Cover Story: Hindu Renaissance

Intro: VHP aims at ‘Hindu Safety, Prosperity and Dignity’ taking HINDU AHEAD in cultural values, education, jobs, professional work, science and in every field of life while pursuing Hindu values, goals and aspirations.

The organisation that began 50 yrs back in 1964 in Mumbai with inspiration and support of Shri Guru Golvalkar ji and in presence of noted social and religious leaders like Swamy Chinamayanand ji, Jain Munishri Susheel Kumar ji, Sikh leader Master Tarasingh ji, Shri Kanhaiyalal Munshi ji who along with Sardar Patel ensured Bhagwan Somnath temple reconstruction and many other prominent ones, now has come to be a full grown Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree) – a logo of VHP! The social, political and economic condition of Hindus was dismal then. Hindu Dharma that had spread all over the world once had shrunk to one or two countries with Nepal being the only declared Hindu Rashtra. Politically, Hindu was oppressed for over 1000 yrs by various rules from Mughals, Afghans, Turks, Brits, Dutch, French and what not. Hindusthan was looted by them and by many other invaders. Economically, Bharat that once was number 1 in global trade had shrunk to a petty 1%.
When Brits left Bharat in 1947 they left behind the English education which was bestowed only on a select few to be their clerks, large rail network and the most confused administration systems. They also left a permanent scar of divided Bharat in the form of Pakistan and thereby an incurable septicemia and wounds that are still bleeding in the form of Kashmir and most border states. Manipulating such situations, Hindu was targeted in many ways. VHP was founded to work for Hindu welfare, spreading values of Hindu Dharma among the society and protection of Hindus nationally and globally.

The task wasn’t easy. Governments were vicious; modern education and international pressures had set in a kind of fashion to discard everything that was religious and Hindu had no experience of any such social organisation for her / him as a society for long! VHP went on to build the organisation in all states. From the Hindu society that had no say in polity, economy, cultural values to a formidable voice – VHP then built the foundation of a strong voice for Hindus.
Social awareness was the key to all VHP activities. Selfless volunteers with no greed or wish for name and fame worked tirelessly. Today too the Team VHP has this spirit inbuilt. What started as a small sapling in Saandipani Aashram in Mumbai in 1964 on Shrikrishna Janmaashtami, now has become a large Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree) with its branches rooted deep in the ground and leaves so rejuvenated and branches so thick that today Hindus as a society and as an individual do not feel helpless or abandoned. Whenever any incident related to Hindu Dharma or a Hindu takes places, as a habit now people ask, ‘Where is VHP?’ This question comes from the deep faith that VHP is always there for me. It takes a lot to build this social credibility for any organisation that is neither a Govt nor a corporate. Meaning, with no power to rule, no own funds to support Hindus and no congenial media rather, antagonised media! VHP has built its credibility as a ‘Hindu Protector’ over the years.
Apart from the much known activities like Bhagwan Ram Temple agitation, Rameshwaram Ram Setu movement, Amarnath pilgrim support and many such, VHP now has its work spread in all parts of the society. With 56,000 Chapters of VHP all India, 54,000 of Bajrang Dal, 8000 of women’s wing / Durga Vaahini VHP has its presence in total Hindu lives.
In the field of education, in 51,000 towns / villages, 20 Lakh (2 million) children are being given regular standard primary education; over 1 Lakh High School students are studying in VHP schools and many of them show excellent board exam results and go ahead with the best education. Many of the students from VHP schools who came from tribal areas or the poor families are now settled as senior IAS / IPS officers; corporate heads and in other noted professions. VHP runs 46 orphanages in many areas.
For health, VHP has dispensaries, ambulances all over India. Now recently has announced a special consultancy service free for the poor patients.
With 50 hostels for girls, VHP has been helping poor girls in their studies and furthering their lives brilliantly. Women’s Self Help Groups all over India run by VHP have made thousands of families self-sufficient and happy. For specially affected geographical areas, VHP runs special services. E.G. for the Haflong area near Nagaland, VHP has been running residential schools and other support services. This is just one example. From Chattisgad to Odisha, VHP runs many schools for standard education.
Hindu society had been affected by untouchability and caste discrimination. VHP took lead to work on the issue. In Udupi (Karnataka) Conference of Shankaracharya ji , Saints and social leaders, the resolution was passed as a Dharma Decision: Hindava Sarve Sahodaraha (meaning: All Hindus are brothers); untouchability and caste discrimination have no space in Hindu Society and more importantly, untouchability and caste discrimination have NO religious sanction. This was the revolutionary step then. VHP did not stop at just passing the resolution. Shankaracharya ji, saints and VHP volunteers went town to town, village to village, walked lanes, went to houses and made people aware of the resolution as well as the benefits of Hindus being united as a society. This was definitely the Hindu renaissance!
VHP has activities in over 100 countries supporting Hindus there. In US, VHP runs Sunday classes and summer camps for giving knowledge of Hindu Art and Culture to the third generation kids of Indians settled there. To give such values among children VHP runs ‘Baal Samskaar Kendras’ (Children’s Cultural Centers) among families in many towns.
Conversion has been a big problem in India. VHP has a separate division to handle ‘home-coming’ of those who wish to return to their ancestors’ faith / tradition. This way just in last 10 yrs, 5 Lakh Christians and 2 Lakh Muslims have come back to their ancestors’ faith / traditions.
Cow / Cow progeny protection has been VHP’s work all along. VHP has saved over 100,000 cows from being slaughtered. Now taking the work scientifically and socially ahead, VHP did a long research on the medicinal properties of Cow Urine and with the help of scientific results, it has got an international patent for Cow Urine Extracts in treating Breast Cancer in the slowing the speed of spread of this Cancer.
VHP ran a special route pilgrimage a decade back from Ganga Sagar to Kashi meeting people from villages on the banks on the entire route. Today, the results are showing in socio-political movement for clean Ganga!
VHP has embarked on a path of ‘Hindu Ahead’. With 24 hrs call center HHL has handled 85,000 calls past 3 yrs of launch helping Hindus in 4 Dhaam catastrophes as well as in individual emergencies.
50 yrs back, it was inspired by the then Param Poojaneeya Sarsangha Chaalak ji Ma. Guru Golvalkar ji VHP began its work for Hindus and today, launched in March 2012 by Param Poojaneeya Sarsangha Chaalak ji Ma. Dr Mohanji Bhagwat, ‘Hindu Ahead’ speaks of VHP’s leaps ahead. Now VHP aims at ‘Hindu Safety, Prosperity and Dignity’ taking HINDU AHEAD in cultural values, education, jobs, professional work, science and in every field of life while pursuing Hindu values, goals and aspirations.
It is time that every Hindu comes ahead for solidarity of Hindus. Today’s media does not recognise Hindu sentiments and Hindu organisation’s positive social work. While increasing the number of schools / colleges / orphanages, VHP is looking forward to start a special TV channel for better outreach. Social media has already become a part of VHP now. Millions of youth are associated with VHP via Face Book, Twitter, What’s App and other such. All Hindus need to come ahead to support Hindu progress as it is conventionally said, Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah (Religion protects those who protect religion) and ‘Life begins at 50!’
Hindu Renaissance has begun. Let us together make a difference!
Dr Pravin Togadia (The writer is President VHP- International,
[email protected])