Mr. C.B.Satpathy, a prominent devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, revered and respected by millions of Baba devotees around the world, lovingly addressed to as "Guruji", issued the following statement in wake of the tragedy in United States.
The acts of terrorism in the United States on September 11, 2001 are very unfortunate. It is an attack on all humanity around the world. Civilization has been compromised. The events portray hatred of one community against another indicating a dangerous trend dividing communities and countries.
In a situation like this of shock and terror, the extreme thinking people may attempt to take on the lead role. This is a transition phase of the world. The saner souls of the world now have to come together and lead the transition, migration that is painful, long term, needs love, compassion and also understanding of ground realities.
It has been reported that Hindus and Sikhs due to misidentification have been attacked. Similarly Indians, have been misunderstood as people from Afghanistan or other Arab countries. Hate crimes in USA are on the increase and have also been reported in other parts of the world. If anger has to be ventilated, it is better to direct that anger in a constructive way rather than in a destructive manner.
Whereas the Governments and their intelligence could understand the difference, the average person in USA may not have the knowledge or experience of the co-existence of the diversities in the Middle East and South East Asia.
Indians or people of Indian origin represented in the United States by the various religious, linguistic, cultural, philanthropic, geographic, professional, industry, business or other associations, groups and organizations should come together at this need of the hour to sensibly deliberate on the issue in detail to resolve against human violence currently playing all over the globe in the nature of terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism.
The resolutions such passed need to support and clarify the stand of all Indians in consensus with the decisions of the Government of India proclaiming all out assistance to USA and the rest of the world to combat terrorism. This information should be propagated, by press releases, Internet, E-mails and other resources available, to the Indian community at large and to other groups assisting in various states.
The various groups and organizations should cooperate with the Federal and State agencies involved in the relief work and assist in what ever way they could including material and financial support. The Indian community should also sympathize and help heal the injuries of the tragedy by providing mental support to the needy.
No adverse reactions or negative thoughts need to be entertained against sporadic and limited incidents by people who are yet to understand and differentiate between Indians, various religions and countries.
For the time being marks of identification can be wore by people to protect themselves similar to Hindu ladies wearing a bindi or kumkum on their forehead which will not only differentiate them but also their spouses who are traveling with them.
All Indian organizations should come together and resolve to help, empathize and protect this great land and the entire world at these difficult times and should include additional or modify their resolutions to include the local conditions and should initiate all such actions that will be beneficial to society.
Mr. C.B.Satpathy can be reached at Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Chattarpur, New Delhi, India in the evenings on Thursdays and Saturdays.
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