE: ARUN KUMAR: On November 17, RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Arun Kumar expressed concern over the way anti-Bharat forces have been working against the interest of the nation.  He said that while the ideas of the Sangh are accepted and adopted by the people, Maoists, cultural Marxists, Islamists and global capitalists have set up an ecosystem against Hindutva and Bharat to impose their views on the mainstream. He was addressing the inaugural session of a three day conference on ‘Education System in India’ organised by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN).  Atul Kothari, National secretary of SSUN explained the idea behind the third edition of Gyanotsav, focusing on implementation of NEP-2022. Speaking at the event, Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar underlined the importance of education in the country’s development.
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4. PM MODI INAUGURATED 'KASHI TAMIL SANGAMAM': On November 19, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated a month long 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' in Varanasi to rediscover, reaffirm and celebrate the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. More than 2500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will visit Kashi over a one month period. While inaugurating the Sangamam PM said that Kashi and Tamil Nadu were two cultures closely associated with Lord Shiva and the confluence of the two places was as sacred as the Sangam of Ganga and Yamuna. Uttar Pradesh  Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel, Union ministers Dr L Murugan, Dharmendra Pradhan, MP Ilaiyaraaja were also present on the occasion during which Ilaiyaraaja enthralled the audience through his recitals.
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5. SANGH SHIKSHA VARG TRITIYA VARSH COMMENCED IN NAGPUR SANGH SHIKSHA VARG: Tritiya Varsh Sangh Shiksha Varg of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh commenced at the Maharshi Vyas Sabhagriha, Dr. Hedgewar Smriti Bhavan premises in Reshimbagh, Nagpur from November 14.

While addressing the participants gathered from across the nation, Arun Jain, Palak Adhikhari of the varg, highlighted the importance of Sangh Shiksha Varg in Swayamsevak’s life. He said that trained Swayamsevak’s have a big role in social change. The faith and curiosity towards Hindutva and Bharat has increased in the world. The importance of the virtuous Bharatiya way of life has also come to the fore during the Corona period. Favourability towards Hindutva has increased. In such a situation, the responsibility of the swayamsevak’s increases and they are trained for it through Sangh Shiksha Varg. 632 swayamsevaks are undergoing training in this 25 day Varg. -GoTop

 
6. 400TH JANMAJAYANTI OF LACHIT BORPHUKAN CELEBERATED: On November 25, Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi addressed the closing ceremony of the year-long celebrations of 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan. During the event in New Delhi, PM Modi also released the book - 'Lachit Borphukan - Assam's Hero who Halted the Mughals'.
Lachit Borphukan was the General of the Royal Army of the Ahom Kingdom of Assam who defeated the Mughals and successfully halted the ever-expanding ambitions of the Mughals under Aurangzeb.

On November 24, Home minister Amit Shah evoked the need to rewrite Bharat’s history to free it from distortions. He stated that a nation which does not derive pride from its glorious past and does not garner inspiration from its heroes can never create a bright future for itself and cannot create better citizens Urging historians and history students to identify 30 great empires of Bharat and 300 warriors, Shah said writing extensively on these warriors who showed exemplary valour to protect the motherland will bring out the truth and the distorted historical narratives will vanish on their own.
He was speaking at a plenary session of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan. Shah said that the 400th year of Lachit Borphukan’s Jayanti has unveiled the stories of all the valorous heroes of Assam before the students of history to research and explore. These heroes includes Maharaj Prithu of Assam who defeated Bakhtiar Khilji in 1206 to Lachit Barphukan who defeated Mughals in 1671.
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7. SC: FORCED CONVERSION TO IMPERIL NATIONAL SECURITY: The Supreme Court on November 14 said that forced religious conversion may pose a danger to national security and impinge on the religious freedom of citizens. The apex court warned a “very difficult situation” will emerge if proselytisation through deception, allurement and intimidation is not stopped and asked the Centre to step in and make sincere efforts to tackle the “very serious” issue.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking direction to the Centre and States to take stringent steps to control fraudulent religious conversion by “intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits”.
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8. MAURITIUS SANGH SHIKSHA VARG: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Mauritius successfully conducted 7 days Sangh Shiksha Varga (SSV) from November 20 - 26 at DAV college in Morcellement Saint Andre village. 62 Swayamsevaks and 14 Sevikas from 14 places participated in this first post pandemic SSV. Bauddhik sessions were conducted on the vision and mission of HSS and essence of Prarthana.

On November 26, a path-sanchalan with ghosh was performed at Village Triolet. Around 130 people attended the samarop function on November 26. The highlight of the Samarop was demonstration of sharirik learned during the SSV. Chief guest of the Samarop Shri Govind, Chairman - Mauritius Sanatan Dharma Temple Federation, appreciated HSS activities and mentioned the need for such activities on a regular basis among the youth. Shri Jagan Mohan, HSS Pracharak, highlighted the global presence of HSS and the importance of sanskars. HSS Mauritius Karyavah Pawan Beekam and Sahsanghachalak Dr Riwij Oodum were also present on the occasion. -GoTop


9.  HINDU CIVILIZATION EXHIBITION, DARSHANA, CONTINUES TO BE WELL RECEIVED AT STATE CAPITOLS: The Hindu Community of Illinois held an exhibition, "Darshana – A Glimpse into Hindu Civilization," at the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois, on November 15.

It was also introduced in the Illinois State House by State Representative Daniel Didech and on the State senate floor by State senators Laura Murphy, Ram Villivalam and Adriane Johnson. Over 40 state legislators attended the exhibition and provided positive feedback. This exhibition has already been showcased in 165 cities, including Capitol Hill (Washington D.C.), state capitols, City Halls, Universities, public libraries, schools, and inter-faith groups. -GoTop


10. RAMAYANA VAIBHAVAM CONTEST CONDUCTED: On October 1, South West Vibhag of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS USA organised 16 different contests for baal and shishus based on 16 Kalyana Gunas of Shri Rama with the aim to learn and imbibe the qualities of Shri Rama. 110 children participated in these contests and six new families were introduced to HSS.

' Ramayan Vaibhavam' contest was a unique for the fact that it focused on gunas rather than just the story of Ramayana. The activities for the contest included interviewing parent and grandparents regarding the gunas, talking about the gunas, categorising action scenarios as right/wrong, identifying incidents from their lives when such gunas were demonstrated and video, card and poster making. Along with the children even parents and grandparents were involved in discussing the gunas. Parents were happy to note children were able to relate to the gunas in their day to day lives. -GoTop


11. HSS DALLAS-FORTWORTH: SEWA DIWALI: On November 12, Plano Police Department helped the Sewa Diwali Dallas team with a mega food drop-off at the North Texas Food Bank.  More than forty communities in over sixty vehicles donated around 27892 pounds of food. HSS-SEWA volunteers of Dallas-Fortwoth worked together with multiple communities and Hindu American organizations to bring food to those in need.  Plano Police Department thanked HSS and Sewa International for coordinating and bringing all the communities and organizations together for this drive.
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12. OVER 40 MISSIONS HEADS VISITED CELLULAR JAIL: On November 25, more than 40 mission heads and international organisations visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the G20 curtain raiser. The delegates took a tour of the Cellular Jail where author and ideologue Veer Savarkar was lodged by the British. G20’s Bharat coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla and G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant accompanied the delegates during the tour.

Shri Kant said that the journey was started from Andamans because unsung freedom fighters of Bharat were imprisoned in the cellular jail there and so it was thought fit that many of our freedom fighters should tell their stories to all the foreigners and ambassadors, as well as leading international organisations and all the invitees. British High Commissioner to Bharat Alex Ellis said, “Cellular Jail, Port Blair is a part of the past here. It’s important for someone in my position to bear witness and acknowledge some of the shameful acts perpetrated there. It’s a place I show respect to and understanding of.”-GoTop


13. AYURVEDA DAY CELEBRATED IN BALI: In October, International Ayurveda Day with the theme of ‘Every Day, Everywhere Ayurveda’ was organised in Bali by International Centre for Cultural Studies in association with Universitas Hindu Indonesia, Fakultas Kesehatan Ayurweda UNHI and other organizations.

The activities included making Herbal Oil On Campus, medicinal plant gardening and Baksos (community social service) at Banjar Tembau Tengah, Denpasar.  Mr. Prakash Cand, Consul general, Consulate of Bharat in Bali attended the concluding event on October 23 in which Dr. Ida Bagus Sutama, Faculty of Health, UNHI, spoke on how traditional Balinese Health services can be uplifted and promoted through Ayurveda Day. Many scholars including Naveen Meghwal, director of Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural centre, Drs. Ida Bagus Suatama Dean, health faculty of Ayurveda, Universitas Hindu Indonesia, Denpasar, Bali and Dr. Abhishek Joshi, Chair of Ayurveda, UNHI addressed the congress.
This event was intended to introduce Ayurveda and Usadha Bali to Balinese community and raise public awareness about living in harmony with nature through traditional medicine. -GoTop


14. MAURITIUSIAN PRESIDENT, WIFE PAY OBEISANCE AT RAM LAL VIRAJMAN AT AYODHYA: On November 21, a seven member delegation from Mauritius led by President Prithvirajsing Roopun and his wife Sanyukta Roopun paid obeisance at Ram Lala Virajman and offered prayers at Ayodhya.

The President also inspected the grand Ram temple being constructed in Ayodhya and was briefed about the construction updates. He also visited Hanuman Garhi, offered prayers at Kanak Bhawan and inspected Ram Ki Paidi with a boat ride in the Saryu river. President Roopun visited International Ram Katha and was presented a model of Bhagwan Ram temple and a prototype of Veena installed at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk. -GoTop


15. BHARATIYA CANADIAN APPOINTED VICE CHANCELLOR OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY: Bharatiya-origin academic H. Deep Saini has been appointed as Montreal-based McGill University’s 18th Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and will begin his five-year, renewable term from April next year. Saini, who grew up in Punjab, is currently President and Vice-Chancellor of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

Saini completed his Master of Science (Honors) in Botany from Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhia Australia and a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Adelaide. He has earned several awards and recognitions, including honors from the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists, Nanjing University, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medals, in recognition of his service to education and Canada.-GoTop


16. BHARATIYAS STUDENTS INCREASED IN USA AND UK: The number of Bharatiya students in the United States increased by 19 per cent over last year to two lakh, according to an annual Open Doors report released by the Institution of International Education on November 14. The report, sponsored by the US Department of State, reveals the trend of international student exchange for the academic year 2021-22.
Surpassing Chinese nationals, Bharatiya students have now become the largest group of foreign students in the UK, according to the recently released latest Immigration Statistics Report. The data shows that there has been a 77 per cent increase since 2019 in study visas of Bharatiya students. The UK Home Office data collated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that Bharatiya continue to be the top nationality granted visas in the skilled worker category, with 56,042 granted work visas in the past year.  At 36 per cent of the total, they also represented the highest number of visas under the tailored Skilled Worker Health and Care visa.
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17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors: D. N. Pathak - Tanzania, Abhinav Sharma - UK


FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. - Swami Vivekananda
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JAI SHRI RAM

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SANATANA DHARMA IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Ravi K umar Iyyer

Environmentalists and economists, physicists and philosophers, linguists and storytellers, astrologers and astronomers, musicians to mathematicians, all have benefitted from Hinduism.
Hinduism is the third largest and the oldest surviving religion in the world with over one billion (100 crores) people belonging to the faith. Hinduism is not a religion but it is a unique faith. It is a way of life. The teachings of this religion have always attracted people from all around the world as they find in it something relevant to their lives. 
Environmentalists and economists, physicists and philosophers, linguists and storytellers, astrologers and astronomers, musicians to mathematicians, all have benefitted from Hinduism.

PUTIN’S RESPECT FOR HINDUISM : An incident took place in between Interviews of Indian PM Shri Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin and hosted by famous American journalist Megyn Kelly. In between interviews, Journalists asked PM Modi “President Putin said that Russia doesn’t engage in state-sponsored interference with other countries’ elections.
Do you believe that ?” PM Modi replied,” You are talking about America, Germany, Russia, President Trump, Mrs. Hillary, Chancellor Angela Markel, and President Putin. You have been talking about such big people. I don’t think, you need a lawyer like me in between all of you”. With such an unexpected and brilliant reply, the Audience who were sitting there couldn’t control themselves to applause.
President Putin laughingly replied “It’s very hard to deal with Hindus. You cannot trick them because their philosophy is very old. We are very simple people, we say what we think. 
LAWMAKERS’ PRIDE IN HINDUISM : Rishi Sunak the present Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Smt Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad in 2010, Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and Alok Sharma England’s Member of Parliament in 2019 took the oath of office on Bhagwad Gita. Chandrika Persad
Santoshi, the present President of Suriname since 2020, took his oath holding Vedas and reciting Hindu Sanskrit shlokas and mantras. Dr. Gaurav Sharma, New Zealand’s Member of Parliament took oath in 2020 in Sanskrit - thereby becoming the first lawmaker in the country to do so. Basdeo Panday, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago charmed a massive 50,000-person crowd at January’s ‘Puja 2000,’ when he burst into Hanuman Chalisa, a popular Hindu song to Lord Hanuman. 
SANATANA DHARMA ATTRACTS HOLLYWOOD: Julia Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most successful actresses is a practicing Hindu. She said that it makes her a more compassionate and loving person. She has named her children Ganesh, Krishna Balram, and Mahalaxmi. Miley Cyrus, the pop singer, and actress is a Hindu worshiper. Sometimes back, she was in the news for sharing a picture of Lakshmi Pooja in her house. Angelina Jolie, the famous Hollywood star adopted a Buddhist child in 2002. Since then, Jolie accepted Buddhist learning as an integral part of her life. She has four Buddhist Sanskrit prayers of protection among her tattoos. Russell Brand, the famous comedian, and actor, follows transcendental meditation and actively follows Hinduism. He had a Hindu wedding with American celebrity Katy Perry in 2010 in a traditional Hindu ceremony near the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan. Robert Downey Jr, the Iron-Man star is a firm believer in the Hare Krishna ideology. Hugh Jackman the Wolverine star, follows the Upanishads and Bhagwad Gita. He has a Sanskrit inscription engraved wedding ring. Jackie Hung, a famous actor from Hong Kong and a martial arts expert is also deeply influenced by the Sanatan Dharma after a visit to Chennai. Ricky Williams,
a famous American soccer player has a deep interest in yoga, meditation, and Hindu rituals. He has an Aum tattoo on his right hand. 
SANATAN DHARMA’S SPIRITUALISM WILL SHOW THE PATH TO FUTURE BILLIONAIRES : Hindu Sadhu Neem Karoli Baba died in 1973 but continues to enchant several high-profile Americans including Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, Apple founder Steve Jobs and Daniel Goleman author of the best-selling book Emotional Intelligence. In 1974 Steve Jobs stayed in the ashram of Neem Karoli Baba. Baba’s favorite fruit the apple became the logo of one of the world's most renowned companies.
Influenced by Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, visited Neem Karoli Baba's ashram. Larry Brilliant took Google's Larry Page and Jeffrey Skoll, co-founder of eBay, on a pilgrimage to his ashram. George Harrison, who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles was attacked in 1999.
Harrison was hospitalized with more than 40 stab wounds, and
part of his punctured lung was removed. He released a statement soon afterward saying, “Adi Shankara, an Indian historical, spiritual person, once said, 'Life is fragile like a raindrop on a lotus leaf.' And you'd better believe it." A quotation from the Bhagavad Gita is included in his final album's liner notes: "There never was a time when you or I did not exist. Nor will there be any future when we shall cease to be."
Over half a million Russians and Ukrainians and thousands of Africans in Ghana have adopted Hinduism. Jagannath Rath Yatras, vegetarian restaurants, yoga centers, Sanskrit classes, and Bhagwad Gita study centers are a common scene in most cities of the world. St James Internationals are running more than 40 schools across the globe, where Sanskrit, Bhagwad Gita, Vedic Chantings, and Vedic Mathematics are compulsory.
CREMATION BECOMES POPULAR IN WESTERN NATIONS: Cremation is a Hindu method of the final disposition of a dead body through burning. Though burial is the norm in Christian-majority western nations more people are opting for cremations. The cremation rate varies considerably across countries with Japan reporting a 99% cremation rate. The cremation rate in the United Kingdom is 75.44%
in 2015 and the cremation rate in the United States in 2016 was 50.2 percent. As of 2019, countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Thailand have cremation rates ranging from 80% to 99%. During the corona pandemic authorities in many countries encouraged rapid cremations. Albert Einstein, Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Sigmund Freud, Walt Disney, and English poet PB Shelly are some of the celebrities who were cremated. Wangari Maathai, an environment activist from Kenya and the first African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize was cremated in a Hindu crematorium amidst chantings of the Bhagwad Gita.
George Harrison, the famous guitarist of the Beatles died in 2001 in the company of Hare Krishna devotees Shyama Sundar Das and Mukunda Goswami chanted verses from the Bhagavad Gita. He died peacefully with Hare Krishna prayers on his lips.
He was cremated in California. His close family scattered his ashes according to Hindu tradition in a private ceremony in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers near Varanasi, India. Action star Sylvester Stallone sent his family to Haridwar to perform a shradh of his son. Church attendance has dwindled in most western countries. Hundreds of Churches are being auctioned and purchased by BAPS, ISKCON, India, Fiji, Sri Lankan and
Afghan Hindu organizations and converted into Hindu Mandirs. Hindu celebrations in these temples attract Indian and western Hindu devotees in large numbers.
HINDUISM IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES: When Ramayan and Mahabharat TV Serials were telecast in Bharat, millions of Bangladeshi and Pakistani viewers were glued to the TV screens. Even Kashmiri militants were in an undeclared truce mood. Children started addressing elders such as Pitashri, Mata-Shri, and Acharya-Shri. 
NAVROZ CELEBRATED BY LAKHS OF MUSLIMS DESPITE FATWAS : Hindu kings in 1300 BCE ruled the ancient Mitanni and Hittites kingdoms in Syria, the Levant, Anatolia, and parts of Turkey. They taught the Arabs, the use of horse chariots. Hittites and Mitanni's worshipped Hindu Gods Mitra, Varuna, Indra, and Nasatya (Ashvins). Jewish prophet Moses and his followers were able to escape from Egypt
only after the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II was challenged by the Hittite king. Yazidi tribes in the Sinjar mountain regions of Iraq still practice Hindu rituals like worship of snakes, peacocks, fire, aarti, etc. Umar Mohammed, the uncle of Prophet Mohammed wrote a Shiv Stuti in the Arabic language.
The same is engraved in one of the pillars in the yagna mandap in Birla Mandir, New Delhi. Navroz is the New year celebrated by lakhs of Muslims in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and Uyghuristan (Xinjiang). Navroz is based on the Islamic calendar. In the Islamic world, calendric calculations devised by Aryabhata formed the basis of the Jalali calendar was introduced in 1073 CE. Fatwa after fatwas by Islamic clerics has not deterred the masses from celebrating this pre-Islamic Hindu festival. As one Afghan minister clarified, ‘when I say I am a Muslim, I am 1400 years old; but when I celebrate
Navroz I become 6,000 years old.’ 
BHAGWAD GITA - LOVE AND HATE STORIES OF TWO PRIME MINISTERS OF TURKEY : After the 1971 military crackdown on the left, the Upanishads, Gita, and Tagore’s Geetanjali were banned in Turkey. These books had been found, along with the writings of Karl Marx, F. Engels, and V.I. Lenin, in the custody of the university leftist students. But the ban on Indian writings was lifted soon. The Turks have a lot of regard for India, its leaders, civilization, culture, and democracy, despite their support to Pakistan on Kashmir in exchange for the latter’s support of Cyprus.
Bulent Ecevit, a Sanskrit and Bengali scholar opposed the 1971 ultimatum issued by the military.
He translated some poems from Bhagwad Gita and Gitanjali. He served as the Prime Minister of Turkey four times between 1974 and 2002. While one Prime Minister banned Gita and Gitanjali in 1971, Ecevit, the other PM not only lifted the ban but also translated portions of the two books. 
Millions of Muslims in Indonesia join Hinduism:
Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population. But they also have 60 Lac Hindus, mostly in Bali and Java. Majority of the Muslims are proud of their Hindu ancestry. The official mascot of the 1997 Southeast Asian Games played in Indonesia was the Ramayana epic character "Hanuman". The Ramayana, known in Java, Indonesia as Kakawin Ramayana is an Indian epic, which spread into Southeast Asia including the Indonesian archipelago during ancient times. It not only exists in oral and literary works but also serves as the underlying theme for art performances and as the inspiration for other works, such as sculptures, paintings, and literature. Parisada Hindu Dharma, the largest Hindu organization in Indonesia, has succeeded in reconverting millions of Muslims back to Sanatan Dharma through a ritual called Shudhi Wadani. Ifa Sudevi is the Chief Judge of Indonesia. She was a born Muslim. In 2002 Islamic terrorists attacked the country with explosives. She gave the death sentence to all the terror convicts. One of the convicts was even an Imam. After spelling out her judgment, she studied Sanatan Dharma deeply and converted to Hinduism. Kanjen Raden Mahendrani, the princess of Java, the capital of Indonesia, re-converted to Hinduism after she went through a Shudhi Wadani Ritual on July 17, 2017. Sukmawati Sukarnoputri, 69, the daughter of Sukarno, Indonesia’s founding father and the first president also converted from Islam to Hinduism in 2021. 

GROWING HINDUISM IN ARAB COUNTRIES: In October 2022, the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali, was celebrated at the BAPS Hindu Mandir by over 10,000 devotees for the third consecutive year. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence of the UAE, after lighting a lamp, wished everyone a very happy and luminous Diwali.
Earlier Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, and International Day of Yoga were also celebrated in the midst of thousands of devotees and Arab dignitaries. Thousands of Arab men and women have taken a liking for Hindu Bhajans, Ramayana, Mahabharat, Gita, yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. During the visit to Sant Murari Bapu, an Arab lady carried the holy book Ramayana on her head and the Arab dignitary welcomed the audience by uttering Jai Siya Ram. If a Hindu Mandir can come to Arabia before Ayodhya, we can expect Hindu mandirs in Mecca and Madina before Mathura and another mandir in the Vatican before Varanasi. 
WHAT WE HINDUS SHOULD DO; ¨ Hindus should prepare a dictionary showing Sanskrit-based words in Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Russian, and other languages. This will help the neo-Hindus to feel proud. ¨ Short plays based on the moral, family, and eternal values of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagwad Gita should be uploaded in different foreign languages and in Urdu and Kashmiri languages to foster enduring peace. ¨ Efforts should be made to start radio and TV Programs to attract lacs of Baluchs, Sindhis, Iranis, Arabs, Chinese, Indonesians, Marathi-speaking Jews in Israel, Russians, Lithuanians, and Spanish listeners. https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2022/11/15/Hinduism-in-21st-century.html
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