‘HCA has been meticulously sharing the cultural, social and spiritual values between India and Australia’: says HCA National President Prakash Mehta

As Hindu Council of Australia completes 20 years Prakash Mehta, National President, Hindu Council Of Australia talked to Indus Age in an exclusive interview. Excerpts:

By Nidhi Kumari

As Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) completes 20 years how would you explain the journey of HCA over the years?

It has been a very satisfying journey. The journey that started with the celebration of Deepavali in Sydney in 1999 has now spread to entire Australia; NSW parliament in 2003 and then extending to several other states and Federal Parliament are some of the major contributions of HCA. These celebrations helped us pick up all the major Hindu organisations in Australia as co-passengers in our journey. We started light but now we have a very pleasant responsibility of over hundred thousand who have joined this journey

What has been the major contribution of HCA?

Before HCA, there was no united voice of Hindus in Australia at any level- Local, State and Federal. Ever since HCA was established in 1998, it has truly been a representative of all Hindus in Australia.Government’s at all three levels now regularly consult HCA for its input in almost all major issues in Australian community, e.g., interfaith dialogue, multicultural matters, security issues, vegetarianism, Religious response on climate change, Senate inquiry in same sex marriage, Cemeteries and Crematoria regulation etc.

HCA provides support to member Hindu organisation for issues related to priest visa or land acquisition for temple etc.

Enlighten us about the major activities carried out by HCA over the years?

• Deepavali is of course our flagship festival; it has not only been growing each year in attracting large number of people (last year more than 30000 people were there in Parramatta Park) and programs,but also it is now celebrated at 4-5 venues in Sydney as well as in Federal Parliament and in Adelaide under HCA’s umbrella.Since last year this major event is held on two days- Saturday and Sunday.

• HCA has represented Hindu community in many interfaith and / or multicultural conferences, seminars and other events not only in NSW but also in ACT, Victoria and South Australia.

• HCA is member of Australian Religious Response for climate change.

• HCA has been proactive in supporting religious / cultural events organised by our member organisations.

• HCA has been proactive in many social issues such as environmental issues, organ and tissue donation campaign, International day of peace, International Day of Yoga

• HCA has been an active member of NSW Dept of Education’s committee on Religious education, Police Commissioner’s committee on community safety and State Chaplaincy services

• On several occasions HCA has taken steps to counter the anti-Hindu image by media and / or the business community

Tell us about the recent initiatives taken care by HCA benefitting the community at large.

• Karma Kitchen; providing free meals to people on each Saturday in Parramatta Park
• Hindu Benevolent Fund for needy people of our society
• Organising Chaplaincy course to volunteers so that they may serve our community by providing Hindu chaplaincy services in hospitals,schools, and higher institutions
• Gargi Award for outstanding woman who can be role model for Hindu girls
• A ten-week twenty-hour capsule course on Hindu Philosophy

How has HCA been proactive in keeping the Indian culture alive?

• Through cultural events- such as Deepavali, Holi, Janmashtmi
• Supporting member organisations in their religious education, languages etc
• By inviting Indian artists
• Arranging exhibition on Hindu culture
• Celebrating International Yoga day
• Workshop for Vedic mathematics.
• By taking all possible efforts so that Indian culture is not miss represented in Australian community

How has HCA beneficial in fostering Indo-Aussie relations?

HCA has been meticulously serving the Indian community and Australian society by way of sharing the cultural, social and spiritual values. The celebrations of various festivals has been creating cultural awareness, promoting each other values, enriching and bonding Indo-Aussie relations.

HCA has very good relations with other Indian cultural and religious organisations, other faith traditions and government agencies.

The HCA has been fortunate in having Dr Bala a well-known and reputed Medical practitioner as the first President who served for 10 years.  Prof Nihal Agar continuously served the organisation as President for 9 years. The contribution of both these past Presidents to wider community, has been recognised by Australian Government by awarding OAM and AM respectively to Dr Bala and Prog Agar.  HCA Vice President Kanti Jinna and NSW chapter President, Mr Jay Raman are a recipient of OAM.

How can someone interested in being associated with HCA be a part of it?

Any person interested in serving Australian community in general and Hindus in particular is welcome to join HCAwho can work with sincerity as well as honesty to HCA objectives and participate in the activities of the association. We do have National executive and state level chapters in each mainland state to promote HCA objectives.

What are the future plans for HCA?

HCA’s future focus is on following activities.

• Working closely and putting extra effort with media, government agencies and multi-faith community for raising awareness about Hindu values and icons to proactively manage to avoid usage of offensive and improper use of Hindu images and discrimination
• Focus on Hindu chaplaincy in hospitals, universities and other public institutions
• Education related to Hindu scriptures and values.
• Women programs and engagement
• Youth programs in partnership with member association and in interfaith space
• Community service and support with Hindu benevolent fund plus community outreach along with member organisation
• Celebration of major festivals with view to raising awareness about Hindu culture
• Improve two way communication and close working relationship with member organisation and general Hindu diaspora from all parts of the world settled here in Australia
• Establishment of Hindu Museum to present history of Hindus in Australia and display important practices, art and cultural aspects of Hindus for Australian public, as well as people of Hindu origin.

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