IACA

I read the news articles and commentary that appeared recently in US Media (NY Times Article, MSNBC Article) . These are sensational articles written to increase page views and ad revenue than responsible journalism, a handy work of people with limited background about India’s history and culture.

While many blame the Hindu Caste System for its ills and recent economic liberalization as its savior, lack of deeper understanding of India could lead to misconceptions among our youth and also about Indians in general.

Yes, it is true Indian society is based on a caste system which originated as a way for efficient division of labor (knowledge workers, Warriors, Traders and Service providers).  There was freedom to change their affiliation and it was based on GUNAS and not birth during the Vedic times.  Being a knowledge worker or a warrior was not an easy choice and required more disciplined and arduous work. As such you will see lesser % ge of these groups. The outcasts out of the 4 major caste groups of India (dalits) is not mentioned in any of our puranas (legends).  Caste system was further extended as people moved across the country and adapted to different vocations. It was again beneficial to train younger apprentices with the knowledge within family circles. These social convenience and need to retain culture lead to myriads of castes in India. Because of these close knit circles, many people survived and succeeded in expanding their numbers, helping India become a populous country.

No wonder people who lived in tribal areas and those who were outcasts (dalits) were documented in later history, but there are ample examples of their fair treatment and how religion treats divinity in every being irrespective of their origin or state. eg. Check this video of Chandala and Adi Shankara.

Growth of  outcasts was a result of few vested interests in later centuries that discriminated and reduced them to subhuman conditions. Money lenders indebted them to servitude for life. This has happened in every part of the world. Do you think our GE Capital, Bank of America, City Bank or any of these Payday Loan vendors any different in putting people to perennial debt and servitude?

India has made enormous progress in bringing social changes. Southern States have been forerunners in this area for nearly a century. Economic growth is spearheading the changes and Hindu Caste system is nothing to do in inhibiting this change. An outcast cobbler could have developed a shoe store just like NORDSTROM SHOES in USA, if there were enough rich people who could afford to buy shoes in India.

Our generation saw Bill Gates and Steve Jobs bring practical applications of computing and software to the masses. Numerous scientific developments of 19th and early 20th century lead to the comforts of modern day living. This was a result of  hard work of many great people. One such scientist & engineer is Nikola Tesla, who developed Alternating Current Generation and Transmission Systems leading to modern day grid that we take for granted today. It is interesting to note  genius of his and later generation that include Nikola, Kelvin, Einstein, Oppenheimer and others were influenced by Hindu ideologies. Here is an article on Tesla’s interest in Vedic thoughts which is more close to modern day science.

by Jayaram Yeredanamane in Detroit:
Deepavali or Diwali, popularly known as the “festival of lights, the awareness of the inner light” (TAMASO MA JYOTIRGAMAYA), is one of the most important festivals of the year.
The name “Diwali” is a contraction of “Deepavali” (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into “row of lamps”. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the victory of good over evil.

Lakshmi Puja:
Deepavali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.

There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on this day.

1. According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan.

2. The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamana avatar of the big three Vishnu, the incarnation he assumed to kill the demon king Bali. On this day, Vishnu came back to his abode the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.

As per spiritual references, on this day “Lakshmi-panchayatan” enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are elements of this “panchayatan” (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are mentioned below.

1. Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.
2. Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)
3. Kubera: Wealth (generosity; one who shares wealth)
4. Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
5. Gajendra: Carries the wealth

Deepavali significance as per Maharashtra:
In Maharashtra, the festival celebrated for five days signifies the following:

1. FIRST DAY: starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year.

2. SECOND DAY: Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.

3. THIRD DAY: Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf “VAMANA” the fifth incarnation from dashavatara, conquered the Bali, and banished him to Patala.

4. FOURTH DAY: It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there.

5. FIFTH DAY: The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Sringeri nestled in the malnad area of Karnataka is one of the prestine places in Southern India. Shankara Mutt at Sringeri is one of the original 4 mutts established in 4 corners of India by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sringeri is the spiritual capital of the South. Parama Guru Vidyaranya was responsible for initiating the building of Vijayanagar Kingdom to help protect the region from the encroachment of muslim invaders. In its long history various kings from Nepal to Mysore patronized Sringeri and offered gifts to the Guru and the temples of Srigeri over the years.

Check this special video which shows one day in the year, the tradition in Sringeri to decorate the temple with all the royal gifts and the Guru wearing the royal robes offered by various kings and worship the Goddess Sharada Devi.

We were very fortunate to perform our son’s Brahmopadesha at Sringeri Mutt in 2002. Check out this video that includes the vedic recitals by rithviks and the Jagadguru worshipping Lord Chandramouleeshwara.

Indians and everyone across the globe celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on Oct 2nd. It was the 142nd birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who is the Father of India. On the left Ms. Sneha Mehta, IACA President addressing the gathering that included the newly appointed Consulate General of Atlanta Indian Consulate. Dignitaries and presidents of all major Indian associations such as Gandhi Foundation, Gujarati Samaj and others were present :

One of our Indian Community members, Ghanshyam Dave age 43 passed away recently. He was alone and could not get to buy his Diabetes prescription drugs. There may be many people in the community who succumb to unfortunate circumstances with no immediate family here.

We at IACA should extend our support by setting up a fund for this cause (proposing the name “Last rites funds for the needy”). Anybody can donate to it and EC can disburse to the needy.

The contributions currently will defray the costs of Funeral/Cremation for Late Mr. Dave and to help Dave’s 85 year old ailing mother in Pune. Any surplus funds will be escrowed for future similar mishaps but restricted only for Cremation purposes for any Indian American member of our community.

We hope everyone will contribute generoulsy to this cause and help families such as Mr. Dave’s to get through these hard times. This is the least we can do for our community.

Please mail your checks to IACA and make them payable to “IACA – Last rites funds for the needy”.

Please confirm your committment level and participation to iaca2010@yahoo.com or just mail your checks to IACA and make sure to specify these are for the “last rites funds for the needy”. We will start the fund with $250 contribution from IACA.

The last rites will be performed at 10am at the Wages & Sons Funeral Home, Stone Mountain Chapel, 1040 Main Street, Stone Mountain, Ga 30086, Phone No 770 469 9811 on Sunday, September 25th. Cremation will follow immediately after the last rites/puja and between 10AM-11AM, on Sunday Sept 25t. Please do attend and show your support.

Regards
IACA Board of Directors and Executive Committee

Gowri Puja is conducted the day before Vinayaka Chaturti. While Hindus generally worship at home during all festivals, community worship is also in vogue particularlry with Gowri and Ganesha. Legendary freedom fighter and activist Bala Gangadhara Tilak ( from eartwhile Maharashtra State) popularized the community worship. It got extended to all of South India where eleborate celebrations are seen for months with spiritual discourse and performance by renowned artists acrosss the country. We miss the festivities of India, but it is celebrated with great devotion in most NRI’s homes and in temples in USA. It is a treat to watch Bala Vihar kids perfom Ganesha Puja at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta and other temples.

Above: Picture of clay idols of Ganesha and Gowri sold in the streets of Bangalore
Photo From: www.sanjevani.com

Below: Picture of Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati Mandal in Mumbai

Every one enjoyed the Festival of India on August 7th. Carefully selected entertainment programs attracted not only Indian people in and around Georgia but also many people from the local community. Jubilant mood was in the air with vivid colors and beauty of the Indian dress, music, dance, food along with variety of vendor booths. Enjoy the pictures and add your comments: [

Per an email posted on a forum, there are many incidents of robbery in Atlanta area directed against Indian homes. To avoid publicising the modus operandi, I have posted the article as a private document. It is accessible for logged in users of this website. Register as a user if interested in details.

Check this out: http://www.iacaatl.org/indian-homes-robbed-in-atlanta/