WASHINGTON: Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar on Wednesday condemned the current assaults on Hindu temples within the US, saying such incidents shouldn’t be tolerated. “We must always not tolerate any sort of phobia, Hindu phobia. The religions are about love, serving to one another and doing good issues for one another. And these assaults on Hindu temples–I strongly condemn them and we should not tolerate that. I serve on the Homeland Safety Committee and I’m talking with my committee members about serving to spiritual organisations do higher potential. Present them the funds and assets they should defend the spiritual organisations and assist them struggle any sort of Hindu phobia, any sort of hatred that we see,” Thanedar mentioned.
Talking with ANI on the ‘Ramayana throughout Asia and Past’ occasion on the US Capitol Hill in Washington DC, Thanedar additionally weighed in on the opening of Ram Mandir on January 22, terming it as ‘historic’. He added that the development of temple is a proud second for each Indian. “I feel it means rather a lot. It is historic and it is a satisfaction for each Indian to see that temple constructed. I’ve seen photos of it and they’re spectacular. By way of the Ramayana epic, we convey folks collectively. It is a cultural bond that we’ve with likeminded folks and now we see Ramayana has been appreciated everywhere in the Asia-Pacific area with 15 completely different nations. It’s practiced and the Ramayana brings it to us. It is greater than epic. It’s the worth system. I grew up in a Hindu household, learning Ramayana and singing verses from Ramayana. So that’s only a second nature to me,” the Congressman mentioned.
Thailand’s ambassador to the US, Tanee Sangrat, mentioned the opening of Ram Mandir is a ‘delight’ for the folks of many nations and cekebrations are already underway because the occasion attracts close to. “It’s the delight of individuals not solely in Thailand however with many nations throughout Southeast Asia and throughout Asia Pacific that our widespread tradition is being celebrated and the approaching residence of the Rama,” the Thai envoy mentioned.
“It is a superb event for me to come back and share our tradition collectively on the Ramayana, which is the good story that we share within the Asia-Pacific area. Additionally it is a superb alternative to alternate our views with the diplomatic core, with the members of the group, congress and employees in regards to the story that everyone knows too effectively about good and evil,” he added.
HinduACTion’s landmark occasion — ‘Ramayana Throughout Asia and Past — at Capitol Hill on Wednesday noticed a singular gathering of distinguished diplomats and US lawmakers, underscoring the significance of cultural heritage in up to date geopolitics. The occasion was attended by the Ambassadors of Thailand to the U.S. Tanee Sangrat and India’s Ambassador to the U.S., together with U.S. Congressmen Jim Baird (R-IN), Max Miller (R-OH), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI). Key embassy employees from Bangladesh and Guyana, in addition to representatives from the places of work of Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs (D-CA), additionally marked their presence.
The focal message of the convention was the mixing of the Ramayana’s teachings in at present’s governance. The esteemed members applauded HinduACTion for his or her foresight in highlighting the necessity for a deeper comprehension of the Indo-Pacific area’s civilizational qualities and values. This perception is instrumental for American policymakers to develop nuanced relationships with the 16 nations within the area.
Suppose tank members from Sri Lanka additionally contributed their views on the need of strengthened Indian cooperation within the Indian Ocean, anchored in shared historic values and beliefs. In a poignant deal with, the Thai Ambassador spoke of the Ramayana’s everlasting affect on Thai society and its philosophical significance. Equally, the Indian Ambassador emphasised the Ramayana’s function in fostering morally sound geopolitical practices.
A cultural dance efficiency of the Ramayana superbly complemented the backdrop of exhibition panels, illustrating the epic’s interpretation throughout numerous Indo-Pacific nations. A major spotlight was the participation of members of the Afghan Hazara group, who shared their experiences in safeguarding Buddhist and Hindu monuments in Afghanistan from the Taliban.
In a gesture of cultural appreciation, every dignitary was honoured with a Tibetan scarf by HinduACTion, symbolising the occasion’s spirit of unity and respect for various traditions. HinduACTion is a non-profit group primarily based in Washington, DC devoted to empowering American pluralism by integrating STEM, meditation, and yoga with Hindu civilizational knowledge for inclusive insurance policies, media accuracy, and group engagement.