PRESS RELEASE

WAVES 2006 International Conference

By Subhash Gupta (Tel: 832-567-5251)

(published at www.wavesinternational.net on July 14, 2006) (to download the Word format of this article click here)

July 6, 2006.

Houston - An international panel of erudite Hindu scholars and enlightened masters will be presenting their views on the Vedic message of promoting world peace at an event to be held at the University of Houston's main campus this coming weekend of July 8 - 10. “Vedic Ideas for Global Harmony and Peace”, the sixth Biennial International Conference hosted by the World Association for Vedic Studies (WAVES) for the first time in this city, will offer the wisdom of luminaries in the likes of Dr. David Frawley, Dr. Janak Dave, Professor N. S. Rajaram, Dr. S. Kalyanaraman, Professor Hal W. French and Swami Vidyadhishananda Giri, to name but a few. Panel discussions will range from the role of religion in modern conflicts to issues concerning the environment and developmental projects. Formed in 1996 in the US by scholars aiming to project Vedic principles in its proper context to the world, WAVES will offer for the first discussions between youth and panelists which will give over 150 young people a unique opportunity to talk candidly about their concerns as Hindus. Over 1000 persons are expected to attend the three-day event.

Working behind the scenes is a dedicated team of local volunteers, drawing public awareness to the event and ironing out the myriad logistics of hosting the international event in this city. Led by WAVES Houston Chapter Chairman Subhash Gupta, a man hailed as tireless and hardworking, the team also has the support of Gupta's wife, Sarojini. As the present Vice President of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and a past President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) Texas Chapter, Subhash Gupta is highly regarded as a leader and a visionary. The unique husband-wife team of Subhash ji and Sarojini ji, in turn hasten to credit his able team - Padmakant Khambhati, Arun Prakash, Gitesh Desai, Kusum Vyas -  to name a few, as the backbone of WAVES locally. "This is a community endeavor with everyone pitching in to help. The reward for us is seeing these brilliant scholars under one roof exchanging thoughts and findings. All we're really doing is providing them with a platform. We want people to benefit from their wisdom; we're especially excited about the youth forum," said Subhash Gupta. He also commended organizations such as BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Arya Samaj, Hindu Students Council, Barsana Dham (Austin), Sri Meenakshi Temple, Hindus of Greater Houston, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Sewa International  for lending their practical support to WAVES.¶

The team began preparing for the conference a year ago. Primary were the financial implications, but funding came from private donations in Houston. "The challenges have been many, but one in particular was in tracking down our panel of scholars. They are so much in demand all over the world but they committed to being here to personally present their research," said Sarojini Gupta. "Over the recent years they've gathered valuable findings on the Vedic journey to world peace. It's relevant to the public now more than ever," she added.

The WAVES team anticipates a very successful conference. "Subhashji is a very hands-on person, very gentle and soft-spoken and has the ability to bring people to work together effectively. Under his leadership, this event will be very well-received," said community activist Kusum Vyas.

 The WAVES team anticipates a very successful conference. Prof. Suren Dwivedi, President of WAVES, said, " "The Houston team has done a great job in organizing the International Conference."  Dr. S. Kalyanaraman added, "This is the most successful international conference in the last 12 years of WAVES with over 180 scholarly papers on a wide range of topics being deliberated. This has become possible only because of the spontaneous support extended by the Houston community. Participation of youth in the conference augurs well for making WAVES' initiatives meaningful to present and future generations." Vipul Divecha, a Hindu Students Council member, stated “We are extremely blessed to have this event held in our city because it is the WAVES conference that is going to enable experts in the field to share more accurate information with the public, including students."

A highlight of the inaugural function will be a speech by a young monk Swami Vidyadhishananda Giri, a Cal Tech graduate, flying in from New Delhi. The youth symposia will be held on Saturday to find answers to the questions: (1) How do the Vedas help define my Dharma? (2) How do we understand the true intent of the Vedas while recognizing local practices influence our views?

For more information visit www.wavesinternational.net or contact Subhash Gupta at 832-567-5251