Cover Story: 7 Parallel Conferences45 Sessions, 200 Speakers

With Sangachchhadhwam Samvadadhwam (Step together, Express together) as the guiding principle, the WHC had seven parallel conferences on different topics like women, media, youth, organisations, economics, education and politics. Each conference specifically dealt with the area of strategic importance to the global Hindu community articulating specific solutions to deal with the obstacles blocking the Hindus’ progress in the respective areas.

The conference on Economics was held under the banner of World Hindu Economic Forum and aimed at providing a global platform to Hindu businessmen, professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs to play an important role in the world economy as well as play a decisive role in making Hindu society prosperous. UK based leading businessman Shrinathpuri underlined the contribution of Hindu entrepreneurs world over. Chairman of London Chambers of Commerce and Industries Shri Subhash Thakkar stressed the need on moré involvement of Hindu entrepreneurs in world business. USINPAC, USA president Sanjay Puri, founder of Option Town, USA Shri Sachin Goel and delegates from Surinam, Guyana, South Africa also shared their views.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Dr Nirmala Sitharaman said the investment by NRIs in abroad is much more than what they have done in their country. They should get conscious now with their investments as there is less than 1% growth in Europe. “We welcome them to invest in Bharat”, she said. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that India have to come at par with the Chinese economy. Shri Ravindra Dev, Sanghachalak of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Guyana said businessmen of Indian origin settled in abroad have forgotten their own identity. It’s time for them to recall back the glory.
The Hindu Education Conference conducted by Hindu Education Board aimed at creating and networking educational resources for civilisational re-emergence. Since the world is rapidly moving towards becoming a knowledge based society, it is necessary to ensure that all members of the society receive quality and affordable education regardless of their social and economic status. Union Minister of HRD Smt. Smriti Irani said education system should focus on imparting values of humanity to the students. She said all governments and university libraries will be digitalised so that free education could be possible for all. Prof. Kapil Kapoor focussed on how we can rejuvenate the education system based on values. Prof. Balbir Tomar of NIMS Jaipur, Swamini Parmananda from Poorna Vidya Foundation, Coimbatore, Prof. Rajnish Mishra from JNU, Stephen Adolf of Jeeva Institute, Faridabad, also shared their views. Former ISRO Chairman Prof. G Madhvan Nair and RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr Krishna Gopal also spoke.
Hindu Women Conference conducted by Hindu Women Forum was presided by Rashtra Sevika Samiti Pramukh Sanchalika V Shantakka. She spoke on the role of women in politics and social activities. Minister of State for Commerce Dr Nirmala Sitharaman spoke on women’s participation in politics and social leadership. She said there are various examples of how women have had a role in politics which is not narrowed to holding positions. “She is a journalist cum a politician cum a woman activist cum a historian cum a dancer… tell me how many men can match up to that? So what we need is we should have our achievements recorded. Document your work, show it out. We are not speaking only for ourselves but it is a contribution to women in every segment of our life as we have always had but in 21st century it requires a certain narration…that’s what is missed out on,” she said.
Former IPS Dr Kiran Bedi spoke about 4S model of Saksharta, Swachchhata, Sakshamata and Sanskar. “India needs these 4S… As bureaucrats, social workers, teachers, mothers, parents…you cannot leave it to one man only. You cannot just leave to a small Cabinet only. You cannot leave it only to the council of ministers; we have to be there wherever we are. We should be seen to be driving this movement… This lies in the hands of women. If we are determined to go beyond the rhetoric, beyond the speeches, if we get into the mode of actual action and not for photo opportunities, you will see India changing within next two years,” she said.
At Hindu Media Conference conducted by Hindu Media Forum film-maker Priyadarshan said at one moment we started realising that many of our cities and towns have to change their names because of the wrong pronunciations of the Britishers… So I would like to ask if Bombay can become Mumbai, Madras can become Chennai, Calcutta can become Kolkata, why can’t Bollywood also change its name? That should be the beginning”. Film actress from South Sukanya Ramesh, CEO of Media Institute Amitabha Datta, Dinamalar associate editor RR Gopal, Jwalant Swaroop of Lokmat also spoke.
The Hindu Political Conference conducted by World Hindu Democratic Forum discussed on providing a platform to Hindu Parliamen-tarians, Legislators, Ministers, Diplomats and Aspiring Politicians from all over the world, so that Hindu politicians can develop strategies to strengthen Hindu society in their respective countries. Highlighting the plight of Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka, Justice CV Wigneswaran, CM Northern Province, Sri Lanka at the Hindu Political Conference said, “We are very conscious of the unity that is essential from the point of view from the group level. We are trying to forge understanding and unity as far as the larger group of Hindus is concerned because the Hindus form 80-85% of the Tamil-speaking population of the northern and eastern provinces. So we would like to bring united understanding with regard to how we should be able to go forward”.
Retired IPS Shri KPS Gill discussed the strategy for safety and security of Hindus in hostile environment of Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The main objective behind Hindu Organisational Conference conducted by Hindu Organisation, Temples and Associations was to bring them together through effective networking and empowerment so that they can serve Hindu community in an improved manner. RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale spoke at this conference.
The Hindu Youth Conference conducted by Hindu Student Youth Network aimed at providing a platform to Hindu students and youth from all over the world to discuss problems confronting the Hindu society and formulate solutions to those challenges. Youth delegates from different counties deliberated upon various issues in this conference. n