Title: A Tribute to Hinduism – Thoughts and Wisdom spanning continents and time about India and her culture
Authors: Sushama Londhe
Publisher: Pragun Publication, New Delhi.
Email: pragun@dkpd.com; website: http://www.dkpd.com
ISBN: 978-81-89920-661-1
Price: Rs. 895/-
In the Mahabharata, there is the story of a young and arrogant student called Kaushika who is humbled by a devout housewife. She teaches him that ‘each is great in his own place’ and can attain the highest knowledge by performing one’s duty in life with sincerity and devotion. Sushama Londhe, the author of this book is perhaps a living illustration of this story! Sushama Londhe is introduced to the readers thus: “…After working as an Urban Planner with the State of Connectitut, she decided to devote her time as a mother and a homemaker.” But her knowledge of and devotion to Hindu culture will humble even religious scholars and historians.
The love of our motherland and her culture are deeply rooted in the Indian American community. This samskara often expresses itself through a strong urge to spread this awareness to co-religionists – through books, or websites and in this case, a website which later took the form of a book!
I am one of those netizens who closely followed the transformation of Sushama Londhe’s website (www.atributetohinduism.com now renamed as http://www.hinduwisdom.info) since its inception in 1996. It grew from a beautiful interface into almost an encyclopaedia on Hinduism. It is happy news for all lovers of Hinduism that the contents of this website have now been brought out as a book in a pleasantly readable format.
The book abounds in a wealth of information about philosophers, writers, historians, political thinkers, indologists etc. across continents who were fascinated by India and her profound spiritual culture. There are twelve thematic chapters in the book followed by a thoughtful epilogue. Colourful photographs and illustrations add life to the print which runs into 500 pages, including the references.
I would have loved to say that this book is a must buy for all Hindus but the price made me stop and think again. Perhaps, the Indian edition of the book could have been more reasonably priced, keeping in view the average Hindu who is curious to discover his cultural roots but is cautious when it comes to shelling out!
(This review was originally published in The Vedanta Kesari, January 2009)
The Audacity of Convictions 