In the last few years, dramatic changes have taken place on global and national levels. These changes have brought great upheavals in the international community, and had provided a new direction and hope to the Indian society. While on the international scene, the communism as a socio-political philosophy to govern the nations has collapsed. Soviet Union fragmented in to 13 independent countries, eastern Europe transformed from a monolithic block of closed societies to open and free democracies, East and West Germanies rejoined to become one single nation again. The era of cold war is over. The two super powers joined hands and became friends. A new threat posed by Islamists in the form of international terrorism has emerged as the greatest danger in the recent times to global peace.
On Indian scene, the people have witnessed phenomenal rise in the National awakening on a large scale (perhaps for the first time since India got Independence), leading to unprecedented unity among masses on the issues pertaining to National unity, security, honor, and peaceful coexistence of various sections of the society. A positive support and widespread recognition of the philosophy of Hindutva is a direct product of this national awakening and approval of the policies of the national forces represented by BJP in the political arena. The judgement of the Supreme Court on defining the Hindutva as the national and cultural life of India, has enforced the idea of Hindutva as the cultural nationalism, as has been advocated by BJP since its inception. It was just not a coincidence that on November 9, 1989 when the removal of the first brick of Berlin wall was heralding the demise of communism, 8000 miles away in Ayodhya the first brick of the proposed Ram temple was placed on the occasion of Shilanyas, had triggered an upsurge in the Hindu renaissance. This foundation stone had not only brought a cultural and ideological revolution in the national psyche of India, but also set the course of Hindu unity and reinforced Hindutva as the India's true identity, and strengthened the nationalist forces. The Ayodhya movement to build a grand temple to Lord Rama at His birthplace brought BJP to the front of the political arena, ultimately leading to its victory at the hustings and making it single largest party to lead a coalition government of 24 parties at the federal level.
Many Indians with strong national feelings residing abroad felt compelled to contribute and play some role in shaping or helping India at this moment. In the foreign media there had been a constant disinformation campaign sometimes even leading to falsehood, against India in general and Hindu nationalist organizations including BJP in particular. Unfortunately very few Indians abroad are aware of actual happenings in India, and therefore unable to counter the false and mischievous propaganda in the media against India and nationalist forces. Therefore, considering these realities it was considered by some NRI's who have their ideological affinity with BJP, to start a forum or an organization which can educate ethnic Indian community, dispel the misgivings and false perceptions of American public and law makers, correct the media distortions, and propagate the BJP philosophy, and at the same time foster friendly relations between two counties. After prolonged deliberations and consultations with various leaders involved, Overseas Friends of BJP was launched on 28th April, 1991 in New York, USA, which was followed by establishing a similar unit in London, UK, also, and later in Canada also.
The main objectives of the organization were formulated which are outlined as follows:
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To work towards projecting a positive and correct image of India and its people in the in the U.S. and foreign media, and correct any distortions in the media's reporting of current events taking place in India.
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To promote the philosophy of 'Integral Humanism'.
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To foster a cordial relationship between Asian Indian and North American People, by establishing direct communication channels with local ethnic and national media, and organizing regular seminars on topics of mutual interest.
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To create a think tank of mature, experienced and intelligent individuals of Indian origin in order to utilize their expertise and wisdom to generate new ideas which could be beneficial for the Asian Indian community in North America and the people of India.
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To work towards strengthening social bonds among Asian Indians, irrespective of region, religion, race, creed and color, and help to generate a feeling of oneness and brotherhood.
Since the formation of OFBJP, we have undertaken several programs to achieve our goals, these programs include seminars on various issues concerning India's current political, national and social problems, meetings and press conferences of BJP leaders, mobilizing public support on Kashmir, terrorism and Punjab issues (organized rallies at UNO and Capitol Hills etc.), educating people on Ayodhya movement, and ideological issues pertaining to Hindutva, signature campaign, publishing news-letters, radio-program, lobbying in Washington for protecting India's national interests, and building harmonious relations between India and USA, etc. OFBJP has also been very active in the cyber space. It was responsible to launch website for BJP in 1996, it was the first political party in Asia to have its presence in cyberspace at that time. All these programs have been very successful, and in the last 10 years we have made substantial impact in educating the public about BJP and India, also correcting some of the distortions in the media.
At present local units of OFBJP are active in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, Tampa, Nashville, Atlanta, Rochester, Detroit, Allentown, etc. Our efforts are to expand the organization in other cities/States also. People interested in BJP's philosophy are encouraged and urged to join OFBJP.
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