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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, October 3, 2004: Community leaders are fighting to revive Hindu custom and tradition to preserve a culture they fear is dying among the youth. Their efforts come as the younger generation begins to question the relevance and meaning of Hindu rituals. The decline in Hindu culture is blamed on the rising influence of Western culture, apartheid’s education legacy–which neglected Hindu teachings–and a more skeptical youth, says this article. “Owing to apartheid, children were subjected to Christian national education and, as a result, children and many adults became ashamed of their cultural roots and religious heritage,” said Ram Maharaj, president of the Hindu Dharma Sabha of South Africa. “Given the impact of Eurocentric education and the imposition of Western values, a large number of the youth and adults started aping Western culture and discarded their rich Eastern values.” Durban architect Prinola Pillay, 25, said: “We just follow our parents and do as we are told. But I don’t think our parents fully understand why a certain ritual is done or why a period is considered auspicious.” She said children were more fluent at reciting Bible stories than Hindu tales. “Since the advent of democracy, children have been taught to read and write in Tamil, Hindi and Gujarati, but they are not taught about their culture, and that’s where the problem lies.” Gurukal Muthuiyer Radhakrishna of the Umgeni Road Temple said religious leaders and clergy had to simplify Hinduism for younger people. “They need to uncomplicate it and make the youth understand that there is much to gain through religion. They also need to be involved in the prayers, and that way you attract more of the youth. The younger generation are showing an interest. They just need the guidance,” he said.

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