Author: Vinay B. Dogra
Publication:
Date:
Imagine my dismay when I opened
quiet a few English language Bharatiya Newspapers, India Abroad, Little
India,etc., published here in America. I was greeted by resoundingly pernicious
reviews about V.H.P.A; "Absurd Hindus, Saffron warriors, Fundamentalist
Hindus, etc., etc. Like Lemmings rushing to the sea, these intellectually
bankrupt pseudo secularists unanimously panned Hindus. Well, this year
2004, in the month of August, I had the privilege to attend two consecutive
V.H.P.A. summer family camps at Tolland, M.A and Tabernacle, N.J., respectively.
After having been there, I thumbed my nose at those critics. I do not want
to narrate my experiences in lofty terms, but in layman's terms, so that
these pseudo secularists can truly understand. It's simply a case of cultural
dissonance, where these arrogant critics, who hail from privileged families,
reared and sheltered in gated communities in secured environment, who completed
their schooling either in Missionary schools or at the schools funded by
Petro dollars, thus completely isolated from the grass roots Hindus and
their contemporary problems of Terrorism, Casteism, and a shortage of basic
amenities etc., etc.
On the contrary, at the V.H.P.A.
family camp, the harmonious panorama comprising of well educated non heretical
professionals from all walks of life: Housewives to Physicians; Scientists
to Bankers, Business people to Engineers, Academicians to brilliant students,
panoplies a true mosaic of highly diversified "Hindu Samaj" on linguistics,
caste, regional, faith- beliefs, and economic status to one common platform
of one extended "Hindu-Family".
The horror stories, I have heard
before the summer family camp, regarding dense jungle like landscaping,
sleeping on hardwood beds, log cab with wire mash doors, no electricity,
no modern bathroom facilities. No protection from insects and vermin, gives
me the heebie-jeebies, which naturally, set me on edge. Despite my being
over cautious, I was stung by a bumblebee. Afterwards the poor bumblebee
died, and then was reincarnated again to another life. This ordinarily
unpleasant experience took me to an interesting episode, culminating with
bumblebee renaissance and an introduction to a good individual. This episode
needs to be shared with all, especially intellectually bankrupt pseudo
secularists.
It was quiet obvious that after
being stung by a Bumblebee on my right arm, which was now swollen and painful,
as painful as the lies of pseudo secularists whose works I had read in
the newspaper, that I would have to be treated, treated by a complete stranger.
But despite my childish fears, the
soft spoken, easily approachable camp physician Ameeta jee, put all my
fears to rest. Before long, I was able to forget about my injury and enjoy
the balanced, nutritious, six meals with extensive choice of delicious
dishes being prepared under the supervision of the unofficially announced
executive chef de la camp Sushila jee, the professionally choreographed
cultural and folk dances by Sita jee, the art classes by Bharati jee, and
the enjoyable ecstasy of disciplined yoga, and meditation by bharat jee.
All these things as well as the controlled, disciplined environment provided
by the moderator Parveen Garg jee, Subhdera jee, Dinesh jee, Dhayabhai,
Jayesh jee far exceeds my ability to express my thanks. The equal but silent
contribution of each individual camper and participating volunteer should
not be overlooked as contributing factors in camps success.
The reason I brought this up is
that V.H.P.A. is one of many nationalists and humanitarian organizations
of the Sangh Parivar, in which everyone participates, and contributes selflessly
without the importance of being personally recognized or honored. Show
me, if you can this kind of 'One Hindu Family' spirit in any other organization.
All of us love to be recognized
but how many choose to work silently, without any personal rewards. That's
what V.H.P.A. and SANGH PARIVAR is all about!
If pseudo secularists cannot comprehend
this, they are not intellectuals in my book, no matter how much wealth
they possess or degrees they collect.
Quiet frankly, the Bumblebee, at
the last day of the camp whispered into my ears, and said, "You invaded
my territory: you slept in Log cabins, had camp fire; did yoga in my open
space, but you never harmed any insects or animals. Even when I bitterly
stung you, you surprisingly never retaliated. Furthermore bumblebee added,
Hindu culture is fierce, the funky musical rhythms of Bhangra, Gharba,
the shimmery garments, the fabulous foods, the traditions had converted
my boring evenings to jovial evenings; and hence I felt like a camper too."
But before Bumblebee bid good-bye
to me, She asked me to convey this message to those hate filled pseudo
secularists, to dissipate their heebie-jeebies about V.H.PA. , by asking
these hate mongers to join and enjoy these camps, if they have one scintilla
of a soul in them, to feel the funk. So that these hate mongers, whose
sensibilities are dominated by waxed hegemonic and imperialistic thoughts
would have more room for heterodoxy.
I could not resist exclaiming with
joy; "WAHA. BUMBLEBEE WAHA" and bumblebee flew back to its natural habitat
of woods greeting me, "JAI SHRI KRISHNA".
"Any suggestions or comments, kindly
e-mail at Vempire007@aol.com or call 718-698-1210 Kindly forward this article
to other e-mail groups at your disposal, thus playing a constructive role
for the betterment of bitterly divided Hindu Samaj at large." Thanks, Vinay
B. Dogra
