Aurora, IL: Prof. Ved Nanda, HSS Sanghchalak, met with prominent Hindu and social leaders of Chicagoland on February 27 at the Eola Community Center, Aurora, IL. Around 65 people attended the meeting.
In his inspirational talk, Prof. Nanda touched upon several issues relating to the current phase through which Hindus in America are going through â need for Hindu unity, how can we work together selflessly and by keeping our egos aside in a synergistic way. He also appreciated the contribution of Hindu thoughts/views in social-economic-political strata and how Hindu ethos can bring about the peace in the world. He challenged the audience and asked as to what impact are we making on the society and how can we collectively further contribute to the society in which we live. Hindus have lots of things to contribute to the world. He also put forth the need and importance unity among the Hindu organizations in Chicagoland and asked for greater cooperation to the HSS activities. He praised the work being done by individual organizations, temples, social groups but provoked the audience âwhat are we doing as a collective-united team?â
At length, Prof. Nanda shared his experience on how the Hindu society and HSS USA has responded to the needs of Bhutanese Hindu refugees in their resettlement in the US and work done by Sewa International, VHP and other organizations.
In his eloquent speech Prof. Nanda elaborated the need to encourage our next generation boys and girls to venture into areas such as education, social sciences, journalism, political sciences and highly praised the accomplishments of Hindus in the fields of research, medicine, engineering, information technology.
Some of Prof. Nandaâs thought provoking remarks at the meeting were: How come great Hindu scriptures such as the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, are not a part of the education system in the US? How can the great Hindu values that we cherish do not have a first rank place in the systems and in the society. Hindus were the first ones who thought of the ecology, environmental issues..how come they are not talked in the main stream society. Hinduâs respect of all the beliefs, faiths, great tolerance it has shown for several thousands of years is not talked, promoted in the society? He quoted the remarks made by H.H. Dalai Lama when he met him at his place in Dharamshala India, that India is my Guru…India is a Punyabhoomi, values that Hindus have given to the world are priceless, they are for the entire humanity.
Prof. Nanda also shared his association with Chicago dating back in early 1960s. He also shared his experience in Denver university as to how young Indians are coming forward to offer volunteer services via Sewa International, similarly he also shared his experiences of rising Hindu awareness on a worldwide basis.
Prof. Nanda answered all the questions that came from the audience and appreciated the passion, concerns the questions were based upon. Very humbly he thanked the attendees for coming to the meeting. He then introduced HSS Karyakartas of the Chicago land to the attendees and requested for support to them.
HSS Karyakartas planned the event in a timely and disciplinary manner. Team work exhibited by HSS volunteers was appreciated by the attendees. The event started with networking hour, light snacks, tea etc. were served to all. The main event started with Ekatmata mantra, followed by Parichay of Prof. Nanda, Parichay of Hindu and social leaders present in the room.
Prof. Ved P. Nanda is the Vice Provost at the University of Denver and holds two named professorships at the University, John Evans University Professor and Thompson G. Marsh Professor of Law. He also serves as Director of the International Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
He has been a distinguished visiting professor and scholar at a number of universities in the United States and abroad.
Among numerous national and international awards, in September 2005, Professor Nanda was awarded the Highest Order of Justice in Shanghai, China, by the World Jurist Association, which had earlier presented him the World Legal Scholar award. In 2004 he received the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award for Peace Building from Soka Gakkai International and Morehouse College. He was also the recipient of the United Nations Associationâs Human Rights Award in 1997 and the Anti-Defamation Leagueâs Civil Rights Award in 1996.
He has received honorary doctorates from Soka University in Tokyo, Japan and from Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, India. He is widely published in law journals and national magazines, he has contributed efforts for 23 books in the various fields of international law and over 180 chapters and major law review articles.
