A similar experience, though on much smaller scale, was
witnessed through a unique project, 'Speaker on Campus'. While the
universities in US provide conducive environment for awareness and
practice of various cultures and traditions, rarely we see events held
specifically by Hindus on the campus. Speaker on Campus was one little
step taken in this direction. The pearls of wisdom from ancient India
were mustered together by renowned speakers and strung together by
'Speaker On Campus' project.
Like Arjuna, the students from
various Midwestern and Southwestern universities felt rejuvenated after
successfully organizing Speaker on Campus events at their campus. While
the words of speakers - Shri N.V. Raghuram, Shri Ravi Iyer, and Shri
Srinivas Tilak added to the knowledge of audience, their enthusiasm,
tireless efforts and engaging schedules motivated the organizers. Shri
Raghuram, co-founder and international coordinator of SVYASA University
in Bangalore India (
www.svyasa.org),
brought with him the vast knowledge of "Science of Yoga". While Shri
Ravi, a long time social reformer and thinker, shared the principles of
"Vedic Mathematics" and sciences in ancient India. Shri Tilak, an
independent research scholar from Montreal, provided deep insight into
understanding 'karma' and the pillars of Hinduism to southwestern
universities. To sum up the quality of their lectures, it is worth
quoting a doctoral student from University Of Minnesota referring to
Raghuram ji's event - "This is one lecture in which I did not even
think of sleeping!". Similarly, Ravi ji who shared platform with
eminent mathematicians like Prof Greg Lupton of Cleveland State
University, witnessed full house for his all lectures in Ohio
Universities. The unique presentation style of Dr Tilak was hailed by
students and academia alike. "It helped me better understand the Hindu
Dharma", was the remark after the lecture in University of Texas Austin
by Girija, a student in UT who comes from Trinidad.
As a part of
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh's birth centenary celebrations of Shri M.S.
Golwalkar (the second chief of sangh), 'Speaker on Campus' project was
an effort led and executed by a team of students from various
universities. Students from these universities came together and felt a
need for bringing more awareness on campus about Hindu way of life.
Their thoughts and concerns culminated in the form of series of
lectures by eminent speakers who have dived deep into their subjects.
The project which started with Michigan State University, eventually
covered 12 midwestern universities within a span of almost 2 weeks, 5th
September to 18th September, 2006. The lectures were attended by over
570 people and received help in organizing by nearly 44 students and
faculty members. Seven states of midwest were covered through Michigan
State University, Purdue University, Illinois Weyslan University,
University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology,
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, University of Minnesota Minneapolis,
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, University
of Nebraska Omaha, University of Nebraska Lincoln, and University of
Iowa. Similarly in southwest, the event touched up to 150 students
through 5 Universities including UT-Austin, Trinity University,
University of North Texas, Oklahoma University-Norman.
The
lectures were tailored for the curious minds and intelligentsia of the
universities. While we have heard a lot about Yoga, we rarely get to
know the logic behind it. In Raghuram ji's own words, "Yoga is like a
big banyan tree, the part dealing with postures and physical attributes
is just one leaf of it". Many in audience who had come to learn some
postures were enthralled by this serendipity. Shri Raghuram presented
the logic of Yoga through his familiar crystal clear explanations and
sharp logical conclusions. No wonder he was seen surrounded by many
doctoral students after his lectures. Similarly, Shri Ravi's
presentation on Vedic Mathematics were instant hit among students
coming from myriad backgrounds. He not only exposed principles of Vedic
Mathematics but also presented them in simple and easy to remember
style. Shri Tilak chose topics which are commonly referred by Hindus as
well as when talking of Hinduism - karma and basis of Hinduism. Yet his
erudite approach to the subjects gave audience a completely new
perspective. To add to this flow of knowledge, a nation-wide travelling
exhibition on "Hindu Dharma" was set up at each university which
mesmerized everyone due to its content as well as presentation.
'Speaker
on Campus' was a first such series of its kind. It was an event of the
students, by the student, but for the whole society. The series brought
people together on campuses to learn, think and implement eternal
principles of Hindu culture like - 'World is one family' and 'Let all
be happy, prosperous and healthy'. The great monk from east, Swami
Vivekananda, once said, "Give me 100 energetic young men and I shall
transform India". Speaker on Campus was just a humble effort to find
men and women who can transform not only their country but the whole
world. What better tribute could have been given to the great spiritual
and social leader, Shri M.S. Golwalkar, who even after 100 years since
his birth still lives in the heart of millions of people.
