PRIME minister David Cameron launched the definitive guide to Hinduism as he unveiled the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism, published by the India Heritage Research Foundation, at a ceremony in London on Monday (27).
Accompanied by his wife Samantha Cameron, who was dressed in a sari for the special occasion, Cameron lit a lamp as he launched the book, which took a thousand scholars almost two decades to put together.
“This encyclopedia is a great contribution to humanity,” Cameron said to huge applause from a 1,000-strong audience at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in central London.
The event, organised by the Conservative Friends of India with support from the Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG) – publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat – also marked the festival of lights, Diwali.
His Holiness (HH) Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (HH Pujya Muniji), the founder and chairman of the India Heritage Research Foundation and president of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, north India, said: “In Indian culture we say, ‘Let all the noble thoughts come from all directions.’ We are an inclusive culture.
“In our prayers, we pray ‘Sarve bhavantu sukhinah. Sarve santo niramaya.’ It means, ‘May all be happy, may all be healthy.’ Our scriptures remind us, ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family. We pray not only for all of human life, but also for the animals, the plants and nature. Our culture teaches us – Do not only worship the Creator, but also serve the creation.
“This encyclopedia was created with that in mind – service of creation, service of those who didn’t know or understand or have access to these timeless truths and insights.”
Later, the prime minister said: “I love this saying of ‘Let all the noble thoughts come from all directions.’ I am going to use this. This is beautiful.”
Lord Andrew Feldman, chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “It is an incredible honour for the Conservative Party that His Holiness Swamiji graciously agreed to launch the magnificent Encyclopedia of Hinduism on the occasion of our Diwali party. This work of 1,000 scholars over 25 years is a phenomenal achievement. The party wants to deepen and broaden our links with the British Indian community and with India and this event is one important step on our journey.”
Among those in the audience were home secretary Theresa May, Commons chief whip Michael Gove, Lord Dolar Popat, the prime minister's India diaspora champion Priti Patel, justice minister Shailesh Vara, Paul Uppal MP, co-chairman of the Conservative Friends of India Alok Sharma MP, former attorney general Dominic Grieve, leading industrialists GP Hinduja, Chandroo Kewalramani and Dr Rami Ranger.
With an estimated 7,000 entries, the encyclopedia is a compendium of ancient and modern history, science, art, architecture, polity, religion, philosophy and culture.
It is not limited to Hinduism as a religion, rather it is a compilation of all India’s many faiths, among them Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. It also explores the role of Islam, Christianity and Judaism in the culture, civilization, history and history of India.
*To order copies of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, contact Garavai Gujarat at 1 Silex Street, London SE1 0DW, or call 02076547761.
