By Sangeeta Sharma
New Delhi, Oct 13 (LAB) The World Hindu Congress 2023, Bangkok, Thailand will be held on 24-26 November with the theme Jayasya Aayatnam Dharmah, meaning “Dharma, the Abode of Victory”. Seven parallel thematic conferences to articulate the values, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Hindus in all its vibrance and glory will constitute this WHC. The conferences will provide space to discuss and deliberate upon the opportunities and challenges facing Hindus across the world and how to address them valiantly. These conferences will also focus on areas of strategic importance to Hindus and provide avenues for collaboration among Hindu leaders, activists and thinkers for the Hindu resurgence.
WHC 2023 will provide opportunities for Hindus to network, exchange ideas, work confidently and model their future course of action. Overall, WHC 2023 shall make us feel that grand pride of being a Hindu and shore up our mind to take up our duties and responsibilities towards our Hindu Dharma fearlessly.
Bharat and Southeast Asia share common Dharmic and cultural values that find expression in language, arts, architecture and tradition. Magnificent symbols of a shared heritage can be seen in Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Thailand), Angkor Wat and Phnom Kulen (Cambodia), Prambanan and Borobudur (Indonesia), Bagan (Myanmar), Kedaram (Malaysia), Cham Temple, Mỹ Sơn (Vietnam) and Vat Phou (Laos).
Hindus are a 1.2 billion strong community, comprising 16% of the world’s population with presence in around 200 countries. Across the world, we are the leaders and catalysts in all spheres of human endeavour – business, economy, education, governance, media, technology and culture. As a civilisation, we have always aspired for a Dharmic world which is prosperous, just and peaceful. However, such aspirations can only be realised if the Hindu leadership – spread across nations, societies and cultures – comes together to organise and combine its energies for global welfare. The World Hindu Congress (WHC) is the only global platform where this translates into reality.
Thus, the WHC is a continuation of the quintessential and original yajnya (self-sacrifice) for the greater interest for the Hindu society. Its purposefulness and comprehensiveness enables Hindus to come together consistently on a shared platform for a shared purpose inspired by shared values.
Hindus should beware of ‘sadgun vikriti’ (need to be seen as good) and imbibe their perception of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ (world is one family) with caution. Good times will not come on their own – we cannot remain in self-congratulatory posture and need to emulate our ancestors who worked hard in challenging times to preserve Hindu heritage.
– Swami Vigyananand, Ideator, WHC