What it means to you to be a Chennaiite?
A very casual query that any Chennaiite – a rich person or an average layperson – will be able to talk something passionately about the bond they have with the city or the way they grew up in the city. But not so with Ms Kanimozhi.
She gave an exceptional narration that showed a terrible disconnect she has with the city but a horrible connect with a crass political mentality.
She could not say a single word on what Chennai gave her or did to her, nor on the way she felt as one who grew up here (or she grew up elsewhere, I don't know). She seems to have no emotional bonding with the city. All that she knew was how to thrust her concocted beliefs to take a dig at Brahmins and Hindus.
Chennai is popularly known for filter coffee, The Hindu and idly- saambaar. The Hindu nowadays looks like their party newspaper and idly saambaar is a non-issue. What is left is filter coffee, and see how she has used that GK to mouth the horrible things! (given at the end of this post)
Filter coffee is connected with 'maami' (usually referred to the married Brahmin woman) according to her.
Kanimozhi sees this maami married to a Muslim or a Christian!
This is her image of Chennai or rather what it means to be a Chennaiite.
Can a maami serve filter coffee if she is married to a Christian or Muslim?
Avanga appo coffee poduvangala illa karuvaadu samaippangala? (Can she make coffee or karuvaadu / non-veg?) Where could Kanimozhi get filter coffee if the maamis go after Christians and Muslims?
Kanimozhi also says that we have not made religion political. But she is making every bit to snub Hindus and takes a peculiar satisfaction in seeing Hindu religion losing its character. Her Chennai must have only Christians and Muslims and no Brahmins or Hindus, it seems.
Why maamis, aren't there women from other castes who have made a mark for themselves? Why single out maamis?
Kanimozhi even takes a solace that there are no honour killings in Chennai (or Tamilnadu?). But there are other killings and deaths. The horrific suicides reported in Chennai in the last 30 days were mostly about Christian women and young school going children who could not bear study-pressure. What does her government do to avert such deaths?
Kanimozhi must also ponder over why there are no honour killings in Tamilnadu in general. She need not whack her head to find the reason. It is enough she sees the Tamil Movies that show the reality atleast in marriage issues. There will be a maaman (uncle) or father who would drag the eloping girl back home and get her married to the one decided by them. In rural Tamilnadu inter caste marriage is still not tolerated. If we go by the surveys brought out by English magazines, Chennai and Tamilnadu still continues to be conservative in marriage issue. Even the city groomed people go through matrimonial columns through 2 levels of vetting – one done by parents on social and other issues and then only the prospective guys and girls come into the picture.
Marriage is not a social approval for a man and woman coming together. It is thought to be so in the present day world. But Hindu marriages have a lofty ideal of discharging duties of dharma, artha and kaama as a man and wife. Then only the final goal of Moksha will become possible. Of these 4 ideals called Purusharthas, Dharma and Moksha stand on extreme ends. Artha (material life) and kaama must be conducted with dharma. Only then Moksha will be a smooth reality. This mentality makes one tolerant to ups and downs of life and accept each other than expect the other to fulfill one's fancies.
This is the basic idea of Hindu marriage and the ideology of ancient Tamils too. Puranauru tells about a king who conducted his daily routine by adhering to Dharma, Artha and kama. Those who sought gifts from the king need not wait at the entrance of his palace to meet him. The king divided his day for Dharma when he used to meet people at a specified time and present them with gifts and the things they wanted. Then he would spend time with his courtiers to discuss about how to conduct the affairs of the state (artha). Then he would retire to his apartments to be with his wife. So the one longing to meet the king to receive gifts from him could go at the time allotted for dharma related issues and get satisfied by the King's generosity.
These 4 purusharthas are unique for Hinduism and are universal in application. The institution of Hindu marriage is built on these purusharthas only. Arjuna was ready to quit fighting mainly on this plank – that the women widowed due to the death of the men in a war would not be able to live in dignity and would be led to trespass the Kula dharma. As a result, the oblations to the Pithrus (departed souls) could not be offered. When oblations are not offered, the future generations would be afflicted with incurable diseases. The causative person who made all these would have to incur terrible karma. Arjuna did not want himself to be the causative one for these things. He was ready to live the life of a despondent than to become the cause for such a scenario.
The Purushartha connected to Hindu marriage is not a mere belief, we can see the misfortune occurring from the 3rd generation onwards. Oblations to Pithrus is the main issue. A Hindu marrying a Christian or Muslim or an atheist of the Dravidian mold or a Hindu converting to these religions would cease to offer the oblations.
The 3rd generation offspring of these people start showing up symptoms of incurable maladies.
As an astrologer I am receiving the 3rd generation people of the Dravidian atheists of the 20s and 30s and also converted people. Jupiter, the lord of Dharma is found badly afflicted in their horoscopes. They also complain of peculiar diseases that have no cure. Kanimozhi can recall the life of some Dravidian politicians who have such instances happening in their families. As a humanist I feel sorry for them, but as an astrologer I can not say any remedy for them other than telling them to fall in line with the Hindu way and wait for one more generation to pass off for better fortunes to return to the family.
Don't undermine Hinduism Ms Kanimozhi. Your father's favorite Silappadhikaram says more vociferously how karma comes back ferociously to the one who initiated it. Taking glee at maamis or Hindus becoming Christians or Muslims can not do any good to you in your karmic long run. You may dismiss this as rubbish. But that is what Kalapurush wants people to do. The trespassers or wrong doers are not punished immediately. They would have their free run in this birth or at the current period. Kalapurush would wait for the immediate memory to die down and then strike at an unsuspecting moment later. No one can escape its dragnet. That is the real lesson that everyone must remember.
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From
http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/08/22/ArticleHtmls/22_08_2010_103_005.shtml?Mode=0
Celebrating a special bond.
By
KANIMOZHI,
Rajya Sabha member
Outsiders perceive Chennai as a very conservative city, they think of a maami serving filter coffee. That's the image of Chennai outside. But then, the maami could still be married to a Muslim or a Christian, be a top surgeon and a social activist too. That's the real Chennai.
We might be a city of a million kinds of people, yet we live in harmony and can look beyond our boundaries such as caste, class and so on. I don't think anyone here -politicians included, can even dare to dream of justifying an honour killing or such retrograde aberrations seen in some other places.
We are very inclusive and this has not happened overnight.
Chennai is one place which can celebrate a Tamil film and also the December Carnatic music festival, along with the world cinema.
Of course, there are things that have to be done. It would have been wonderful to have our satellite city and it is sad that even expanding our airport is becoming a very political thing. How would you get investments without a good modern airport? And where is the employment then?
I think in certain ways we have to open up and stop making everything political. Thank God, we have not made religion political. And in spite of our pride in Tamil and Tamil culture, Tamil Nadu is one of the very few states and Chennai one of the very few cities which are so inclusive. We have respect for other languages and cultures, and the courage to celebrate them.
Our culture is way ahead and has a more human face. And we are justifiably proud of that.
Aug. 15: The hike in fuel prices has not affected C. Rajasekharan of Vedaranyam near Nagapattinam. The farmer has for the past five years been using oil from the Punnai tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) to power water pumps that irrigate 36 acres of agricultural and aqua farms.
He may not quite realise the implications of what he is on to but scientists describe the innovation as a potential breakthrough in the search for a green, renewable, non-fossil fuel. The oil, extracted from the kernel of the tree's seed, is more economical than diesel and researchers are now testing the feasibility of using it to power automobiles.
Interestingly, at least one major corporate group is looking at the possibility of using Punnai oil as an alternative fuel. "A Mumbai-based company is cultivating Punnai trees on 60 hectares of land in coastal Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
The firm plans to commence production in a major way once it is proved that the oil is eco-friendly," said Mohammed Raffi, a marine scientist at the centre for advanced studies in marine biology, Parangipettai.
"One litre of oil costs Rs 33 if you buy the seeds from the market," Mr Rajasekharan told DC. "But if you grow your own trees, it will cost just Rs 12 per litre."
"A certain amount of molasses has to be added while crushing the kernels to make the oil," Mr Rajasekharan noted, adding that the fuel produced less emission than diesel. He has two dozen Punnai trees in his farm and buys additional seeds from the market that he uses to make his bio-fuel.
The Tamil Nadu State Council For Science and Technology has initiated steps to confirm the efficacy of punnai oil as an alternate fuel. "We will study the environmental impact of the oil and patent it if we find that it can be used as a substitute for diesel or petrol," said S. Vincent, member secretary.
Plant scientist at CPR Environmental Foundation, M. Amrithalingam, noted that Punnai was the official tree of Srirangam Temple and Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore. "Punnai oil was once popular as an insecticide," he added. A. Gopalakrishnan, a scientist at CASMB, described Punnai, also known as sthal vriksha, as the "eternal tree". "Every part of the tree can be used for some purpose. It is used to make furniture, catamarans and boats. Its timber is light but quite strong," he said.
On the many uses of Punnai and other sthala vrukshas:-
Atlast some people have started realizing that the planets of the solar system have some impact on the climate of the earth. The magazine "Little India" published by Indians in the USA carried an article on how the ancient wisdom of Indians on predicting rainfall - its arrival, amount and the place where it arrives - based on the planetary positions, is true (given below). It is good news that the Meteorological department of India is taking note of this wisdom. This wisdom is contained in what is called Medhini or mundane astrology. According to this there are a number of combinations and methods for forecasting rainfall in a place. All the planets of the solar system exert different levels of influence on each other that leave an impact on the atmosphere. In the sangam texts we often come across a reference to sighting Venus in the southern part of the sky that was linked to an impending drought year ahead. The distant Saturn - if it looked smoky to the naked eye was also considered as an indication for the lack of rainfall. Now scientists are coming to think that such influences are possible. It is also possible that our earth exerts an influence on other planets - say on Venus in accelerating or decelerating the acid rain in that planet. We have not thought of how the earth affects the other planets, but our rishis have found out how other planets leave an impact on the climate of our earth. According to this wisdom, three factors namely terrestrial, atmospheric and celestial sightings must be recorded on a day - to - day basis in every place. Terrestrial includes the condition of the planets and animals, atmospheric includes the conditions of air, cloud, heat, cold etc and celestial includes the position of planets with reference to each other. The first two conditions vary from place to place. Therefore the observation must be done in all places on all days. What is observed in a place may not be there in place few kilometers from there. In far off places the conditions may be totally different. Varahamihira has detailed all the probable conditions and combinations pertaining to these 3 factors. The hurricanes that strike the USA and other parts of the world can be predicted in advance using these parameters. 'In advance' means half a year in advance. This means that the conditions noted in a place on a day will have its effect on the same place when that place comes exactly 180 degrees away from the day in observation (opposite point in space). In astrological jargon we call it as the 7th aspect (or paarvai / drushti ). The rationale is that whatever happens on a day in a point in space and time will have its effect exactly at the opposite point in space and time. This looks as a kind of Karma theory of cause and effect. But it happens meteorologically too. The amazing information is that the corresponding planetary positions for rainfall or lack of rainfall exactly falls in place on the opposite point of space and time. I don't know whether I am able to convey my thoughts here. All I want to say is that there are different sets of rules for predicting rainfall in a place. The most basic indicator is the three-some factor which I said above. They must be observed round the lock all through the year. For rainfall to occur, the relevant conditions give the result exactly half a year away from that day and in 180 degrees in space from that point in space. There are other sets of rules for rainfall based only on planetary position. It is seen that they are in place on the day of rainfall when favorable rainfall is indicated in advance by the 3-some factors. For example the climate on the morning of August 15th (Independence Day this year) in Chennai was totally different. It was cool, reminding of the fog - or spreading the chill that we experience in fog - and it rained too. The day was Sukla sashti. The corresponding day half a year behind was Krishna sashti in the month of Maargazhi on January 6th 2010. That day was unusually foggy in Chennai ( fog in Maargazhi is an important atmospheric factor for rainfall). For what prevailed on January 6th, it rained on August 15th. It rained on that day. In addition to the astrological factor that was noted in advance, that day (Aug 15) also came with a combination that indicated rainfall. Mercury-Venus nearer to each other (Budha - Shukra sameepam) ensured rain. Venus in Hastha nakshatra ensured rainfall. But the rainfall was not heavy on 15th August. If all the 3-some factors had been there on the corresponding day in maargazhi, there would have been heavy rains. Wherever the 3-some factors were sighted, there it would have rained. The point I want to note down is how the planetary position on the day of rainfall also was conducive. It shows that the heavens have a perfect map where the positions of planets fit in exactly to connect the cause and effect. The rainfall yogas are many and the topic itself is exhaustive. There are momentary indicators of rainfall from the way the animals and birds behave and the way the wind blows and the sky shines. I will write them down whenever possible. At the moment I want the readers to take a look at the salient points given in the article posted below. ****************** From http://www.littleindia.com/news/143/ARTICLE/6904/2010-08-08.html I Heard The Crows Call For Rain | ||||||||||||
| As scientific tools falter in predicting rain patterns, Indian scientists turn to the Vedas and traditional knowledge for some fine tuning. | ||||||||||||
| By: | ||||||||||||
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Rajinikanth's speech is always watched keenly to know his mind on the political scenario of Tamilnadu. In his recent speech on the occasion of the release of the audio CD of his film Endhiran, he revealed a couple of ideas that was running in his mind.
Rajini talked about team work that went into the making of Endhiran. That far, it is fine. Then he went on to say that if proper 'koottani' (coalition) is made, all the 234 seats can be won. For whom he told this kanakku (calculation)? Who is in need of making 'koottani'? One thing is clear. He need not give this 'idea' to Karunanidhi nor remind him of that. Karunnaidhi already has a firm koottani. So it is someone else that Rajini is having in his mind when he made this observation!
The planets in dasa or bhukthi that were running in his life when MGR and Jayalalithaa were in power are making a reappearance next year when the polls are due to take place! He will be facing the next elections in Venus- moon period. Venus will behave like Jupiter in his horoscope as it is in the asterism of Jupiter. He knows that his Jupiter is weak. (That is why he wears the yellow shawl). In addition it has no bindus in its house in Martian Ashtakavarga. One more information – Jupiter is the 6th cuspal sub-lord. It will not give him 'nimmadhi' – a term Rajini wished him in the meeting where he spoke about Sarvajya.
American Hindus: How to Cultivate Your Culture in America
By
Stephen Knapp
One thing I have witnessed is that how 20, 30 or more years ago, when Indians were coming to America, they came to concentrate on their careers, not their culture. Yet, many of them have now turned back to their culture and have become better Hindus than if they would have stayed in India. Some may have realized that the American dream is not all cracked up to be, or, more simply, in order to feel more complete and fulfilled, it is better that they still have a strong connection with their Vedic traditions. It may also be because they want their children to be trained-up in the culture of their homeland. So, now many of them have reconnected with the spiritual customs and traditions of Vedic India.
However, a problem that many Indian Hindu families are facing is that many of their children, growing up in the West, are losing interest in their culture. That can partly be because the parents don not show enough interest, which is the impression passed on to the children. But, it is also encouraging to see that those children who do take an interest are often becoming more dedicated Hindus than their own parents. Yet, we can see that this is often a matter of association, who the children pick as friends and how they learn about what Vedic culture or Sanatana-dharma really are. Therefore, the children have to be guided by proper training, proper association, and proper observance of Vedic traditions. This also is part of forming the proper samskaras in the minds of the children. And isn't this what we are meant to do anyway?
One thing that we should realize while we live and grow in America, is that the way things are going in India, we practically have more freedom to practice the Vedic culture and its traditions in America than we do in India, and I could certainly elaborate on that point, but already have in other articles that you can read on my website. So, we need to know how to utilize this freedom that we have.
Secondly, we need to know that America is a prime location where we can work together for cultivating as well as protecting and preserving the Vedic tradition. But we need to base this cooperation beyond the considerations of caste or ethnic differences, those labels of the body. We may call ourselves Hindus, and then Indians, but how many times do you call yourselves Gujarati Hindus, or Bengali, or Marathi, or Tamil Hindus, and so on. Such temporary distinctions of the body are taught in the Vedic texts to be but part of the illusion. And we should not want to remain in such illusion, such maya. The whole basis of the Vedic spiritual process is to raise ourselves out of such illusion and recognize our higher spiritual potential as spiritual beings. We are actually the spirit soul within whatever kind of body we may temporarily have. We need to base our cooperation and the way we identify with each other on that. And America can be the best place for this to happen.
Yet, this is one of the problems that we see in India: there are so many groups that have similar goals and interests for the benefits of the culture and country, but there are so many differences between these groups based on superficialities of the body that they cannot unite and become a strong federation, a powerful organization that can determine their own fate, or the future of the country. If anything, so many associations in India still fight with one another and, thus, weaken each other to the point of becoming incapable of performing any worthwhile actions that will make a real difference for the unity and future of India and its culture.
This was the same sort of weakness of the past 1000 years when invaders came into India, sometimes few in numbers, but took over parts of the country without much resistance. It was a lack of unity amongst the princely states, their inability to support each other or come to the aid of another that allowed for such a poor defense system that they could not repel their invaders. So we have to ask ourselves, are we going to continue the same pattern? Are we going to sit back and criticize others and what they have done and point out what they should have done, while we do nothing? If we do, then there is no doubt that we are already finished. It is only a matter of time when we and the Vedic system will become so reduced that it will fade from the world, like other cultures that have been reduced to mere museum pieces. We have to rise above that.
Some of you will say that I am being overly dramatic, and that Sanatana-dharma is eternal, so that will never happen. To that I will only ask, haven't you honestly read the Bhagavad-gita? Haven't you read one of the reasons why Lord Krishna appeared in this world? It was to revive the Vedic traditions and its teachings, which had become lost, faded from what it once was. So, are we going to allow that to happen? Are we going to simply wait for someone else to take up the reigns to lead us, to protect and preserve the culture, or to bring it back to its glory the way it used to be?
So, as American Hindus, we should first recognize ourselves as spiritual beings, followers of Sanatana-dharma. Only after that should we recognize each other as Indians, or connected with India. We must first see ourselves as spiritual beings, and then everyone else in the same light, the light of spiritual knowledge. Then we can come together and cooperate in real unity, real concern for protecting and preserving the Vedic Dharma, not only for ourselves, but for our families, our children, and for the many generations to come. Even my own spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, once asked us, what is the use of being Americans if you cannot do something significant?
Let us make sure that the Vedic tradition and its spiritual knowledge is not an eternal yet hidden philosophy that has been forgotten or difficult to attain and utilize. Let us make sure that it remains a guiding light for everyone, all over the world, and accessible for those who seek deep spiritual knowledge, over and above mere pious religion. That is the way it is meant to be. I have often said that Vedic culture is the last bastion of deep spiritual truth. If we lose that, then all of humanity is in for a very dark future.
However, as Americans of Indian descent and followers of Vedic culture, we also must never forget that India is the homeland of our Vedic tradition, and that is what it must always remain. We must protect that as well. But how do we use our freedom here in America to do that? What do we do?
AN EIGHT POINT ACTION PLAN
FIRST, as I mentioned, we need to respect each other as spiritual beings, followers and friends on the path of Vedic Dharma. We can become encouraged by coming together and associating in this way, and seeing the positive effects of the tradition on each other. Then we must cooperate and work together to assist ourselves and our friends along this path, and there are many ways in which we can do this, of which I will mention only a few here.
SECONDLY, we utilize our freedom to assemble and rejoice in the Vedic festivals and celebrations that we can observe. This makes way for the joys of life, and also creates many samskaras of these happy times in the minds of our children, the memories of which last for many years and propels them to do the same with their children. This is love, this is what we want, love for God and love for each other as parts of God.
THIRDLY, the Indian community in America is one of the wealthiest. According to Vedic Dharma, such wealth is a tool to either help spiritualize your life, or build a crown on your head, the weight of which will only drag you down into darker realms in the next life if you are a miser. There also is nothing more beneficial than to help secure the spiritual progress of others, whoever they may be. We may start with our own families, but when we contribute to the construction of new temples, and to the maintenance and the programs and festivals held at existing temples, it is certainly the most beneficial use of our money and our earnings. And when used in this way, it purifies the time we spent in earning it, and turns our occupation into karma and bhakti yoga. Furthermore, you then share in the good fortune of the spiritual progress made by others through your contributions. It is similar to a network marketing program where the more people you sign up under you and help them be successful, the more you also earn. But this is spiritual, so this goes into your spiritual bank account. Thus, the more people who participate in any programs you arrange or support, such as those at a temple, the more spiritual credit or punya you get for the spiritual progress they make. And this can go on for generations, long after you have left this world, depending on what it is that you arrange or establish. Is there a better way to leave your mark in this world than in benefiting others in such a way, as well as yourself? And if you cannot start or do your own projects, at least support those people who are already working in this way. This is far better than dying with large bank accounts that you cannot take with you into the next realm.
These days we can see Indians in America of all status who do anything and spend all kinds of money so their children can go to the most prestigious or most costly universities available. It is almost like a competition in who can boast the most about what colleges their children are going to. And what happens? Much of the time their children become wealthy materialists with little or no interest in the culture or in following Vedic Dharma. They earn lots of money only to spend lots of money on temporary, bodily pursuits. But why not? This is the way they were pushed by their own parents, so what else can we expect. Or people spend lavish amounts of money on weddings. It is a grand festival, but within a few days, its all over and what has the money really done, other than provide something more to boast about? Is this the best we can do? I don't think so. Why not be a little more moderate and spend more money for really benefiting others and future generations by giving for the preservation of the Dharma.
FOURTHLY, educating yourselves and the youth in the Vedic customs and its philosophy is of extreme importance. The number one reason why Hindus convert to other religions is not because the other faiths are so much more organized and well-funded, though this may sometimes be a part of it. But it is primarily that Hindus are not educated enough in their own traditions and Vedic philosophy. They may go to the temple and do pujas, but they may not even know the significance of them, or the spiritual knowledge that is a part of the Vedic tradition, or the depth of this spiritual philosophy. Thus, it is important that everyone is educated properly. This can be done by holding regular group classes and discussions in the temple. And if this is not so easy, I have seen where people get together on a weekly basis to read, comment on and discuss such sacred texts as the Bhagavad-gita among themselves. This is extremely important so that people, and especially the youth, understand their own culture more deeply and can perceive the profound nature of it. I have already written an action plan with a list of points on how to help make the temples more effective.
FIFTHLY, we may do all of the above, but we also must realize that all we do to preserve and protect the Dharma can not be fully accomplished without its promotion. Yes, we have to promote the good and the depth of this Vedic culture. Such promotion may start amongst other Hindus, or within our family, Indian community, etc. Or it may also be done in ways to share our culture with other non-Hindus who are interested, such as inviting them to a festival, to the temple and showing them around, or just having a lunch with them at the local Indian restaurant and sharing the stories of your own life on how your culture has had positive affects on you. This is easy, there is nothing hard about it. And if you don't know what to say, then give them a brochure, or a booklet or book that explains the basics of the philosophy so they can start to understand it or look more deeply into it. (And I have got plenty of free brochures or booklets on my website or that I can send you if you need them.) Basically, whether you like this idea or not, we must learn to promote the values of the Vedic tradition in order to help preserve and protect it, and so others can appreciate it by seeing what it has to offer. This is a reality of these times, and the need for people to understand us. No matter what other religions you see, they all engage in strong promotion in order for people to understand them, or to attract other people to support or be a part of them. Thus, without proper promotion of Vedic culture, the cultivation of it and the protection and preservation of it remains incomplete. If we can present it properly, in a way in which it makes sense to the people, then they will understand it. Its all in the presentation.
Such promotion may also include advertising the activities at the local temple, or about the festivals that are being held, or that all in the community are welcome to attend. Such promotion may also involve preparing publications, websites, radio programs, and other ways that help people to get to know about the unique and profound characteristics of the Vedic culture. You never know what might happen through such endeavors. You may find others, such as westerners, who want to participate, or even help support the temple, festivals or projects.
To give an example, I was giving a presentation to around 120 people of an interfaith group at the Cincinnati Hindu temple. It was a presentation on how the Divine appears in Vedic art and the various forms and deities of God. Later, as the people were given a tour of the temple and further explanations of the temple deities, so many people came up to me to express how much they liked the presentation and slide show. But they also would say that though they have been Catholics, or practicing Jews for years, they have never felt a strong connection to their religion. But they were really attracted and felt a kinship with what they were experiencing at the Hindu temple that evening. So, we encouraged them to visit more often and read about the Vedic traditions to learn more about it. This proves that you never know what can happen, and that people from all walks of life can feel attracted. We need to realize how special this spiritual culture is and not be afraid to share it with others.
SIXTHLY, we must object to all prejudice against Vedic culture and Hinduism in the media. Why are people so easy going about writing and publishing any damn criticism about India and Hindus and Hinduism? Because they know that in most cases, no one and nothing will be done about it. No one will stand up against them. This attitude must change. In America free press is for everyone. In other words, you can also write into the editor of any publication to object to something you disagree with. However, the point to remember is that the more who do that, the more effective it is. And this is where group cooperation becomes very important and influential. If someone denigrates a Hindu or Hinduism, it is not so difficult to write a letter and demand an apology. But if that same letter is circulated to a large group, along with the email or address of the editor, and many people start signing it and sending it in, it will flood the editor's office or email address and certainly get noticed. In today's world of communication, a program of protest could be put together and accomplished within a few days.
A standard letter could be posted on a website in which blanks are there in the form to fill in for whatever incident is to be described, and then used to send into the editor, writer, publisher, or whoever. This makes it very easy, and less likely that such incidents will go without protest. We need to do things in this way.
We also need to process lawsuits as well. Utilizing part of our money in defense of Vedic Dharma in lawsuits against slander or other crimes against Vedic culture and those who follow it will also help make sure that people become more cautious about committing such acts again. These and other methods need to be taken into consideration to make sure that people and the media realize that Hindus are a force to be reckoned with. American Hindus must clearly understand that they cannot remain silent or wonder who will be the fodder for the next racist policeman or person who wants to take their anger out on them. For too long Hindus have not been organized and have remained apathetic to what has gone on around them or to them. This needs to change.
SEVEN. This leads to point number seven, in which American Hindus must become politically active. This does not simply mean that you vote, or that you attend fundraisers for your favorite candidate to have a photo with them that you can hang on your wall. How has that helped anything? We need to get more serious. American Hindus can also volunteer in large numbers in political campaigns to show the force that we can have, that politicians realize we are a great force that they will want on their side. But we should also vote as a block. We should look seriously at the issues any candidate is addressing, and then vote for the person who will be best for the interests of American Hindus and relations between the U.S. and India.
Presently, there are also more Indians in America that have been voted into various offices than ever before. Unfortunately, some are converted Christians. But the point is that it is not so difficult to get started. American Hindus can also run for school boards, city councils, for mayor, and on up to state governor. We should see that as not merely a chance to get into office, but a chance to show the influence of Vedic thought and ideas on the issues of the day, and a chance to show the beauty of the Vedic culture. I had a friend who ran for office in Hawaii. He had no money, no influence, but as he appeared on television shows, and in debates, he gained influence and support. He did not win the election, but everyone knew of his connection with Vedic culture and people admired him. If he would have continued to run for office in following elections, he may have won. In other words, it is all positive. We simply have to step out and do it. And if people do take notice, or if we do win, it can be a major step in preserving, protecting and promoting the beauty of Vedic culture, which can also be appreciated and utilized by Americans themselves. Then instead of you wanting to get in a photo with your favorite politician, people will want their photo with you.
EIGHT. The last point is dealing with interfaith marriages. This is happening on an increasing level. As they say, love is often blind, keeping you from seeing the realities that will become apparent down the road. But statistics have shown that most interfaith marriages dissolve, ending with divorce, especially when the issue of children comes up and the decision has to be made regarding how they are going to be raised, and what religion will they follow. The fact is that most Hindu girls who marry outside the Hindu fold either convert or allow their spouse to have control over the children in regard to their faith. And Hindu boys often do the same thing. Therefore, whenever an interfaith marriage occurs, much of the time you can figure that by the next generation or two, that family will no longer be following Vedic culture. They will be something else, which contributes to what may be viewed as the slow demise of the Vedic tradition. That is why the fourth point about educating yourselves, your children and giving them the right association and friendship through temples and youth or Dharmic camps can be so helpful for them to realize the depth of what the Vedic philosophy has to offer, and to keep them in the Hindu fold. This can help pave the way for them to realize the importance of this to their future, their children, and the future generations of their family if they remain in the Dharmic fold by marrying another Hindu, or someone who wants to follow it.
These are all powerful ways in which the community of American Hindus can work together to cultivate and benefit from the oldest living, spiritual tradition on earth, as well as preserve and protect the Vedic tradition. Let us all help each other do this. Dharma Rakshati Rakshitah. Jai Sri Krishna.
lagna in D-1 and D-3. It is weak in D-9 in the 12th house in Scorpio, associated with Saturn, showing that he must have already started graying but masking it with some hair dye. 
According to the survey, more than half of the respondents said going grey was their worst fear. Hair loss or thinning, is the second most common concern, worrying 40% of the respondents to the Mintel survey of 2,000 British men. Unwanted hair (in the nose and ears) preoccupied 38% of respondents, being overweight bothered 37% and 30% were worried about yellowing teeth.
And, it seems that 45 is the age where real discontent sets in about how a chap sees himself. More than a quarter of those aged between 45 and 54 disliked four aspects of their appearance, compared to an average of over one in ten men.
"Although grey hair is traditionally seen as a mark of distinction in men, the reality is many men are unhappy with their newfound gravitas," the Daily Mail quoted a spokesman for Mintel, a market survey firm.
"The physical changes associated with ageing can act as a catalyst to mid-life crisis as men become less content with their appearance after the age of 45," he added.
