Anyaasthu Sakala Vidhya Prakata Ganika Eva
Iyam Thu Shambhavi Vidhya Gupta Kulavadhooriva

Though this verse, refers to Sri Vidhya, mainly, it applies to Hinduism also in general: Liberally translated it can be taken to mean all other cults are easily available, this Vidhya is very secretive like a chaste woman. Hindus do not hanker after people from other religions in order to convert them as prostitutes solicit customers. Self proclaimed Hindus of foreign origin, are not accepted as Hindus by orthodox Hindus and there is no matrimonial alliance between the two. Hence there is no need for Hindu Missionary activities like collecting funds, through sale of arms and narcotics to third world countries and pumping those funds to bribe and induce poor people, in order to convert them.

Be a Roman, while in Rome is the brief given to every Hindu, who ventures abroad. By and large, they follow the dictum religiously. While trying to prosper themselves, Hindus have never created any problems to the host country. Hard work, diligence and adherence to the law, rather than a sullen questioning of authority are part of a Hindu mentality. A recent study in Britain, has found out that Indian (hindus) youngsters are the best performers in the job market, ahead of all other groups, including the whites. Because of their high quality, many countries, notably US have opened their doors, to Indian professionals.

A tress sheds its leaves, flowers, fruits and even branches and develops new ones in their place, but its roots remain deeply attached to the earth. So also a Hindu while not compromising from the fundamental doctrines of the Hindu religion, is very very flexible regarding abandoning outside symbols. Hence there is no problem like wearing scarfs, turbans, cross, holding kirpans etc. Hindus in Saudi Arabia are deprived of their sacred thread, the photos of their Gods etc. But they do not make an issue of the same? Is it not an irony that religions which shout from the rooftops against idol worship are so particular about symbols like hair, tee shirts etc. while the so called idol worshippers are flexible regarding their symbols? Who is the real idolators in this circumstance?

Nowhere else in the world, the minorities are cajoled and pampered as in India. A Muslim government servant in India is given special concessions to offer afternoon Namaz. Special subsidy is given to Muslims, who are on pilgrimage to Mecca. Among the government holidays, only 45% pertains to Hindu festivals and the remaining is shared by the minority communities and the government, while the Vatican and the Holy Mecca allow only Christians and Muslims respectively to enter their dominion, there is no such place of pilgrimage in India, earmarked exclusively for Hindus. Books hurting the minority sentiments are immediately banned. It is very difficult to remove a chief minister or a cricket captain who is charged of corruption, if he belongs to a minority community, because politicians are afraid of being called anti-minority (Antulay & Azaruddin). No such favours are available to Hindus nor do they crave for it. Recently, a former Pakistani judge who had come to India has lauded the secular nature of India. He said that in nations like Israel and Pakistan, minorities like Christians and shias are persecuted. Even in European and Islamic nations, the minorities are not as free and vibrant as in India. This should be taken as a tribute to Indians in general and Hindus, in particular.

Religious issues are never mixed up by Hindus. They have a high respect for the law of the land. The recent arrest of Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt is a shining example. Earlier, the Shankaracharya of Puri was also arrested. In both the cases, the law has taken its own course. However, the manner in which the arrests were made leaves much to be desired. If the same treatment would have been given to any mullah or bishop, a havoc would have been created by the minority groups concerned and the politicians seeking their votes. Even issues which have no remote connections with religion, such as article 370, Kashmir issue etc. are treated as religious issues by politicians and Muslims are instigated to fight for these causes as a jehadi. No such compulsions for Hindus. There are no fatwas. Each individual is own guide. Even the so called Hindu parties, like former Jansangh and present BJP would not have prospered, had Muslim league and other religion based parties been banned, immediately after Independence and issues like the Shah Banu case, handled by the government in a more mature manner.

Thus, though Hindus have an inherent disadvantage both in India and abroad, they have overcome it by sheer perseverance and duty consciousness and law abiding nature. No Hindu criminal is defended by other Hindus, in the name of religion.

However, the above qualities of Hindus, are considered as weaknesses by the host nations. Such nations should learn from Pakistan, which paid the penalty because of this notion, by losing three wars against India. As they have no established themselves, in America and European nations, Hindus are now asserting themselves through constitutional means.

Our friendly advise to Hindus everywhere in the world is to be proud of themselves for being the responsible citizens of the world and continue to preserve these qualities without compromising on the basic tenets of Hindu culture.