Source

NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 29, 2004: Some 180 young Hindus from around the world will meet in the Indonesian resort of Bali in November to set up a global secretariat that will seek to spread the virtues of the Hindu religion. The organizers include two young Balinese Hindus who are now here meeting community leaders in India to canvass support for the conference that will lead to a World Hindu Youth Organisation (WHYO). “Our aim is to meet our Hindu brothers and sisters from around the world, network and see what we can learn from them,” said A. A. Arya Wedakarna, 24, a PhD student of Balinese origin who lives in Jakarta. While Wedakarna is on his third visit to India, his compatriot and fellow student, Ayu Aryani, is visiting the country for the first time.



Hindus officially make up 11 percent of Indonesia’s 250 million people but they are in an overwhelming majority in Bali, Hinduism’s best-known outpost in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is home to some 1,000 ancient Hindu temples. In Bali itself, there are a dozen major temples and thousands more in varying sizes. “Everyone in Bali, the young included, believe and follow (Hindu) rituals. But most don’t understand them,” said Arya Wedakarna. “There is growing (Hindu) consciousness in Bali,” he added. “We are keen to set up a global Hindu organization to spread Hinduism in the country and elsewhere. We need to introspect, we need to learn (about Hinduism), and we need exposure.”



The organizing committee of the Nov 26-30 World Hindu Youth Summit includes leading Indonesia Hindu institutes such as Independent Youth Hindu Intellectual Forum, Hindu Indonesia University, Ashram Gandhi Puri and Indonesia Hindu Youth Association. Delegates, who will come from such countries as India, Nepal, the US, Britain, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, will discuss the diversity of Hindu cultures and their uniqueness as well as their originality.



HPI Requests: If you can put us in touch with the organizers of this event, kindly e-mail ar@hindu.org.

Post Views: 587