THE BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, US, was inaugurated on Saturday (18) in Robbinsville, New Jersey, at the site of Swaminarayan Akshardham – North America. Besides Mahamahopadhyaya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, a renowned scholar of Hindu Philosophy and Sanskrit, more than 115 representatives from 50 Hindu temples and organisations, devotees and swamis and scholars from India and the US were present on the occasion.
Plans for the research institute in Robbinsville gained momentum after members of the local community showed growing interest in learning Sanskrit and gaining a deeper understanding of Hindu scriptures. The institute will strive to foster social harmony, interfaith dialogue, public engagement, and academic discourse through a rigorous teaching of Sanskrit, Vedic and classical literature and Hindu values, beliefs and practice. It is also expected to generate opportunities for value-based education, innovative research and creative expression.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, inaugurates the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute via live webcast from India by lighting the inaugural lamp (deep-pragatya) symbolising the spreading of the light of knowledge throughout the world. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
On Saturday morning, hundreds of swamis and devotees gathered at the site to take part in a ‘Satsang Dikshā Homātmak Pāth.’ They made offerings to a sacred fire at a unique yajna while recitation of selected verses from the Satsang Dikshawere took place.
The yajna was performed to pray for world peace and an auspicious beginning for the research institute.
Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami (centre) inaugurates the B.A.P.S Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
Children also sang Vedic peace prayers and recited Sanskrit verses.
Besides those who were present physically to witness the event, thousands saw it via a live telecast across North America and around the world.
Children sing Vedic peace prayers and recited Sanskrit verses during the inauguration of BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj joined the ceremony virtually from Ahmedabad, India, and inaugurated the institute with the lighting of the inaugural lamp (deep pragatya) symbolising the spreading of the light of knowledge throughout the world.
Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the attendees and those who remotely joined the event's live broadcasting.
Addressing the assembly, he said, “Yogiji Maharaj had envisioned such an institute and was passionate about youths learning and discoursing in Sanskrit. The research institute has fulfilled this vision. May students excel in their studies and work together to serve society, expanding the circle of unity across the world. In the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, meaning the world is one family, let’s reach out to extend the circle of global harmony.”
Pujya Swamis participate in the Satsang Diksha Homatmak Path during the inauguration of BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
HH Swami Maharaj sent Mahamahopadhyaya Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami from India to preside over the inauguration event. Pujya Bhadreshdas Swamiis, who has authored Sanskrit commentarial and philosophical texts -- the Swaminarayan-Bhashyam and the Swaminarayan-Siddhanta-Sudha – respectively, delivered the inaugural speech of the institute and conveyed HH Mahant Swami Maharaj’s messages of global harmony, public service and educational excellence.
Over 115 representatives from 50 Hindu Mandirs and organizations, guests and scholars were present during the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in Robbinsville, New Jersey, US. (Picture: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha)
Elaborating on Mahant Swami Maharaj’s vision, he encouraged children and youth to explore their interests in the areas of arts and Hindu philosophy.
The ‘BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute’ is the first such centre of learning and research of Indian languages and Hindu scriptures in the Swaminarayan tradition to open in the US.
AN ASIAN writer has explained how his new book makes Britain’s imperial past “accessible, engaging and thought-provoking” for a younger audience.
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera’s new book, Journeys of Empire, explores empire through 10 journeys he described as being “extraordinary”. Sanghera said his book, published last month by Puffin UK, is “a way of helping children understand how Britain’s biggest story still shapes the world today.”
“We’re not taught this history very well,” he told Eastern Eye.
“The empire is morally complex – sometimes we were good, sometimes bad – so, how do you even begin talking about it? It’s also contentious. There are millions of us whose families were colonised, and millions whose families were the colonisers.”
Teachers cannot teach what they themselves were never taught, Sanghera pointed out.
“There are multiple layers to why British people are so bad at talking about this history. It touches on race, misogyny and geopolitics. It’s easier just not to talk about it.”
And , the cover of his book
Following the success of his bestselling children’s title Stolen History, Sanghera’s this latest work continues Sanghera’s mission to write for readers aged nine and above. With a focus on human experiences, Sanghera said he wanted show that history is not just a list of dates or conquests – it’s a tapestry of stories that connect people.
Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi immigrant parents, he began school unable to speak English. Later he graduated with first-class honours in English language and literature from Christ’s College, Cambridge.
He has since built a career as a writer and journalist.
His memoir, The Boy with the Topknot, and his novel, Marriage Material, were both shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. Empireland, Sanghera’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy, was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non- Fiction, named a Book of the Year at the 2022 National Book Awards, and inspired the Channel 4 documentary series Empire State of Mind.
His first children’s book, Stolen History, introduced young readers to the complex and often overlooked realities of empire. With Journeys of Empire, Sanghera aims to go further. “When I finally learned about the British empire, it changed how I saw myself, how I saw Britain, and how I saw India,” he said.
“It seemed obvious that you’d want to give this gift to young people – because your 40s is a bit late to be learning all this.”
Sanghera said the 10 journeys in the book take readers across continents and centuries, revealing both the ambition and the brutality of empire.
“The British empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and a large portion of its population. It was seven times the size of the Roman empire,” he said.
Aiming to ensure diversity in both perspective and geography, Sanghera said he chose stories from various countries and different phases of the 400-year history.
Alongside India and Mahatma Gandhi, readers will learn about Guyana’s indentured labour system, Gertrude Bell’s adventures in Iraq, and the British invasion of Tibet led by Francis Younghusband.
“I wanted to highlight areas often left out of mainstream narratives,” the writer said. The stories are written with an accessible and honest tone, and with humour.
“Violence is a tricky area,” Sanghera said. “You can’t go into graphic detail, but you also shouldn’t whitewash it. The violence and racism of colonialism were intrinsic. “I tried to strike a balance - acknowledging the brutality without overwhelming young readers.”
Writing for children isn’t much different from writing for adults, Sanghera said.
“You still need engaging stories and to hold attention. The main thing is to avoid big words that might put them off.”
He pointed out how storytelling can counter the allure of digital screens.
“Kids are addicted to screens, and reading rates are falling globally. That’s disastrous for mental health, intellectual development, and politics,” he said.
“When you get news from screens, you’re in an echo chamber – you’re not being challenged or taught to think in a nuanced way.”
Sanghera’s hope is that stories of Journeys of Empire – from pirates to princes and explorers to rebels – will draw in young readers to a world of curiosity and reflection. He said, “The British empire is a complex story. Even the ‘good guys’ had flaws. That’s what makes it worth understanding.”
At the heart of his book is a message about complexity and contradiction. “The empire involved slavery and the abolition of slavery. It caused environmental destruction and inspired environmentalism. We live in a world that struggles with nuance, but that’s what makes us human,” Sanghera said.
“My hope is that readers – kids and adults – learn that opposite things can be true at the same time.”
After six years of writing about empire, Sanghera said he’s ready for a change. His next book will focus on the late pop star George Michael, due out in June next year.
“I thought George Michael would be a nice break from empire. But then I learned that his father came from Cyprus - which was under British rule. The reason he left Cyprus was because of the British. So, even George Michael’s story connects back to empire. You can’t escape it, wherever you go.”
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