[GHHF] Progress Report, Maha Padayatra Culmination, Public Forum, Venue, Speakers

[GHHF] Progress Report, Maha Padayatra Culmination, Public Forum, Venue, Speakers

 

1/2/2009

 

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and Peace on Earth.

Ahimsaa paramo dharmaha

Nonviolence is the supreme Dharma

Dharma himsa tathaiva cha
    So too is violence in service of Dharma

As many of you know that Global Hindu Heritage Foundation started in 2006 to preserve, protect and promote Hinduism. Listed below are some of the accomplishments of our organization. Your support is appreciated.

           It is worth remembering what Hinduism stands for, what it's basic philosophy and it's abiding faith in peaceful coexistence. In the name of religion and in the guise of expanding Hinduism through conversion, Hindus have never conquered any countries, killed people for refusing to be converted, never looted the bounty of others, never discriminated people based on their religion, never tortured, never kidnapped, never pillaged the religious places, never destroyed religious sites, never imposed their will on others,  never believed in exclusive way of belief, and never advocated putting a cross or a sword on the soil any country.    

            When Hindus talk about Hindutva or Ramarajya, they only talk about equal justice, equal rights, equal opportunities, equal liberty, independence, freedom of speech, and peaceful existence. Hinduism always emphasized Dharmic way of life. Dharma is defined in terms of righteous behavior, responsibility, duty and/ or any activity that supports, sustains or upholds. Many scriptures such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavat Purana, Manusmruti, Tirukkural, etc., described Raja dharma (Responsibilities of Rulers) - that is how the rulers should conduct themselves and rule the country

            Bhishma, lying on the bed of arrows, explained to Yudhishthira: "It is very difficult to define Dharma. Dharma was explained as that which helps the elevation of the human beings. The one that assures well-being is assuredly Dharma. The learned rishis declared: that which  supports this is Dharma."  Bhishma further says that dharma was ordained for the advancement and growth of all creatures. Bhishma was equally emphatic in saying that dharma was also ordained for restricting creatures from injuring one another; therefore that which prevents injury to creatures is Dharma. Dharma upholds all creatures, not just human beings. In fact dharma upholds the whole universe. It is clearly stated in Atharva Veda: Prithivim Dharmana dhritam, that is, "this world is upheld by Dharma".  Lord Krishna goes even further saying that dharma upholds this world and beyond. In the Mahabharata, Krishna states: "Dhaaranaad dharma ity aahur dharmena vidhrtaah prajaah, Yat syaad dhaarana sanyuktam sa dharma iti nishchayah", Dharma upholds both this-worldly and the other-worldly affairs (Mbh 12.110.11).

            Rishi Kanada in Vaisesika Sutra delineates a definition of Dharma by its beneficial impact, focusing on discharge of one's responsibility: "That which leads to the attainment of Abhyudaya (prosperity in this world) and Nihsreyasa (total cessation of pain and attainment of eternal bliss hereafter) is Dharma."

            . "Just as the mother Earth gives an equal support to all the beings, a king must give support to all without any discrimination." (Manusmruti).

            "The king must furnish protection to associations following ordinances of the Veda (Nigamas). The protection should extend to all -- those non-believers (paashandi) as well as to others as well." (Naradasmruti, Dharmakos'a, p: 870).

            The Upanishads also gave equal importance in protecting dharma. They describe dharma as the universal principle of law, order, and harmony.  Dharma is not just law, or harmony. It is described as pure, truth or Reality. In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.14.2) it clearly states thus:

                    "Verily, that which is Dharma is truth.

                    Therefore they say of a man who speaks truth, 'He speaks the Dharma,'

                    

            Scriptures clearly delineated the responsibility of each individual as well as rulers (Manava dharma and Raja dharma respectively). Every Hindu should uphold his responsibility to his family, friends, community, fellow beings and religion. Dharma gives total freedom to discharge their responsibilities without imposing it's will on the individuals. Over the years Hindus have neglected their responsibility to sustain, support and uphold their religion. Even though many Hindus may go to the Temples and donate, they failed to take the responsibility of managing our Hindu Temples and advancing Hindu culture. Hindus have become passive, indifferent, ignorant and unaware of the potential danger to their Hindu way of life. Many Hindus do not ever realize that many Hindu Temples in many states are under the government control. Instead of discharging the moral responsibility of managing, preserving and advancing the Hindu Temples and Hindu culture, some of the state governments have literally destroying these Hindu Temples by selling their lands, looting their funds, allowing encroachment of their lands, neglecting their renovations, and allowing Temples to be dilapidated.  All Hindus should look at the condition of these Temples in India and see how they can take an active role in reversing the trend.  Since government did not take over the Mosques and Churches, all Hindu should

ask the question "Why should the secular government take over only Hindu Temples but not other religious institutions?"  The answer is clear. Many Hindus failed to do their dharma in upholding their religion. In fact it is Hindus who should be blamed for not discharging their Manava Dharma. Hindus have to take proactive role in taking their Hindu Temples back into their hands by using various means such as contacting local politicians and government officials, write in, sit- ins, marches, protest, demonstrations etc to see that the Endowment Act is repealed. Hindu should manage their Temples. Government which is supposed to be secular, is basically discriminating Hindus, violating human rights of Hindus, denying their right to manage their Temples. Government has no business in interfering with the management of Hindu Temples. Hindus should be united to advocate the repeal of the endowment Act.   It is the dharma of all Hindus to protect their way of life, liberty, freedom and justice. Neglect of their dharma will lead to the denial of rights. Once Hindus loose their right to their freedom, liberty and justice, they become prey to the dominance of other religions, prey to the forced conversion and eventual extinction of  Hindu way of life. Please Ponder. Please protect what is yours. Please prevent the onslaught of terror and violence.

          It is time to remember the motto "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha."  If you protect dharma, dharma will protect you. Undoubtedly dharma is vital and pivotal to protect what is yours.  Hindus have to wake up and protect their freedom of speech, liberty, independence, and freedom of faith. Otherwise they will be taken away by the government and other evangelical religions. Once gone, they are gone forever. History of last 14 centuries has shown us what happened to our forefathers. They were tortured, converted, looted, raped and killed broad day light. The indifference of Hindus toward the preservation of dharma is lamented by Sage Veda Vyasa when he stated:

Oorddhva baahurviromyesha na kashchit shrnothi me
Dharmaath artthasha kaamascha kim na sevyati?

I throw up my hands and shout: From Dharma come wealth and love; Why doesn't anybody listen?

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation and Progress Report

Mission:

The main goal of our organization is to reclaim our Hindu Temples, lands, and revenues from the government so that Hindu Temple resources can be used solely for the preservation and protection Hindu heritage. The Hindu Endowment Act was supposed to preserve and protect the Hindu Temples. Instead the government is on the mission of destroying our culture by selling the Temple lands, misusing the Temple revenues, allowing encroachment of lands, demolish the Temples and totally ignoring renovation of the Temples only to insult, offend, ridicule and hurt the Hindu people depriving them of their right to manage their own Temples and preserve their heritage. All the political parties are testing our patience, robbing our soul, clouding our minds and usurping our fundamental human rights by sowing the seeds of injustice, and destroying righteousness in the society. It is time to free Hindu Temples from the government bondage, slavery and servitude. India gained independence in 1947 while Hindus lost their independence in their own country in spite of their nearly 80 percent presence.  Let us pool our intelligence, wisdom and independent thinking to free ourselves from the shackles of government control.  Your Support is crucial and essential.    

Progress Report & Accomplishments

1 Started Global Hindu Heritage Foundation in November 2006. Received IRS Tax Exempt Status

            Objective: Repeal Endowment Act to preserve, protect and promote Hindu religion

2) Went to High court and got stay Order for GO 21 which was intended to use government money for the construction of New Churches and renovation of the existing churches.

3) Started Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi in December 2006 with Sri M Kamal Kumar as the head of the organization.

4) Challenged and got stay orders for 15 Cases from selling Temple lands

5) Organized Demonstration during Chief Ministers visit to Chicago in May 2007, met with him, submitted 21 concerns. It was covered in eleven newspapers and almost all TV stations

6) Organized Public Forum in Satya Sai Nigamagamam in Hyderabad in June 2007 where  more than 15 speakers addressed nearly 1200 people about the need to scrap Endowment Act.

7) Half an interview was done on Gemini TV on the plight of Hindu Temples.

8) Government passed Anti Conversion Law which prohibits the propagation of other religions near and around major Temples in June 2007.

9) Government declared all 7 hills to be the property of Venkateswara Temple recognizing the boundaries that existed in 1857 during British Period

10) Started Pada Yatra to awaken the Hindu the impending dangers to Hindu temple and Hindu culture for four month covering Rayalaseema and Telangana areas in September 2007-2008 .

11) Held public Forum in Tirupathi in January 25, 2008; 11,000 people from almost all the districts of Andhra Pradesh attended.

12) Met with Jayendra Saraswati, Vijayendra Saraswati, Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji, Datta Vijayananda Swamiji, Swami Sukhabodhananda, Swami Chidatmananda, Vishwamji, Dayananda Saraswati and others such Sri Rama Jois, Sri P Ramadas (Secretary,  Parliamentary Affairs, Karnataka) requesting them to take active part in protecting the Hindu Temples.

13) Dhupa Deepa Naivedyam project was initiated by the government for selected Temples.

14) An Amendment to Endowment Act was passed. We vehemently opposed the composition of the formation Apex Committee that would have managed and supervised the Temples

15) Dr. Subramanian Swamy and eight GHHF representatives met with Chief Minister and Opposition leader in February 2008 requesting them to repeal Endowment Act and requested them to hand over the formation of Apex Committee to Acharya Sabha and HDPS.

16) Organized a number of protests in different villages where the Temple lands were to be sold.

17)  Started Maha Pada Yatra 2 started on August 16 2008 and it will conclude in February 16, 2009. You are all welcome. A huge Public Rally is planned in Tirupathi – expecting 35,000 people or more

18) Attended a number of conferences and presented papers on the plight of Hindu Temples in Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, Dallas, Raleigh, New Jersey, Washington DC, Stroutsburgh, Wilmington, etc; spoke at a number Temples about saving Temples, visited a number of other cities to speak about our mission to make people aware of the impending danger to preservation of Hindu Temples and eventually Hindu Culture.

19) Steps are being undertaken to challenge the existing Hindu Religious and Charitable Hindu Endowment Act in High Court and Supreme Court with the support of Dr. Subramanian Swamy.

20) Organized Fund Raiser in New Jersey by showing Kumarasambhavam Dance Program and Musical concert which was attended by more than 500 people who were made aware of the plight of Hindu Temples.

Maha Pada Yatra 2

            Sri Kamal Kumar Swami who is undertaking the Maha Pada Yatra 2 to make all Hindus aware of the potential danger to the preservation of Hinduism through the destruction of the Temples by other religions, bomb blasts, conversion, appeasement of minorities, special privileges granted at the expense of Hindus, killing of Saints and discrediting the saints.

            As many of you know that the Maha Pada Yatra 2 started on August 16, 2008 and continue until February 16, 2009. He and his associates have been traveling to many villages and towns, visiting numerous Temples, and collecting information on the dilapidated Temples, lands encroached, and lands sold. So far he visited Sri Kakulam  district, Vijayanagaram District, Vishakhapatnam District,  East Godavari District,  West Godavari District, Kammam district, Krishna District and Guntur District. Now the team is going through Prakasam District.  It is gratifying to note that large number of people are attending the meetings held in front of the Temples to hear Sri Kamal Kumar talk of preserving the Hindu Temples so that Hindu culture will be maintained. In all his speeches he is encouraging people to go to Temples regularly with their family members, have family meal regularly, and take the responsibility of caring and maintaining the Temple.

Main Speakers at the Public Forum.

 We have invited a number of Acharyas, Swamijis, Peetadhipatis, Political Leaders, Religious Leaders and other interested  and Hindu leaders as Special Guests to speak on the importance of preserving our Temples and Culture. Speakers who agreed to attend and give message as follows:

1) Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arshavidya Gurukulam) USA

2) Sri Sreenivasa Ramanuja Jeera Swamy (Hyderabad)\

3) Sri Sachidananda Saraswati (Tuni)

4) Sri Swaroopanandendra Saraswati (Visakhapatnam)

5) Sri Swami Paripoornananda Saraswati (Sreepeetham, Kakinada)

6) Sri Krishna Yaji Swamy (Srikakulam)

7) Sri Narasimha Bharati Swamy, Pushpagiri Peetham, Hyderabad

8) Sri Madhavananda Saraswathi Swamy, Medak District

9) Sri Yogananda Saraswathi (Sri Gopala Krishna Mutt, Adilabad)

10) Sri Swami Paripoornananda Swami (Malyalam Swami)

11) Dr. Subramanian Swamy (President, Janata Party)

12) Sri P V R K Prasad, IAS

13) Dr. T. Hanuman Chowdary

14)  Sri Siva Kalyana Bharathi (Guntur)

 15) Sri R. Venkatanaryanan IAS

            We are expecting others to accept our invitation soon.

 VENUE:

            Nehru Municipal High School Grounds, Tirupathi

 YOU ARE INVITED.

This Maha Padaytra will continue through hundreds of villages and finally reach Tirupathi on February 16, 2009. We will have huge rally with invited guests from different organizations who are committed to free the Hindu Temples from the clutches of government. You are all welcome to attend the Public Forum being planned in Tirupathi on February 16. You support to preserve and protect our Hindu Temples and Hindu culture is appreciated.

  Budget for each District in Rupees

            Mahapada Yatra 2 started on August 16, and will conclude on February 16, 2009. The break down of the expenses is given below. Please be generous.

Mahapada Yatra. ..2                                       
            Banners each district  1000                                                   100,000-00
            Pamphlets Each district 100000                                             25,000.00

            Wall posters  5000                                                                20,000-00
            Saffran flags + Kanduvas (Shawls)  5000                             50,000-00
            Torams & dollers     100000                                                  25,000-00
            Radham Maintenance (desiel+driver+ )2000km+                 25,000-00
            Stickers  50000                                                                       50,000-00
            Sri Venkateswara Swamy Photos small size 20000                20,000-00
            Press overage                                                                          50,000-00
            District wise programs & karyakartas expenses                      35,000-00
                        Total for each District                                                   Rs. 400,000-00

                        Approximately                                 ($10,000)

    For all 11 (eleven) districts, the proposed budget is $100,000

Donations.

          We are expecting around 30,000 – 35,000 people to participate in the Public Forum in Tirupathi on February 16, 2009. For over night accommodation and two meals for all of the attendees, stage set up, decoration, sound system and other local arrangements would cost about $50,000.  Your generous donations to complete the Maha Pada Yatra to awaken the Hindus about the plight of Hindu Temples and the impending danger of illegal conversion techniques are essential. We are requesting all the individuals and organizations to support financially to continue our movement to free Hindu Temples from the government control and stop these conversions.