Hindu American Foundation Newsletter: January 25, 2007

January 26, 2007

Hindu American Foundation <info (AT) hinduamericanfoundation (DOT) org> wrote: "Hindu American Foundation" <info (AT) hinduamericanfoundation (DOT) org>

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:07:53 -0800

HAF Newsletter January 25, 2007

Promoting Understanding, Tolerance, and Pluralism

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Year 2006: A Year of Diplomatic and Political Progress

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India Political Novices Created History

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Inside This Newsletter

HAF Concerned About Bangladesh Emergency Declaration

HAF Denounces Temple Entry Ban on Harijans (Dalits) in Orissa

HAF and AJC to Co-Host Panel on India in the 21st century

Looking for Volunteers!

Special Article

HAF Addresses American Academy of Religions and DANAM Conference

American Academy of Religions/Dharma Association of North America Annual Conference

Nov. 17 - 21, 2006 - Washington D.C.

Presented by

Suhag Shukla, Esq.,

Hindu American Foundation Legal Counsel

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HAF is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501©(3) organization. Tax I.D. 68-055-1525

HAF Concerned About Bangladesh Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, DC (January 12, 2007). The Hindu American Foundation expressed distress and concern at the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangladesh on January 11, effectively postponing general elections that were scheduled to be held January 22, 2007.

"The increasing violence, accusations of partisanship, voter-list fraud, and now the state of emergency do not bode well for the sustenance of democracy in Bangladesh and to the security and well-being of its minorities, especially the nearly 14 million Hindus", said Dr. Aseem Shukla, Member, Board of Directors, Hindu American Foundation.

Since the declaration of emergency rule effects army control of law and order, and imposes restrictions on the media, world leaders have expressed fears of further destabilization of democratic rule in Bangladesh. "Unless and until there is a cessation of the pandering to extremist and fundamentalist Islamic forces, democratic governance and rule of law are compromised", said Ramesh Rao, Executive Council Member, Hindu American Foundation. "Let us hope that the two major political parties – the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party – will sit together and sort out differences, and promise to the world community a secular, multi-party, democratic governance in Bangladesh that will assure its minorities safety, security, and equal treatment under the law."

For further information: Please contact HAF.

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HAF Denounces Temple Entry Ban on Harijans (Dalits) in Orissa

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 23, 2006) - The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) bemoaned as "archaic, inhumane and discriminatory" the ‘purification’ of the Jagannath temple by priests in the village of Keradagarh in Orissa, India after Harijans ("Dalits") entered to worship. In the past, Harijans have only been permitted to worship the Deity at the Keradagarh temple through nine holes carved in the wall of the temple.

The Foundation had applauded the Orissa High Court ruling earlier this month that all Hindus, irrespective of caste, should be allowed to enter the temple after Harijan women were attacked attempting to enter the temple in November 2004. Armed with a court order and under police protection, Harijans entered the temple on December 14, 2006. Immediately following, temple priests closed the temple and performed ‘purification’ rituals, while other caste villagers staged a hunger strike.

"The bigoted and vile practice of discriminating against fellow Hindus by not allowing entry into a temple should be condemned and immediately stopped," stated Ishani Chowdhury, the Foundation’s Executive Director. "Hinduism does not support caste-based discrimination in spiritual practice and our Foundation demands full equality for Hindus regardless of caste, community, race, or nation of birth."

The Constitution of India outlaws discrimination against its citizens based on caste, and the banning of temple entry to Harijans has largely disappeared in urban areas and at most major Hindu temples. The leaders of the Foundation strongly advocated prosecution and even incarceration of the "retrograde" minority that may seek to deny Harijans their spiritual and religious freedom to worship.

It is reported that members of the local royal family, whose ancestors had built the Jagannath temple some 300 years ago, negotiated with the Harijans and other villagers on December 17, 2006. An agreement was reached whereupon the holes in the temple wall would be demolished to create a common corridor for all Hindus.

"It was the Puri Jagannath temple in the same state of Orissa that served as home of the great saint Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who taught the Hare Krishna mahamantra to people of all castes, overruling then orthodox objections to the same. It is a sad commentary on the current priests that they would deny the Harijans the right to worship in the very state that Sri Chaitanya lived," said Swaminathan Venkataraman, member of HAF’s Executive Council.

For further information: Please contact HAF.

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HAF and AJC to Co-Host Panel on India in the 21st century

HAF and AJC to Co-Host

"India in the 21st century: An Emerging Power and Partner"

Co-hosted by the American Jewish Committee and the Hindu American Foundation

Wednesday, January 24, 2007: 5pm - 7pm

Palace Hotel

French Parlor - 2nd floor

2 New Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

5:00 - 5:30: Reception with appetizers and wine

5:30 - 7:00: Program

This program will address the relationship and shared values and challenges of three nations - Israel, India, and the United States - as well as the American Jewish Committee's unique work in India and with the Indian community in the Bay Area.

PANEL:

Consul General B.S. Prakash - Consulate of India - on the India-US relationship

Consul General David Akov - Consulate of Israel - on the Israel-India relationship

Priya Tandon - AJC's India Director - on the AJC-India relationship

AJC San Francisco Chapter Leaders - on AJC's work with the local Indian community

Swaminathan Venkataraman – Hindu American Foundation Executive Council Member - on the local Hindu-Jewish partnership

RSVP by January 22, 2007. For security reasons, there will be no admittance without a reservation.

This program is underwritten by a grant from the Koret Foundation. There is no charge for this program.

For further information: Please contact HAF.

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Looking for Volunteers!

We are looking for volunteers for the following positions. If interested, please contact volunteer (AT) hafsite (DOT) org. Report Writer:

Skills Needed: Writing, online searches, and experience writing reports to work with a small team.

Time Commitment: 8-10 hours of fairly intensive work weekly.

Duration: January 2007 through March 2007.

Volunteers will receive complete instructions, and work with a devoted team of experienced HAF personnel. Volunteer must be available via email and phone.

Marketing Intern:

Skills Needed: Creative drive, vision and familiarity in non-profit marketing to increase exposure for HAF. Must be able to think out of the box, and should be familiar with graphic design software ( e.g. Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, etc.)

Time Commitment: 3-5 hours weekly.

Portfolio requested.

Webmaster:

Skills needed: HTML, PHP, MySQL, Javascript, CSS, Dreamweaver, Basic Graphic Design

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week.

Tasks Involved:

- Uploading of new web content such as press releases

- Adding new sections for special campaigns/events e.g. Deepavali, California Textbooks

- Infrequent PHP/MySQL scripting for special functionality e.g. petitions, e-cards

Mentorship from present webmaster and software will be provided.

Press Release/Media Writer:

Skills Needed: Strong writing skills and Internet research capability to help in writing press releases/media news feeds.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours weekly

Volunteers will receive complete instructions, and work alongside existing media personnel. Volunteer must be available via email and phone.

Political Intern:

Skills Needed: Internet searches, interest in politics, policy issues, abreast in the latest news and current events. Must be able to provide relevant information on legislative officials, parties, agencies, and non-profit organizations (NGOs). Intern will help in preparing detailed information for upcoming programs, meetings and sessions.

Time Commitment: 6-8 hours weekly

Those residing in the DC/Metro area have the option of working directly from HAF's office, and attending relevant meetings on the Hill.

Intern will assist the Executive Director. Intern must be available via email and phone. For further information: Please contact HAF.

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Tax I.D. 68-055-1525

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