Is Hinduism in Singapore Thriving? [Part 8/8]

TLDR: No, but it is our Karma to change that.

Whenever things get difficult at SgHindu, there is one story that constantly inspires us to overcome adversity. It is not from Singapore, India, the last Hindu Nation on Earth (Nepal), or the most Westerly Hindu majority country, Guyana. This story is from Pakistan.

Harji Lal runs the only Hindu newspaper in Pakistan for about three million Hindus. As you will see on his Facebook page, the Sandesh is probably the only place you will see Hindu content in Arabic script. He started it before the internet revolution and spent 10 years understanding how to type-set. Amazingly, he has to carry his entire CPU to the printing station to get the weekly papers published. He works as a boot blacker and 50% of his income goes into sustaining this newspaper since he needs to sell the papers for cheap, given the lack of distribution opportunities (Muslim newstands do not carry the Sandesh), and the destitute condition of Hindus in Pakistan’s Sindh.

We enjoy the fruits of the Karma of our ancestors, but we may overlook the difficulties and personal sacrifice required to uphold Dharma. It is imperative that we continue upholding Dharma for the growth of the Hindu community in Singapore.

“The question thou hast asked me is a difficult one, since it is difficult to say what righteousness is. It is not easy to indicate it. No one in discoursing upon righteousness, can indicate it accurately. Righteousness was declared (by Brahman) for the advancement and growth of all creatures. Therefore, that which leads to advancement and growth is righteousness. Righteousness was declared for restraining creatures from injuring one another. Therefore, that is Righteousness which prevents injury to creatures. Righteousness (Dharma) is so called because it upholds all creatures. In fact, all creatures are upheld by righteousness.”

- Mahabharata, Shantiparava 109- 339.