The Parliament of Canada's House of Commons unanimously passed the resolution to declare November as national “Hindu Heritage Month” on September 29, 2022. It is a period for Canadians to learn more about their fellow Hindu citizens and for Hindus to be at their best.
What is multiculturalism in Canada? It is an official framework that recognizes, promotes, and preserves the cultural and racial diversity of its population. In his vision of Canada, John Diefenbaker, specifically contrasted the idea of uniformity with human dignity and freedom: "A society which emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate.” In other words, it is what can be simply explained as “have many paths and yet be one society. Or “Many Paths – One Society”
And therefore celebrating the Culture of Canadian Hindus not only sits well with this policy, it strengthens its resolve in words and spirit. When we are familiar with various elements within our polity it certainly helps the country, especially more so with the familiarity with Hinduism. It is because, if we consider multiculturalism as the USP of our country, Hinduism gives us some practical lessons in living by it. Hindus have remained continuously relevant for the last 5,000 years living in the midst of many different cultures-living side by side with them-during that long period till present time. Thus making them a living testimony of successful multiculturalism. Globally there are 1.2 Billion Hindus today (15% of global population) and of them, Canada is home to 835,000 Hindus (2.3% of national population). Relatively it is a tiny minority in Canada but plays an important part in IT, health and higher education sectors.
Wherever Hindus have settled, be it Canada, USA, UK, Suriname, Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Far East Asia, Arab Gulf countries etc, they have lived peacefully, contributing significantly to the national wealth. They run charities, free community kitchens and try to be actively helpful in every walk of public life. It is virtually impossible to find a Hindu who is rioting, damaging public property or making divisive demands. Despite having faced discrimination and injustice from others from time to time, it is remarkable that Hindus have never ever claimed victimhood to garner public sympathy or extract any special advantages ever. They have among the lowest incarceration rates for violent crimes. This pattern is the same everywhere.
Historically, Hindus have gone out of their way to help the needy when others, perhaps more capable, were reluctant. Famously, India gave Covid vaccines to more than hundred countries when, fearing shortages, no other country was ready to share their vaccine stockpile. During WWII, when no one accepted Polish children, fearing reprisals or economic burden, two Hindu Maharajas of India provided refuge and loving care to about 1,000 children. The Maharajas had defied the British rulers’ wishes and faced their ire in the process. Thousands of years ago, when Jews had faced existential problems in their home countries, Hindus gave them safe refuge. It was formally acknowledged in a 1950 Knesset proceeding surrounding the “Law of Return”, where they referred to Indian Jews as a rare diaspora community that migrated to Israel out of choice and heritage rather than fleeing anti-Semitic persecution. They not only never faced any hate or discrimination, they prospered and reached great heights in India. Notably among the Indian Jews, the Sassoon family, often referred to as the "Rothschilds of the East," had built a global mercantile empire centered in India. Other prominent Indian Jews include Ezra and Cohen families of Kolkata. Similarly, about a thousand years ago when Zoroastrians were invaded and forced to give up their faith, Hindu King Jadi Rana provided them safe refuge. Today hundreds of Zoroastrian business men like Tatas, Godrej, Wadia etc are running huge business empires in India. Hundreds of years ago, the Hindu Kings gave land as a gift for building mosques to visiting Muslim sailors and for churches to Christian sailors when they came to the shores of India.
What has sustained Hinduism across multiple millennia in the midst of vastly different other cultures of the world? It is their boldness to accept every culture as their own. It is the core philosophy that views all existence as inherently divine. Everything that exists in and on this world has divinity within. That renders every living and non-living existing around us as sacred and divine, inviolable and to be cared for like what a friend does. A hindu is simply a friend hiding in plain sight. Hindus have a name for it, “Vishwa Bandhu” (Friend of the world).
For serious students, Hinduism is a treasure trove of knowledge, philosophical ideas and disciplines like Yoga, meditation, Tantra etc and for the casual observer it is festivals that provide a vibrant glimpse into Hindu culture.
The most widely celebrated and important festival of Diwali falls on 6th of November. It is also known as the “festival of light”. The day marks victory of light (good) over darkness (evil). It is a multi-day festival beginning 3-days before the Diwali day and goes on for 2 days thereafter with each day having its own significance. Apart from Diwali, Hindus celebrate popular festivals like Holi, Nava-Ratri, Ganesh-Chaturthi, Shiv-Ratri, Janmashtami, Ram-Navami, Dussehra, Rakhi etc where the whole community is drawn together in the festivities.
Canadians can go meet their Hindu friends, visit any nearby Hindu temples to witness the celebrations, enjoy free wholesome meals and get to know them. Visitors would enjoy the decorations, sacred images of gods and traditional foods with complete peace of mind as Hinduism is a non-proselytising faith, not in the business of harvesting souls, not seeking to convert. Hinduism welcomes visitors warmly and without any expectation, have absolutely no apprehension.
Go for it. Let's get to know each other!
