WORLD VISION 2000 & UNIVERSITY SEMINARS: PURPOSE AND SCOPE By Gokul Kunnath, Atlanta, GA. The thunderous echoes of Swami Vivekananda's message in America will finally find its full expression in l992 and 1993 as we launch WORLD VISION 2000 - a series of programs that will ultimately transform the cultural foundation of this nation. It is a great fortune of the Hindus in the U.S.A. to be part of such a historic mission. But, the most fortunate of all are we, the Hindu Youths. Although Swamiji shook the religious and intellectual establishments of 19th century America, at that time there was no effective medium to propagate his message to the nation as a whole. America has witnessed a century of profound changes within its borders as we focus our attention to this great man and his universal message. One of the most important changes that has taken place in America is the presence of more than one million Hindus. When Swamiji came to the United States in 1893, there were very few Hindus who called America their home. This presence of Hindus in such large numbers by itself has facilitated a great role for Hindus in the making of America's future. What is more gratifying is the fact that apart from the Hindu immigrants from several nations, America has produced many great men and women who accept and propagate the spiritual message of ancient Bharat. The great work done by these Americans have gone unnoticed by the Hindu community. For example, today, a large segment of the American populace believe in the idea of life after death or rebirth. Millions of people have started practicing Meditation and Yoga. Even the food habits of Americans are changing fast to the extent that people are not only concerned about what they eat but how much food they should eat. All these are welcome news. However there are more fundamental and lasting changes that have been brought by these great Americans in every sphere of human activity . The world of ours is going through profound changes even as we meditate on this beautiful subject of change. Humanity has witnessed the emergence, acceptance, and demise of many ideas and concepts that could enhance and enrich humanity. Hundreds of wars have been waged to gain the supremacy of one idea over the other. Many nations and cultures have been subjected to so much of pain and suffering, death and destruction. When we look at the history of the Holy Land of Hindus - Bharat, we see that our ancestors were victims of so many invasions and they were subjected to undescribable suffering. Millions of our forefathers were killed in the process. But, thanks to the enduring spirit of our people and our unshakeable faith in the Truth, we have emerged from a millennium of darkness, death, and destruction. But, if all that happened in the past to us Hindus as a people and people around the world in their own nations, is to be avoided, then, humanity needs to recognize certain universal ideals that will bring all nations, cultures, and religions closer. Humanity can experience peace, harmony, and progress through friendship, fellowship, and cooperation. It is in this context the message of the late Swami Vivekananda assumes great relevance for the modern world. We are at the dawn of a new age, a new world view, and a new human order. All of us can ask ourself a pertinent question. What do I have to do with this new age and the future of humanity? Well, to be fair, the world will have to enter into a new age if we are to preserve our species and this planet. Hence, the global transformation has begun. We, the Hindu students in America, can act as a catalyst to accelerate the pace of this change. We have a historic opportunity to be a part of this noble endeavor as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the advent of Swami Vivekananda to the West. It is with this view that Hindu Students Council has decided to undertake a historic mission of presenting World Vision 2000 to scores of college campuses across America. World Vision 2000 is a project being initiated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America,Inc. This project constitutes a series of programs up to the year 2000 to educate the world on an alternative vision based on Vedanta. Acceptance of this vision by the global community will enrich and enhance our lives at every level of existence. This vision can offer new perspectives on family life, religious life, socio-economic-political systems, industrial and technological deve- lopment, and education. Vishwa Hindu Parishad intends to hold a global conference in l993 at Washington on the theme of World Vision 2000. The conference will be attended by great thinkers, philosophers, spiritual, social, political, and business leaders, scientists, and educationalists. The delegates will discuss how Vedanta can offer new perspectives and solutions to global issues and challenges. VHP is also planning to organize mass gatherings in large metropolitan areas of the United States to present the message of Swami Vivekananda - the message of Vedanta. Hindu Students Council has taken up the responsibility of presenting the message of Swami Vivekananda and the concept of World Vision 2000 to the students and faculty members at one hundred of academic institutions in U.S.A. So, here we are with a great task and great aspirations for a better world. In the coming months ahead, HSC volunteers across America will have to work hard to realize this noble mission. We must educate ourselves about the teachings of the great saint and visionary - Swami Vivekananda and share these ideas with our fellow American brothers and sisters. I am hopeful all our HSC members will be inspired and motivated to work. The seminars that HSC will organize in various college campuses will not only gain enthusiastic support from our American brothers and sisters, but, will also strengthen our organizational network and membership in U.S.A. May the Almighty grant us the vision and energy so that we may be worthy instruments to fulfill this Divine mission. The seminars to be held in various campuses will only become successful if a team if Hindu students are inspired to work hard. Let us try to reach out to every Hindu student, or others who has respect for Hindu ideals. There are several youth organizations on campuses promoting Yoga, meditation, Eastern studies, etc. The new age movement which has accepted the great ideas of the East should be brought closer to our vision. Let us contact all the faculty members who have anything to do with Hindu philosophy or Bharat. Let us invade the American Campuses armed with the vision of Vedanta. Seminars can be arranged depending upon the strength of our human resources in each campus. Whether it is a 2 hour program or a whole day activity, let us attempt to organize a successful event. We should seek the attendance of a pro-Hindu personality (preferably a recognized American). She/he can share what impresses them about Hindu culture and religion. One of the students can prepare a presentation on the message of Swamiji (Chicago Address). Besides these two items you may add anything that would be consistent with the theme of the seminar - Swami Vivekananda's message to the West. INSET FOR THE ARTICLE: ********************************************************************** You may turn this to a big one day program with the following activities: * Continuous slide/video show on World Vision 2000 project and Life and message of Swami Vivekananda * Poster/model display/exhibition on Swami Vivekananda's life and message and documents (quotes, newspaper cutting etc.) to depict Swamijis connection to the West * Book exhibition/sell & distribution of brochures * Food/snack selling * Cultural Program. * 2 - 4 talks by different speakers (on the theme of World Vision 2000) * A question answer session. You can make it a few hours to one whole day program depending on your resources. A brochure and package on these program will be prepared soon. For more information please contact: Gokul Kunnath (404) 952-7019 or Kanchan Banerjee (617) 227-3023 **********************************************************************