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'Controversial'
Narendra Modi?
To
the Editors,
I’ve
always thought that Hindu Voice UK offers balanced and rational
coverage of current affairs, but you’ve disappointed me
this time, with your coverage of Narendra
Modi’s victory in the recent Gujarat elections.
In the headline, what was the need to put the word ‘controversial’
before his name? The effect is that you are putting a stigma on
him, or pre-judging him of being guilty of the charges which his
detractors ceaselessly blame him of. The article would have been
appropriate but for the reckless headline. You claim to be a voice
for Hindus. But most Hindus do not think of Modi as a controversial
figure, but a heartfelt genuine politician working, a rarity in
today’s world.
Sumit
Shivanathan
[Leicester, UK]
Response:
Our inclusion of ‘controversial’ in the headline was
not a judgment on Narendra Modi, but rather a reference denoting
the fact that he arouses an extremely mixed variety of feelings
and passions in Indians and those who follow Indian politics,
ranging from mass adulation, to out and out hatred.
Re:
David Frawley
To Hindu Voice
UK,
I
noticed that you regularly publish articles and extracts written
by David Frawley, and appear to give him status of being an authoritative
voice on Hinduism. I have nothing personal against him, but what
kind of message does it give out that a white man, not a born
Hindu, should be the teacher of Hinduism to born Hindus? I think
it reinforces a colonial subservience that lingers on in Indians
and people of Indian origin around the world.
Mohan Gupta
[New Jersey, USA]
Response:
It is our view that race, and even being born a Hindu, is of little
importance in teaching about Hinduism. What matters is the knowledge
that a person has attained, the way in which they live, and their
ability to express teachings in a way that people can.
Dhan
Dhana Dhan Goal
Dear
Hindu Voice UK,
I
agree with the reviewer that Dhan
Dhana Dhan Goal makes you cringe with embarrassment
at the lack of realism inherent in virtually all aspects of the
film. I can’t however agree with the redeeming qualities
which he seems to attribute to the film. Sheer trash!
Sincerely,
Premal
Agrawal
[London, UK]
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Re:
English translations of the Hindu scriptures - 1
To Hindu Voice UK,
Sheena
Patel gave a valuable
insight into the limitations of English translations of Hindu
scriptures. A point which was not mentioned in the
article however is that reading any written work is inherently
limited when used as a stand alone way of learning any subject.
Hindu wisdom was traditionally taught in groups, where discussion
and a living example in the form of the Guru helped the individual
to grasp the philosophy together with their practical life-applications.
I think to make Hinduism more accessible regular discussion
groups need to be set up as these would enable a more balanced
understanding of the divine wisdom, and enable it to become
a living part of people’s lives rather than just abstract
philosophy.
Pooja
Gupta
[New York, USA]
Re:English
translations of the Hindu scriptures - 2
Namaste, Jai Shri Rama.
An
excellent article by Sheena Patel on the issues surrounding
English translations of Hindu scriptures. I fully agree that
the best works are those offered by great Hindu sages of the
19th and 20th century, such as Sri Aurobindo and B. G. Tilak.
As mentioned, unfortunately, their English tends to be difficult
for all but the very academically orientated to persevere with
reading. We can’t blame them however, they write in a
format that was appropriate to their own era and audience. It
is the fault of modern Hindus for not producing well written,
easy to understand summaries and translations based on the writing
of such great sages. I hope that Hindus take up this mission
and make sure that their efforts end up in all major bookshops
and libraries. This would automatically create a change in the
knowledge and awareness level of Hindus and Hinduism, as well
as in the wider public.
Ritesh
Gadhvi
[Manchester, UK]
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