Videos: Hindu Identity (why, what, how) & Tsumani's Untold Stories

HINDU IDENTITY   http://beingdifferentbook.com/arsha-vidya/   A few years back, I conducted a survey among Indian American youth and their parents to identify issues of concern. The complex question of Hindu identity emerged as a controversial topic.   The above video is of a 15 minute talk I gave at a prominent ashram in Pennsylvania, in which I argued why such an identity is valid in USA in response to the issues commonly raised. I was given 7 minutes and took more, and yet there is still a lot left to discuss. TSUNAMI: UNTOLD STORIES   http://beingdifferentbook.com/tsunami-the-untold-story/   Soon after the 2004 tsunami, I went to the worst affected areas in Tamil Nadu for several weeks, in order to understand the loss, not only the physical loss suffered but also the emotional, cultural and psychological losses. Issues related to dharma of the villagers and their identities came up frequently. Western church evangelism was very aggressive and became an important topic. I learned many things that were captured in the above 33 minute video, including: AIM For Seva was doing exemplary relief work across multiple dimensions while respecting local culture. Various foreign churches (World Vision, etc.) had far greater funds and had set up tent townships to gain media publicity; but many locals found this disingeneous. I filmed a famous, massive cathedral nearby for its inculturation tactics. Villagers' jati identity was strong despite official attempts to suppress it; most jatis had their own local deity, typicall a form of the Hindu Goddess. I interviewed a priest at a famous temple, who was from a community classified as "backward caste" but who felt empowered to lead worship among people of all communities for 50 years, just as his father did before him. The government had classified ancient temples as "secular" monuments and banned worship, but the worship was still being done. An orthodox priest explains to a woman of my team as to why women should not chant Vedas, and a long argument develops. My camera crew captured 50+ hours of footage over a period of many days. But given the urgency to bring this messsage back to USA for fund raising, the material was shortened into a very brief film. The result of the successful campaign was that Infinity Foundation raised funds to help AIM For Seva build and operate a youth hostel for victims of the tsunami. Today it is a fully functioning education center providing a valuable service, and a living example that foreign funding is not the only way to provide relief in India.         Our latest book:   www.BeingDifferentBook.com   Email me at: RajivMalhotra2007@gmail.com Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

This message was sent to yaishwaryaj@gmail.com from: Rajiv Malhotra | 66 Witherspoon Street PMB 400 | Princeton, NJ 08542

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