Brahmin meet seeks merit-based aid

The Brahman Convention 2007, organised by the World Brahman Federation, in Secaucus, New Jersey, called for a merit-based society in India, and sought that poorer people be given financial support based on defined criteria.

'In today's globalised world, merit alone, without any caste consideration, can help Indians compete throughout the world,' convention delegates pointed out it in a resolution.

The convention, in another resolution, asked the Indian government not to stop people from contesting elections from anywhere in India because some constituencies are reserved for special interest groups. If they were to be reserved for some reason, they should be rotated so as to permit the general public to contest elections, too, it said.

'In any democracy around the world, those with a right to vote also have a right to contest elections,' the resolution said.

The three-day convention adopted several other resolutions following discussions at many sessions on the challenges that the community is facing all over the world, including in India.

A core group of prominent Brahman leaders in India has been formed under the leadership of Pandit Mange Ram Sharma, president WBF India, to initiate talks with the Indian government to implement the demands of the Brahman community.

Delegates from several countries, including a large contingent from India, attended the convention, held at the Crowne Plaza.

The Indian delegation, led by Pandit Sharma, included Ganga Sahay Pathak, senior vice president, WBF India, Dr Shankar Bhardwaj, a member of a state legislative assembly, Dr Asha Sharma and Dharni Dhar Trivedi.

Dr Girija Vyas, chairperson, India's National Women's Commission, delivered the keynote address in which she emphasized the need for Brahmans to become agents of change. She also emphasised the need to protection of women from fraudulent marriages with NRIs.

Nirmal Choubey, WBF president, announced the formation of a committee headed by Ranjana Pathak, vice president, Endo Pharmaceutical, to look into women's issues. A plenary session was held on the subject. Ashok Trivedi, CEO, iGate Corporation, spoke of how a knowledge-based economy benefits the world.

Upendra Chivukula, deputy chairman of the New Jersey state assembly who was the distinguished speaker on the occasion, spoke about the need to preserve Indian heritage, and called upon governments to support such efforts within a secular framework. The delegates lauded him for his efforts to introduce Hindu prayers in the New Jersey state legislature.

Sanjay Tripathi, convention director, welcomed the delegates and presented the holy scarf to the chants of 'Bhagwan Parshu Ram.'

Kathak dancer Purnima Jha performed on the occasion.