The denouement of the World Hindu Congress 2023 unfolded amidst the grandeur of Bangkok. Over the span of two and a half days, an august assembly of more than 2,000 delegates hailing from 61 nations participated in 47 meticulously curated sessions. The symposium, marked by erudite deliberations and momentous declarations, successfully ended, resolutely affirming an unwavering dedication to the tenets of Hindu Dharma.

Esteemed luminaries, including Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, the venerable head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS); Dattatreya Hosabale, the erudite general secretary of the RSS; Madhu Pandit Dasa, the distinguished chairman of Akshaya Patra, along with other notable figures, graced the event with their presence. The inaugural day witnessed the unveiling of a profound WHC Declaration, vehemently condemning egregious assaults on Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma. Notably, this declaration eschewed the term “Hinduism,” a nomenclature coined by a British Christian to denigrate Hindu Dharma as an “ism,” emblematic of an oppressive doctrinal system.

In a written communication to the Congress, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand underscored the imperativeness of instating global peace through the values inherent in Hindu life. Noteworthy among the luminaries addressing the congregation was the Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritānandamayī Devi, who accentuated the pivotal role of Dharma in fostering well-being and prosperity for humanity. She ardently advocated for a minimum allocation of two percent from donations received by temples and religious institutions for the publication and gratuitous dissemination of Hindu Dharma Granths (spiritual texts).

At the World Hindu Congress 2023, a remarkable magnitude and pace set the stage for seven concurrent sessions covering Political, Women, Youth, Economic, Education, HOTA, and Media, amounting to 47 captivating sessions. These events drew participation from more than 2000 attendees spanning 61 countries, marking an unprecedented gathering in scale and speed. The distinguished roster of speakers at WHC2023, including luminaries such as Anand Narasimhan, Swati Goel Sharma, Anilesh Mahajan, Uday Mahurkar, Abhijit Majumder, Ishkaran Bhandari, Anuj Bharadwaj, Nupur J Sharma, M Vinodh Kumar, Rahul Roushan, Praveen Chaturvedi, Abhijit Chavda, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, Abhishek Agarwal, Ami Ganatra, Akshat Gupta, Vishnu Shankar Jain, Ashwini Upadhyay, Ashish Chauhan, T.V. Mohandas Pai, Swami Govind Dev Giri, Dr. Vikram Sampath, Dr. Koenraad Elst, Prof. Salvatore Babones, Dr Anand Ranganathan, Anand Singh, Arjun Bharadwaj, Nalini Asthana, Priyanka Deo, Kshitiz Rai, Monika Arora, Shriraj Nair, Sridhar Vembu, amongst other prominent speakers, cast a spellbinding aura that enraptured the audience at WHC2023. Their insightful and impassioned addresses added a layer of intellectual richness, further elevating the discourse and contributing to the profound impact of the congress.

Hindu Political Conference

Esteemed speakers delved into the complexities of Hindu political identity globally. Salvatore Babones, an eminent Australian sociologist, scrutinized stereotypes, and caste weaponization in America. Himanshu Gulati, MP for Akershus, Norway, addressed the political impact of Hindu stereotypes, while Rahul Kumar, MP of Frankfurt A.M., Germany, explored strategies against vilification. Various sessions explored topics like global positioning of Hindus, coping with adverse political climates, maximizing political impact, and nurturing long-term aspirations.

Hindu Women Conference

The World Hindu Congress 2023 delved into crucial aspects of the Hindu women’s narrative across diverse sessions. Session 1, led by Indira Tiwari, highlighted the need to empower Hindu women scholars in academia. Session 2 focused on women’s roles in economic development, financial literacy, and the launch of the Hindu Women Entrepreneurial Network (HWEN). Session 3 explored political empowerment and reservation for Hindu women. Session 4 scrutinized media’s impact on women’s perceptions and leadership roles. Session 5 covered human rights law, Hindu violations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, and the impact of grooming and conversion, providing a comprehensive exploration of global Hindu women’s issues.

Hindu Youth Conference

Explored various aspects of Hindu identity, activism, and leadership. Topics included restoring a confident Hindu identity in the mainstream, navigating academic challenges, responding to anti-Hindu issues on campuses, mastering media influence, and fostering economic leadership.

Hindu Educational Conference

The World Hindu Congress 2023 unfolded a diverse intellectual discourse. In Session 1, speakers like Dr. Dripto Bakshi, Dr. Nalini Asthana, Arjun Bharadwaj, and Sunil Sunkara explored the intersections of Hindu Art, politics, and ideology. Sessions 2 to 6 covered topics ranging from quality education to global portrayals of Hindu Dharma. Renowned figures like Prof. Anurag Mairal, Prof. Yogesh Singh, Swami Mitrananda, Prof. Salvatore Babones, and Shri Muneet Dhiman contributed profound insights. The congress provided a holistic platform for understanding Hindu heritage and contemporary challenges through engaging discussions and diverse perspectives.

World Hindu Economic Forum

The World Hindu Congress 2023 orchestrated a symphony of insights in agriculture and manufacturing across Sessions 1 and 2. In Session 1, Shri Narendra Murkumbi shared strategies for agricultural productivity, joined by experts exploring agricultural technologies and international trade. Dr. Vishal G. Warke discussed agricultural innovation, and the Chairman of Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd. delved into supply chain innovation. Session 2 explored ASEAN-Bharat manufacturing collaboration. Sessions 3 to 5 covered funding strategies, Med Tech advancements, and futuristic startups with speakers like Shri Ashish Chauhan and Shri T.V. Mohandas Pai.

HOTA Conference

The World Hindu Congress 2023 featured enlightening sessions across diverse themes. In Session 1, luminaries explored liberating Hindu Temples and Lands, addressing government and church control. Session 2 delved into upholding Hindu values with speakers like Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa and Dr. Yogendra Giri. Session 3 focused on extending the reach of Hindu organizations, featuring Shri Saumitra Gokhale and Bhakti Vijnana Goswami. Session 4 addressed global human rights violations against Hindus, featuring Shri Sradhanand Sital and Adv. Shashwat Parihar. Session 5 covered legal activism, tracing the disappearance of Hindu Murtis, and asserting Dharma’s authority. Session 6 spotlighted collaborative efforts of Language-Based Hindu Organizations, providing diverse perspectives from various speakers.

Hindu Media Conference

In the media-centric sessions of the World Hindu Congress 2023, Session 1 featured discussions on the role of news media in upholding Dharma, combating fake narratives, and shaping the Hindu worldview. Session 2 delved into Policy, Regulation, and Technology with a focus on media, while Session 3 explored Digital Media’s impact on leveling the playing field, the new frontier of YouTube & Mobile Journalism, and challenges in reporting Hindu persecution. Session 4 discussed Building an Alternative Narrative, empowering the Hindu Resurgence through videos, rediscovering the Hindu Grand Narrative, and championing diverse stories in TV & films. Session 5 showcased strategies for engaging with entertainment media to promote Hindu values, the role of media in society, and the Return of Bharatiyata & Dharmic sensibilities in films. Finally, Session 6 featured discussions on taking Hindu Dharma to a global audience, rediscovering Itihasa and self, and the influence of Popular fiction rooted in Hindu ethos in modern storytelling.

New Zealand Representation

Hindu organisations hailing from New Zealand not only participated but also assumed pivotal leadership roles at the World Hindu Congress, showcasing their active engagement and significant contributions to the event. Their representation underscored the global and inclusive nature of the Congress, with the New Zealand contingent demonstrating effective leadership and participation in discussions and initiatives throughout the event. This active involvement not only highlighted the diverse representation within the Hindu community but also showcased the collaborative spirit and impactful contributions of Hindu organisations from New Zealand on the global stage.

Concluding the event on a forward-looking note, the World Hindu Economic Forum disclosed its plans for the 2024 convening in Mumbai, scheduled from December 13 to 15. This annual conclave is purposefully designed to catalyse economic collaboration and growth within the global Hindu community. Additionally, anticipations were unveiled for the forthcoming World Hindu Congress in 2026, slated to transpire from December 18 to 20 at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai. At the ongoing #whc2023, Shri Swadesh Khetawat, Secretary of the Organising Committee, World Hindu Congress, revealed that the subsequent World Hindu Congress is poised to unfold between the 18th and 20th of December in 2026 in Mumbai. #WorldHinduCongress