Hindus Abroad-The Dilemma: Dollar or Dharma?

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About the Author

Shri H.V. Seshadri- M.Sc.- an outstanding writer- thinker and dedicated social worker- hails from Bangalore. Born in 1926- he had a bright academic career. After serving for a very brief period as a teacher in college- he dedicated himself entirely to the work of the society and the country as a Pracharak (full-time worker) of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has been incessantly touring for the purpose throughout Bharat. His writings are eagerly awaited by vast numbers of readers- enriched as they are by diverse experience derived from his wide and continuous contact with the society and also by his deep study of the history and culture of the Hindus. His masterly exposition and critical analysis are matched by a unique and lucid style. Likewise- his thought-provoking lectures sway the minds of the hearers.

The credit of the compilation of the highly popular Bunch of Thoughts based on numerous lectures- interviews and stray writings of Shri M.S. Golwalkar (Guruji)- the previous chief of RSS- goes to Shri Seshadri.

Numerous feature articles and scores of books and booklets on topical issues have come out of his powerful pen- both in Kannada and English.

At present Shri Seshadri is Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of RSS.

Preface

After my return to Bharat from a two-month itinerary in USA- Canada and UK- starting from the 4th of July to September 4th of 1984- many of our co-workers and sympathisers evinced keen interest in hearing about my experiences abroad. They were naturally concerned about the conditions of our Hindu brethren over there and the problems and challenges they are facing. That is how I came to put together some of the more significant instances and my observations thereof in the form of articles and interviews which were published in ‘Organiser’- Delhi- and many other language weeklies in our country.

During my visit to some prominent places in those countries- I had the opportunity of holding discussions with workers of various Hindu cultural and religious bodies like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad- Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh- Vedanta Centre- Satya Sai Mission- ISKCON and of organisations like the Friends of India Society International; the Kan- nada Sanghas and some other local organisations. More informative and illuminating- however- were the informal chats I used to have with the family members - young and old- men and women-with whom I stayed. The biggest programmes I attended were the 14th World Hindu Conference organised by VHP at New York in the second week of July 1984 and the ‘Hindu Sangam’ of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh- UK- held at Bradford during the last week of August 1984.

Readers will notice that the descriptions in the following pages revolve mostly round the topic of the crucial challenge to their cultural identity faced by the Hindus there. I am only too well aware that my observations are - by the very nature of the limited contacts and opportunities available to me there - likely to be incomplete and may even appear slanted. So I urge our discerning readers to view them as certain distinct trends rather than as authentic evaluation.

With a view to compensating this limitation- atleast to some extent- included herein is an article by Late Swami Tilak- who was a veritable dynamo of energy and inspiration for the Hindu Cause in the West and messages by Swami Satyamitrananda Giri Maharaj and revered Shri Balasaheb Deoras- the RSS Sarsanghachalak- to the Historic Hindu Conference t Milton Keynes in UK in July 1989.

It was very kind of ‘Suruchi Prakashan’- Delhi- to have taken up the job of printing and publishing the book in its present nice get up and in time for its release at the first ever 4 days ‘Vishwa Sangh Shibir’ of families of workers of certain Hindu Organisations to be held at Bangalore in the last week of December this year.

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