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MALAYSIA, June 13, 2004: Initially conceived at the Hindu Renaissance Gathering in September 2003, the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (“source”) officially launched its Hindu Renaissance Action plan in June 2004. Honorable Dato’ Seri Dr. S. Samy Vellu, Minister of Works and Patron of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, inaugurated the project that is supported by 36 Hindu Organizations and Temples in Malaysia. In his opening address, Datuk A. Vaithilingam, President of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam summarizes the purpose of the action plan. Vaithilingam says, “There is a critical need to reawaken the spirit of Sanathana Dharma within the Hindu Community of Malaysia — as a remedy to overcome the many social problems currently affecting the society, especially the Hindu youth in this country.” The Malaysian Sangam has had a good track record in getting things done as a united Hindu community. The previous five year action plan from 1997-2001 set the tone for this current plan as these years supported institutional development within all the member organizations while facing the challenges of global duress in 2001 and an economic slump internally within Malaysia from 1997-1999. As a result, this first action plan, “laid the foundation for all Hindu children, teenagers and adults and community leaders to continue to live in peace and harmony as well as cherish further prosperity in our multi-ethnic and religious environment.” Thus the objectives of the second five year HRAP (2004-2008) are as follows:



To further forge and promote religious and cultural knowledge, thereby fostering confidence and commitment among all Hindus, irrespective of age, locality and economy;



Build and promote pro-active social welfare services and counseling guidelines;



Revive Hindu Culture and draw guidelines to further promote values which solidifies and fosters unity of the society;



Promote a conducive socio economic environment to support the well being of all Hindu Families and Individuals.



Action plan states its principle strategy for achieving the four objectives, which is to revitalize the temple as the nucleus and one stop centers for religious, cultural, welfare and community service promotion, propagation and dissemination. Other strategies, according to the action plan, include forging partnerships with all Hindu organizations to seek support for the temples, modernizing Hindu print and electronic media and generating revenue through fund-raising activities.



The Sangam has identified the following challenges:



Lack of proper religious knowledge and guidance for children and youth.



Lack of stamina to promote social welfare and counseling efforts;



Lack of a coordinated and concerted effort towards the promotion of solidarity, strength and confidence;



Lack of participation by temples, institutions and associations to serve as religious and cultural dissemination centers;



Lack of utilization of Internet Technologies and modern media for communication;



Lack of financial and economic resources.



The Malaysian Sangam has offered to supply leadership to coordinate the action plan.



In conclusion the article says, “The successful implementation of the HRAP is entirely dependent upon the total cooperation and commitment of each and every Hindu Organization, Temple and Association. In the pursuit of preparing a conducive environment for the younger and future generation, all senior members and institutions of the Hindu Community should give high priority to pro-actively sacrifice their time and resources to implement, monitor, evaluate and reap benefits out of this HRAP.”

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