HSS celebrates Hindu New Year in Bangkok

Unity and devotion to Dharma keys to Hindu rejuvenation
-Tarun Vijay

A history was created in Thailand last week when for the first time grand celebration of Hindu new year was organized under the banner of the Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh (HSS) in Bangkok on 3rd April 2009. Shri Tarun Vijay, Director, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and a veteran journalist was the chief guest. Shri Chintamani Tripathi, Sanghchalak, HSS, Thailand, and President, VHP, Thailand presided while Shri Ashok Bajaj, President of the largest Hindu temple Dev Mandir was guest of honour. Several senior leaders of Hindu community and organisations were present on the occasion with a special presence of the cultural secretary from the Indian Embassy Shri Subir Datta.
The programme began with hoisting of Bhagwa Dhwaj and offering flowers at the portraits of King Bhumibal Adulyatej Rama the ninth, Bharat Mata, Dr. Hedgewar and Shri Guruji. Shri Tarun Vijay was warmly welcomed by several leaders of the Hindu organisations and with a scintillating Sangha geet by Shri Suresh, he was requested to give the baudhik. In his baudhik Shri Tarun Vijay gave details of the significance of the Hindu New Year, which is also celebrated in Thailand as Songkrem (13th April to 15th April). He said that Hindus world over are respected for their intelligence, loyalty to the adopted country and peaceful nature.’ Hindus dont bomb the country they adopt' he said amidst the roaring applause.
He appealed the Hindu organisations to shun their differences and forge a unity based on Hindu culture and civilisational moors.’ We are not Biharis, Punjabis or Gujaratis in a foreign land- just emphasize your Hinduness and that alone shall win you a place of honour on a foreign soil. He said Hindus are passing through a most difficult phase in their age old journey when not only they are assaulted geographically but also their soul is bruised and brutalized by the followers of exclusivist ideologies breeding hate and violence. Hindus are the only community in the world which has been assaulted most barbarically just for its faith and colour and a belief in pluralistic principles of universal brotherhood. This South Asian region has become a nightmarish area of attacks on Hindus reducing their geographic presence in an unprecedented manner-from Afghanistan to Dhaka. Hindu presence has been shrinking drastically in this region, he emphasized. Hence its time we must forge unity on the basis of Hindu Dharma, which alone is the guarantee to safeguard pluralism and a respect for the different viewpoint.
He said that Thai King Bhumibal Adulyatej has set a glaring example of devotion to culture and Dharma by naming the Bangkok International airport as Suvarnabhumi, which is an old Sanskrit name of the region. At the aiport the first most gracious and inspiring sculpture of ocean –Churning (Sagar Manthan) by Devas and Asuras with Shri Vishnu in the middle symbolizes the deep cultural affinities of Thai people with Hindus. This spirit of an unapologetic devotion to one’s cultural heritage has to be strengthened and imbibed, he said. He also gave details of the Hindu organisations’ march ahead in Bharat and said that its extraordinary that the largest Hindu organization on this planet has elected 59 year old Mohan Rao Bhagwat, as its global chief with unprecedented changes at every level bringing the young to the forefront of action. This has given a new hope and strengthened the trust in Hindu power that stands for the universal peace, mutual understanding and a harmonious message based on acceptance of cultural pluralism, so essential to resist and defeat nefarious terrorism affecting global societies. He noted that amazingly Ganesh Puja is finding a new popularity in Thailand and almost every home and business establishment has a Ganesh Puja corner that shows a positive sign for the future of this highly modern and forward looking society. In the politically turbulent times in Thailand, we must pray for the stability and peace strengthening the democratic set up, he said. Pt. Lalit Mohan Vyas, Chief Priest of Dev Mandir, called upon all Hindus to adhere to the basic tenets of their dharma. Dharma alone protects he said citing several vedic references.

Shri Dinesh Mani Dubey, Budhik Pramukh (incharge intellectual activities ) said that it’s a great day for the Hindus in Thailand as all the major Hindu organizations have come together to participate the Hindu new year-so rare for the Indian community abroad. He assured that more such programmes shall be organized in future to forge unity and a feeling of togetherness. Shri Umesh Mishra, organizer HSS, Thailand welcomed the guests and said that Hindus must shun their petty differences of language, provincialism and sectarianism so that a unity of purpose is achieved.

Shri Vijay Sharma, a veteran swayasewak conducted the proceedings. Leading stalwarts of the Indian community from difeent sections of Thai society attended the function. Amongst them were Shri Sushil Sarraf, Shri Rajkumar Mahta, Shri Satish Pahwa, Shri Lalit Kishore, Shri Sushil Dhanuka,President of Hindu Dharma Sabha and Chairman Vishnu Mandir Shri Krishna Datta Upadhyaya, and its secretary Shri Om Prakash Mishra, President of Thailand International Gita Ashram Shri Mahesh Agarwal, Shri Tejasvi Shukla, Coordinator of Hindu Buddh Samanvaya Shri Rajkumar Dubey, Shri Parmatma Tripathi, Shri Suresh Dube, and Shri Pramod Dube were amongst the distinguished gathering. Shri Yash, a greatly admired singer of the Hindu Bhajans sang a scintillating song accompanied by Shri Chandrakant.


Dinesh Mani Dube from Bangkok.