Renowned Indologist Dr. Koenraad Elst visited Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi and Bangalore during his India tour in January and delivered public lectures to generate awareness on important issues. At Chennai, he gave a lecture at the C. P. Ramaswamy Aiyar Foundation, on “Decolonizing the Hindu Mind.” On January 15, he spoke at Kochi on “Ayodhya: Facts and Controversies”, organized by the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram. On January 18, he spoke on “India’s Image in the West” at the Avinashilingam University, a lecture presided over by H. H. Swamini Vimalananda, Acharya, Chinmaya Mission. On January 19, Dr. Koenraad Elst addressed the students of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Ettimadai, on “Indian Culture and Heritage” his talk was presided over by Br. Abhayamrita Chaitanya, correspondent of Amrita Institutions. He later spoke to the students of the Avinashilingam Deemed University on “India’s Image in the West,” with Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Kulandai Vel, presiding over the function. On January 20, he also spoke at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, on “De-Colonizing Indian Minds.” Dr. Koenraad Elst also interacted with mediapersons on several occasions.
He remarked that the economic growth in India has boosted the image of India & Hinduism in the world and thust the BJP deserves our thanks, at least for this achievement. He cautioned the public against the “greed” of some scholars who claim that all modern scientific discoveries and knowledge could be found in the Vedas or other ancient Indian texts as such unsubstantiated claims damage even the genuine research into science in ancient India. Such claims become weapons in the hands of Marxist and other political groups. However, he added that “in future, we are going to have one universal civilisation in which the most valuable elements of every culture will have a place. Most of these will be traceable to India.” He also pointed out that the popular perception that India was mainly a land of religion and spirituality devoid of material and scientific progress also deserves to be corrected as there is much evidence to show that India had achieved great progress in all material fields of life too in the past.
Scientific Study of the Effect of Vedic Rituals
In April 2004, a gigantic Vedic Yajna called Saagnichitya Sarvaprushta Sarvasthoama Apthoaryaama Yaagam is due to be performed in Kerala with the joint collaboration of three organisations ¾ the Vedic Yajna Prathisthaan, Mulakunnathukavu and Om Shanti Dham, Bangalore, with the co-operation of Sroutha Shastra Parishad, Thrissur.
The organisers say that the main objectives of the event are “to scientifically evaluate the effects of Vedic rituals on nature, human beings, animals and plants with the help of eminent scientists and modern, sophisticated equipment.”
The lush green paddy fields adjoining the Sree Narayana temple in Mulakunnathukavu, Kerala, has been selected as the venue for the yajna. Rehearsals have already started to ensure that the rituals and chanting are done in a thorough manner. A notable feature of the event is the sincere effort to involve people from all sections of the society in various activities and functions of the yajna ¾ “ to bring the Veda to the common people and the common people to the Veda.”
A team of eminent scientists will be constituted to conceive, plan and execute scientific studies of the yajna’s effect on nature, human beings, animals and plants. Studies of the effect on environment will include study of atmospheric temperature, pressure, humidity, rainfall and study of electromagnetic fields and nuclear radiation. Studies on human beings will include measurement of brain waves and cardiological analyses. Studies on animals will include, besides others, behavioural patterns.
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
International Conference on
“India’s Intellectual Traditions in Contemporary Global Context”
The World Association for Vedic Studies, Inc. (WAVES), is organising its Fifth International Conference on “India’s Intellectual Traditions in Contemporary Global Context” between July 9-11, 2004 at the University of Maryland Shady Grove Campus, Washington, DC, USA.
The Conference aims at bringing together persons having scholarly interest in diverse areas of Indian Studies. These will include scholars, academics, authors, writers, journalists, media-persons, artists, etc., and of course the common man interested in past, present and future of Indian/Vedic Studies. Papers on any aspect of Indian studies can be sent for presentation. These will include those on Archaeology & Anthropology, History & Social Sciences, Language, Literature & Linguistics, Science & Technology, Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, Puranas, Epics ¾ Ramayana & Mahabharata, Gita, Contemporary Works and Issues, Dharma-Shastras, Ethics & Rituals, Agriculture, Plant Science & Ecology, Inter-Religious Dialogue, Health, Yoga & Martial arts, Business, Economics & Administration, etc.
Abstracts, running in about 200 words each, can be sent to Professor Bhu Dev Sharma, President, WAVES, (Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, USA), 2495 D Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA, Ph: 404-248-9494 (H), 404-880-6912 (O); Fax (404)880-6909, Email: sharmawaves@yahoo.co.in, bsharma@cau.edu.
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