Posted By

Tags

Hindus unite to battle global economic challenges

World Hindu Economic Forum under way in Chicago, USA
Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 9, 2018
Tariffs that impede international trade, rising incidents of terrorism, economic tyranny and the general discord and disharmony are some of the issues that are being discussed at the third quadrennial World Hindu Economic Forum currently being held in Chicago, USA.

Organised by the World Hindu Congress, the three-day Forum (September 7 to 9, 2018), is being attended by more than 2200 delegates from 50 countries, among who are ministers of various governments, world religious leaders, politicians, law enforcers, industrialists, businesspersons and film stars.
Indian Newslink understands that there are a few representing the Hindu Council of New Zealand at the global meet.

The Theme

The theme of the World Hindu Economic Forum, being held at Westin Hotel is ‘Optimism, Innovation & Partnerships,’ inspired by the Hindu Principle, ‘Sumantrite Suvikrante’ (‘Think Collectively, Achieve Valiantly’).
The Forum is a demonstration of the economic, social and entrepreneurial power that Hindus wield worldwide, although not all delegates and speakers are Hindus.
It also showcases how the values, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the global Hindu community find expression in a variety of spheres.
The Forum this year will also provide first-hand insights into the North and South American markets and pursue opportunities for mutual growth.

Mahesh Bindra with Swami Vigyananand, Founder & Global Chairman of the World Hindu Foundation in Chicago

Prominent Hindus

I am not sure if Shantanu Narayen, the 56-year-old Chief Executive of Adobe, a winner of the Economic Times Award this year is attending the Forum but for the record, he is one of the most prominent Hindus who have made a mark in the corporate world.
He directed the maker of PDF file format transition to a cloud-based subscription model that ensured recurring income, instead of one-time licencing of its software.
Under his stewardship, Adobe crossed US$ 100 billion in market capitalisation this year. The company is valued in excess of US $ 125 billion now.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a message at the inaugural session.
Art of Living Foundation Head Sri Ravishankar, Chinmaya Mission Worldwide Head Swami Swaroopananda, and representatives from Gayatri Parivar, Brahma Kumaris, the Vedanta Society of Chicago and the Belur Math in Kolkata are also in attendance.

Mahesh Bindra with Dr David Frawley (now known as Vamadeva Shastri), a renowned Philosopher who converted to Hinduism at the World Economic Forum, Chicago

Seven Parallel Conferences

The event also features Plenary and Valedictory sessions and seven parallel conferences on Economy, Education, Media, Women Participation, Hindu organisations, Youth and Politics.
The goal is to understand the challenges facing Hindus globally and collaborate on possible solutions.
Among the speakers at the Economic Conference are CEO Emerson Electric Ed Monser, FedEx Vice-President & Chief Marketing Officer Raj Subramaniam, Vice President Walmart Dan Bryant and Columbia University Professor Arvind Panagariya. Their speeches are on India’s economic trajectory, business potential in India and entrepreneurship.

Mahesh Bindra at the Forum

Former Member of Parliament Mahesh Bindra was one of the speakers at the Political Conference of the Forum on Saturday, September 8, 2018 (Chicago, Illinois, CDT).
He spoke of his political journey that took him to New Zealand Parliament for a three-year term (September 2014 to September 2017) on New Zealand First Party List and “how his Leader Winston Peters is often misunderstood, misinterpreted and quoted out of context.”

Mahesh Bindra speaking at the World Hindu Economic Forum, Chicago on Saturday, September 8, 2018

The first World Hindu Economic Forum was held in 2012 in Hong Kong, followed by successful annual forums in Bangkok (2013), New Delhi (2014) London (2015), Los Angeles (2016) and several other regional forums.
The 2017 conference in Nairobi was cancelled due to re-elections in Kenya and related political uncertainty.

About Swami Vivekananda

Chicago holds a special interest for Hindus for it was in this City that Swami Vivekananda delivered his famous speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions on September 11, 1893.
The following is an extract:
“I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.

Swami Vivekananda

A Great Religion

“I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their Holy Temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny.
“I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings:
“As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to thee.”

(All Pictures Supplied)

Share this story

Related Stories

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Indian Newslink

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement

Previous slide
Next slide

Advertisement