Best wishes,
Maneesha, London.

Just to acknowledge that Dilipji is working very hard to present a comprehensive image of Hinduism in UK and beyond. Hindu community is very proud of him. He is a great example and inspiration to all of us and our children. It is good to see that his endevours in removing mis-conceptions about Hinduism that exist both within the Hindu community and outside it are bearing fruit. His appointment to Eton is a great testament to the recognition that Hinduism is starting to receive in British Society as a result of Dilipji’s endeavours and shear hard work.

Students at Eton are indeed priviledged to have the opportunity to learn Hinduism from someone of Dilipji’s caliber and passion for this subject. It should be pointed out that same privillege is also available to many Hindu parents and children to learn Hinduism at many of the UK temples where Dilipji has been the inspiration in starting the GCSE and GCE A level classes in Hinduism. Let us hope that more temples will follow this lead by making the opportunity available to more parents and children by starting more classes next year. May be parents should become more pro-active in raising the need for Hinduism Classes both with their temple authorities and with their school heads. After all Hinduism should not be for the priviledged few at Eaton.

He is a big character in the Hindu community, so he may have his own views of certain things which I found was different to many Hindus.

However, much credit must given to him for the gcse courses in Hinduism, which has been my first step to looking at Hinduism academically.
I wouldn’t even be here looking at this Hindu Voice website if it wasn’t for inspirational folks like him that had set up schemes that I could embarks on, like many other Hindus in my childhood.

As for the Complete Works, I was not trying to cast any doubt on the academic honesty and ability of Elst or Swarup, both of whom I admire greatly. However, having not read their reports myself, I was hoping you could perhaps share some of your knowledge on the topic that you have gained from your readings of both their work and that of Ramakrishna Mission.

I’m certain that it’s true that the Ramakrishna Mission have altered the Complete Works of Vivekananda. I know its good to have your own proof, but personally I have faith in the intellectual rigour and honesty of both Koenraad and Ram Swarup. I don’t know whether the Ramakrishna Mission have ever had an official position on this, however it would not suprise me considering they once launched a court case trying to classify themselves as a non-Hindu sect.

Keshav:

I was looking through some of my old Voice of India books to try and pin point the examples I was given - but I couldn’t find them in the time contraints I had. I’ll give it another shot some time. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a link.

My experience with Hindu youngsters is that in this day and age of 21st cent. what they simply want to know is what is Hinduism and what would they need to believe in to call themselves Hindus and remain Hindus.

Think this should be the first task for Mr Lakhani.

Satya, I find it hard to put Ramesh Kallidai and Dilip Lakhani into the same category when it comes to positive Hindu representatives. You also said “but he manages to ignore Vivekananda’s repeated messages of universalism, plurality, diversity and acceptance. ” … if you go to his talks then that’s pretty much what he goes on about.

Bharat
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