Hinduism, 9/11, and our grandson
Recently a friend had forwarded to me a Handbook of Hindu Rituals, with a fervent appeal to explain their importance to children of 8 to 12 when their inquisitiveness is at its peak.
The immediate reaction on reading such a message is to ask yourself: Do I measure up to his appeal? In this particular instance, however, I felt happy we do. Ashwin, our grandson, aged 7, attends an hour-long sloka class every Sunday. A senior MNC executive conducts the class. He selects a sloka, explains its meaning threadbare, and narrates related stories from Hindu scriptures. This is followed by a question-answer session on the sloka in particular and on the religion. It is heartening to watch the enthusiastic young ones vying with one another to respond. The accompanying parents, equally involved involuntarily, prompt answers from behind.
Every year the City of Phoenix observes a 9/11 ceremony to perpetuate the memory of those who lost their lives. This being the 10th year, they introduced a new item to their regular programme. They wished ten children below 8, from different religions, faiths, to convey in two minutes what his religion propounds which would run similar to: Do Unto others as you would have others do unto you, to emphasize that at the end of the day all religions try to get the same message across. The Sloka Guru selected Ashwin to represent Hinduism, and we felt elated at this honour.
Appearing in alphabetic order, it fell upon Ashwin to be the first on stage. My son, d-i-l, wife and I were a bit nervous. Reason? Only the previous night Ashwin had helped himself liberally with the Popsicle that my d-i-l had prepared as an experiment. Consequently the next morning his voice just would not take off. Fortunately at the function he delivered his portion to perfection.
The regular agenda included speakers connected with 9/11 in one way or the other. The wife of a victim spoke of the book that she had penned to perpetuate his memory. On each anniversary their son pledged to his departed father to uphold yet another good principle in life. The brother of a young innocent Sikh working in a gas station who was shot dead soon after 9/11, was all for forget and forgive and to work for the unity of America and fight terrorism.
A selected few belonging to different religions, faiths took the podium - one from Islam, a Jew, a Native Indian, a Sikh, a Catholic, and others. The programme ended with a soulful rendering on the subject by a lady who, I am sure, must be a professional.
Considering that the Phoenix temperature that day was anywhere between 110 and 115 F, the presence of around 200 people in the open ground, at midday, spoke highly of the dedication and commitment of the people for the values they cherished. A representative from the Fire Service stood in attention all through the function, as also a few in other uniforms I was unable to distinguish. Quite timely, a few young Sikhs, in their true spirit of seva, distributed bottled water to all those braving the sun, to quench their thirst.
The local TV channels covered the event in their evening bulletin, which fortunately featured Ashwin also. My wife also managed to get into the frame.
Later, a lady correspondent rang us up to seek permission to use Ashwin's photo in the local tabloid along with a write-up. We were only eager to grant it.
Ashwin laboured for the event, and gave a good account of himself. Quite deservedly he was treated at lunch in a restaurant of his choice - with us joining him.
V.V. Sundaram
Phoenix
19 October 2011
