Speaker to solicit support for specialIndo-U.S. partnership; Dutra to
be honored
By Melissa Evans, STAFF WRITER, THE ARGUS
FREMONT -- It takes only a few drops of cold water to temper a boiling
pot.
That's the theory behind a proposed partnership between the United
States and India to build universities that would teach meditation and
peace-building strategies based on ancient practices and modern
science.
The primary backer of the project -- which includes a 40,000-student
university in India and an 8,000-student university in the United
States -- will detail his plan for the first time Friday night at the
third annual Unity Dinner, sponsored by the Fremont-based IndoAmerican
Community Federation.
In his keynote speech, John Hagelin, a Harvard-trained quantum
physicist, will solicit support for his aggressive plan to train
students in the Vedic science of consciousness, a practice used to
relieve stress and promote harmony by Indian practitioners for
thousands of years. The approach "is specifically designed to reduce
not only individual tension, but to have the maximum spillover ef-
fect into one's social environment," said Hagelin, director of the
Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy, a Washington,
D.C.-based think tank.
The idea is that as people become more peaceful as individuals, their
influence is felt by society. Criminals are not as compelled to commit
acts of violence if the larger environment is peaceful, Hagelin said.
"Calm can spread throughout society just as panic can spread
throughout the world," said Hagelin, a 2000 presidential candidate for
the Reform/Natural Law parties who has appeared many times on
syndi-cated programs such as NBC's "Meet the Press."
Organizers of the Unity Din-ner say Hagelin's message fits perfectly
with the purpose of the event, which was held for the first time after
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in an effort to promote harmony and
unity among cultural groups in the Bay Area.
This year's theme is to work toward bringing peace and tranquillity
across the globe, said Jeevan Zutshi, founder of the Indo-American
Community Federation.
Several public officials -- including federal and state
representatives and local council members -- are expected to attend,
along with members of various cultural groups, including Chinese,
Afghan and Indo-American.
In addition to dinner, the event will feature cultural entertainment
and recognition of groups and individuals who have made significant
contributions to the community.
This year, the federation will honor Assemblyman John Dutra,
D-Fremont, as Legislator of the Year. Dutra will step down in January
2005 because of term limits.
"(Dutra) has done an exceptional job serving our community," Zutshi
said.
Staff writer Melissa Evans covers religion and culture for The Argus.
She can be reached at (510) 353-7005 ormevans@angnewspapers.com.
