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HOUSTON, TEXAS, April 25, 2013 (Indo American News): An organization that can speak for Hindus in the greater Houston area in one strong voice is emerging. The board of advisors of Hindus of Greater Houston at its first meeting held at Chinmaya Mission Houston recently laid the foundation for the umbrella organization that will be an authentic and credible force, protecting the cause and interests of all Hindus.
Dev Mahajan, chairman of the board of advisors, after the inaugural meeting, addressed the invited representatives from about 60 Hindu religious, social and cultural organizations in the Houston area. The umbrella organization will unite all the Hindu organizations and each organization will nominate one permanent representative to the team, Mahajan said.
Mahajan said the board will shortly formalize the mission and objectives of the new organization. The board of advisors comprises of Dev Mahajan ( Arya Samaj of Greater Houston), Gaurang Nanavaty (Chinmaya Mission), Ramesh Bhutada (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh) , Prabhat C . Sharma ( Hindu Worship Society), Jugal Malani (India House), Dr. Hansa Medley (Hare Krishna Temple) and Dr. Venugopal Menon (Shri Meenakshi Temple).
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, head of the Kauai Hindu Monastery in Hawaii and publisher of Hinduism Today, was the guest speaker. "My guru was keen on the concept of Hindu solidarity. The magazine was started for making Hindus work together. Its motto is solidarity through diversity." The magazine does not promote the Hawaii ashram or temple, but promotes Hindus globally. Hinduism Today empowers the youth and its efforts devoted to educating the youth. Hindus should come together with what is in common and show that we are a force to reckon with when needed, he said.
Bodhinatha Swami applauded the efforts of Hindus in Houston in solidarity. "The Hindus in Houston are fortunate to have over so many organizations conducting worship and teaching programs in the greater Houston area. Normally, all that is needed is for these organizations to perform well their respective missions. However, on occasion there is a need for a united Hindu front, for all Hindus to come together to address a pressing issue such as mistreatment of Hindu students, newspaper articles grossly misrepresenting Hinduism or a natural disaster where Hindus want to work together to create a joint response. The Hindus of Greater Houston, as an umbrella organization, is ideally situated to do just that. We were pleased to attend their recent membership meeting and see the diversity and large number of organizations committed to its mission," Bodhinatha Swami said.
Board Member Venugopal Menon said, "About 100,000 Hindus, with 18 established temples have established their presence and their significance in Houston. It is only prudent and proper that we create a unified voice to be heard, that our commitments and concerns are understood as an important expression of the mainstream. With that motivating philosophy, the organization of the Hindus of Greater Houston along with its Advisory Board with representatives of all the Hindu establishments in the area is created."