INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
several countries with a sizeable Hindu population, chief ministers of states, top corporate honchos and religious leaders are scheduled to
attend the second World Hindu Congress or WHC in Chicago in September, organisers of the mega event said today.Billed as the biggest-ever
gathering of the who's who of the Hindu community across the globe, the World Hindu Congress from September 7 to 9 is being held to
commemorate 125 years of Swami Vivekananda's historic Chicago address on September 11, 1893.The chief ministers who have confirmed their
participation at the mega event include Yogi Adityanath from Uttar Pradesh and Devendra Fadnavis from Maharashtra.Tibetan spiritual leader
the Dalai Lama, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and Pranav Pandya from Gayatri Parivar are among the religious leaders who have
consented to attend the event.Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat would also be addressing the mega event in Chicago,
which is expected to be attended by more than 2,000 Hindu delegates from over 50 countries.Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US
Congress, is the chairperson of the Chicago event, which is being organised by World Hindu Foundation headed by former IITian Swami
Vigyananand.With India emerging as a global economic power, top corporate leaders from India, the United States and others parts of the
world are likely to attend the three-day World Hindu Congress
Many of them include those heading Fortune 500 companies.According to organisers, some Bollywood and Hollywood superstars will also be
participating and addressing the mega event.The purpose is to "ignite" the global Hindu community for its political and economic
empowerment, Swami Vigyananand told a Washington audience yesterday on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Washington DC Chapter of
the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF).He said the purpose of the World Hindu Economic Forum is to make Hindus visible and respectable across
"Hindus should be the dominant force in the world economy," Swami Vigyananand said."The day Hindus - who constitute 16 per cent of the world
population -- become 16 per cent of the world economy, people would start listening to them (Hindus)." he said.Noting that some 30 years
ago, China did not have the same importance it has today, Swami Vigyananand said the world is now paying attention to China, because of its
economic power, which results in military power and global power."Our whole purpose is to regain economic strength," he said, as he urged
the entrepreneurs present at the gathering to consider entire world as the market.The inaugural World Hindu Congress held in New Delhi in
November 2014 had seen participation of 1,800 delegates from over 50 countries.Its seven parallel conferences showcase how the values,
creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the global Hindu community find expression in a variety of spheres, including economic, education,
media, organisational, and political, as well as the unique leadership and contributions of Hindu women and youth.Held once every four
years, World Hindu Congress is a global platform for Hindus to connect, share ideas, inspire one another and impact the common good.The
