Editorial October 2023
| Dear Readers,
First and foremost, on behalf of the entire team at Desh Videsh Media Group, I would like to congratulate BAPS Swaminarayan followers on the opening of the Akshardham Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. On October 8, 2023, BAPS opened the doors to its new temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. This magnificent temple is the second-largest Hindu temple in the world and the largest outside of Asia. It is a testament to the faith and devotion of BAPS Swaminarayan followers around the globe. The new temple in Robbinsville is a reflection of the values of the BAPS Swaminarayan faith. It is a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to worship, learn, and serve. The temple is also a cultural center that offers a variety of programs and events for the community. In addition to being a place of worship, the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Robbinsville is also a center for cultural exchange and education. The temple offers a variety of programs and events for people of all ages and backgrounds. These programs include classes on Hinduism, yoga, meditation, and Indian culture. The temple also hosts a variety of cultural events, such as concerts, dance performances, and festivals. The BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Robbinsville is a valuable asset to the community. It is a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to learn about Hinduism, Indian culture, and the importance of serving others. We congratulate the BAPS Swaminarayan community on the opening of this new temple and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Madi Taru Kanku Kharyu Ne Suraj Ugyo, yes it is that time of the year again. Now let me talk about one of my most favorite Hindu festivals, Navratri. Navratri is a nine-day festival that celebrates the nine forms of the Hindu goddess Shakti. It is a time for celebration, devotion, and reflection. It is also a time to come together with family and friends to celebrate the divine feminine. The Hindu holiday season, which this year begins in October and ends with the lavish Diwali celebration in November, is now in full swing. It is the beginning of the holiday season, which will last for the next two months and include numerous significant festivities. Families and communities can get together during these festivals to celebrate our Hindu religion and culture and to express thanks for all the blessings in their lives. This year, Navratri begins on October 15th and ends on October 23rd. During this time, many Hindus observe a fast, attend special prayers and rituals, and decorate their homes with flowers and lights. Most importantly, raas garba fans like me dance all nine days. Navratri is also a time to remember the importance of good over evil. It is a time to reflect on our own lives and to strive to be better people. It is also a time to be grateful for all the blessings that we have in our lives. As we celebrate Navratri this year, I wish you all the best. May you be blessed with happiness, health, and prosperity. May you also be blessed with the strength and courage to overcome any challenges that you may face. No matter how you choose to celebrate Navratri, I hope that you have a blessed and joyful festival. Jai Mata Di! Now let me turn to the most popular festival for Hindus all over the world, Diwali. As we celebrate Diwali and the Hindu New Year for my Gujarati readers, we at Desh-Videsh Media Group would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers a very happy and prosperous holiday season. Diwali is the festival of lights, and it is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. It is also a time to come together with family and friends to share in the joy of the season. The Hindu New Year is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the new year with hope and optimism. It is time to set new goals and make resolutions to become the best versions of ourselves. We hope that you will enjoy this special time of year with your loved ones. May your Diwali be filled with light, laughter, and love. And may your Hindu New Year be filled with new beginnings, new opportunities, and new blessings. I wish you all a very happy Diwali and a happy New Year! In addition to the above, we would also like to share some of our thoughts on the importance of these two holidays. Diwali is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. It is a time to celebrate the light that shines within each of us and to spread that light to others. The Hindu New Year is a time to renew our commitment to living our lives to the fullest. It is a time to set new goals and strive to become the best versions of ourselves. We hope that you will join us in celebrating these two special holidays. May the light of Diwali shine brightly in your lives, and may the Hindu New Year bring you all the happiness and prosperity that you deserve. Now let me talk about the articles covered in this issue. In the article, How PM Modi’s Gift-Giving Diplomacy Promotes Indian Culture, I have written in great detail about how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has elevated the art of gift-giving diplomacy to a new level. His thoughtful and carefully selected gifts to foreign leaders have not only strengthened India’s bilateral ties but also promoted Indian culture and heritage on the global stage. Modi’s gift-giving diplomacy is rooted in the ancient Hindu tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava, which means “Guest is God.” In accordance with this tradition, Modi chooses gifts that are not only valuable and meaningful but also reflective of India’s rich cultural diversity. Speaking about Hindu tradition, my dear friend Dr. Mohini Shinde has cleared the air and debunked Udhayanidhi Stalin’s erroneous assertions regarding Sanatan Dharma. She has gone through the background of Sanatan Dharma and examined how it has developed over time to become the worldwide religion practiced by millions of Hindus. I hope that after reading this post, everyone has a better knowledge of Sanatan Dharma and the reasons why Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks are false and without merit. Let me conclude this column by expressing my gratitude to Aditi Rao and Daksh Parikh, two teenage Hindu boys and girls who sent lovely poems on Diwali. I want to thank their parents for introducing them to Hindu culture at a young age.
Happy Navaratri, Diwali, and New Year once more! Raj Shah |
