New Hindu online publication launched

IN AN ATTEMPT to encourage Hindus, and specifically the youth, to connect with one another, a Johannesburg resident recently launched the Broader Hindu Community Business Network online magazine.

Lenasia resident, Preyalan Pillay, 31, believes Hindus should not segregate themselves and should start connecting and fast.

“We need more Hindu activities for the youth, more social clubs, more temple initiatives and we need to work together to promote and encourage this,” said Naidoo.

He added that Hinduism was one of the oldest religions yet many people failed to practise it.

“So many of us are not practising our religion the way we should. Some of us fail to visit a temple or fast completely for a day. We need to change. We need to start practising our faith stronger. We need to be proud and start powering our faith,” he said.

The Broader Hindu Community Business Network online magazine, which launched recently, is free to the public.

According to Pillay, the idea stemmed from social media groups (WhatsApp and Facebook), where people published funeral notices to notify family members from other provinces.

“My close friend, Deshania Naidoo, and I decided to make the groups more than something for announcements.

“We saw potential and embarked on creating the magazine,” he said.

The duo focus on the historical aspects of the religion and to date, said Pillay, got an opportunity to learn about temples they never knew existed.

Their magazine, which is managed by Pillay, also focuses on Hindu-owned businesses and has celebrity interviews with, among others, television presenter Shirdika Pillai of Sunday Sadhana and chef Videhi Sivurusan.

It also features historical places such as the 1860s Indentured Indian Museum at Hotel Savera in Kharwastan, Chatsworth.

“The aim is to show the power and strength of us all and how we can contribute to the South African economy.”

According to Pillay, the online magazine has been received well among his peers, who appreciate his initiative of keeping the religion alive.

“So far, I have had an overwhelming response from people thanking us for promoting Hinduism.”

Anyone who wishes to have a copy, can e-mail Pillay at funeralsociety@gmail.com or SMS 072 3888 971.

It is also available online at https:// view.joomag.com/broader-hinducommunityM0378165001494859013