Uttar Pradesh, It is the state that i was born in and the one that will host IC 2005, India. The state/ region is the dominant 'Hindi - speaking' region which is often incorrectely referred as the 'heartland' of India. The State has ancient sites of Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Allahabd etc. which are closely related to Hindu Mythology and History. Uttar Pradesh takes pride in referring itself as the 'spiritual state' where thousands of national and international travellers visit to learn yoga, meditation, visit 'dharamshalas' and explore faith and freedom. Read more on U.P as stated by Minni who was in India a few months back: http://minni.nomadlife.org/2004/11/minorities-only.html
However, the reality is stark. U.P. has the largest population of any of the state in India, the illiteracy rates are high, the women are not empowered, corruption is amongst highest, migration from villages to small towns and cities is high & the politics is around trivial matters that arouse sentiment than any development in the state. The level of development of towns is poor, people learn more by seeing soap operas & movies, which have low education value and high 'cheap entertainment' value. Uttar Pradesh, and Aydhya was also the center of rioting and religious division between Hindu's and Muslims. I remember the day the riots started 6th December 1992. Buses from schools were returned and all major cities in India were under Curfew within a day, the stories of horror are vivid amongst most people. See the Ayodhya Dateline: http://www.ganashakti.com/old/1998/981130/feature.htm
What is more appaling and dangerous is the continues demand by VHP (World Hindu Org.) and Bajrang Dal for 'Hindutva'; and Aydhya. http://www.hinduunity.org/bajrangdal.html. This is disturbing for me to see, as being a hindu I do not agree to the approach or manner in which education on 'Hindusim' or religion is imparted. Religion is becoming more impulsive and something to adorn on your forehead, show around, rather than internal.. exploring and faith based. Youth are getting engaged in similar organizations all around the world, and the young minds with hope & aspirations are not engaged in development of the state and nation, but disintegration.
There is a lot of content on the VHP+ allies websites that claims to promote 'Hinduism' but it is done in such a reactionary and absolute manner that it has become a propoganda to arouse sentiment, than educate and enlighthen, possibly that is what their role is. If someone may want to know what the Hindu Fundamentalist perspective is, then read this:
http://p081.ezboard.com/fhinduunityhinduismhottopics.showMessage?topicID=22938.topic
The Identity of being Indian is more important than being Hindu. The country and blended culture of each state is what to a common man is more dear. Muslims speaking marwari, bengali, gujrati, kannadiga; Hindus using more urdu in 'Hindi' than hindi.
The VHP and Bajrang Dal propoganda in no way can make Uttar Pradesh more developed, advanced or cohesive, at the end of the day. Their own understanding of religion and tolerance is shallow, their intentions are hollow and vision questionable (if they have one).
I am writing all this, because this is a tough question to explore, a real tough one for many of us, & I can't stand the plight of U.P.
Vaibhav Khandelwal
