Dhan - of the Hindu for the Hindu

The History - so we learn from, and dont repeat it.

In ancient, pre-abrahamic India, the village revolved around the temple. The temple was the bank, school, gym, guesthouse, gaushala, social security program, garib kalyan anna yojana, nana-nani park, centers for art, clubhouse and community center. It was managed via a well oiled system that served successfully for centuries. But most significantly, it was the pillar that kept the community together. <add 2-3 lines on Balutedar system of MH>. <Describe how No migration to cities => low crime, no beggars>. 

Lord Macaulay sums it up pretty well. "I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such caliber."

The Madras Regulation VII of 1817 changed all that. The East India Company took control of the prosperous temples of South India and shipped all their wealth to Britan (I tried, but cant get myself to call it "Great").  Anywho, that crumbled the carefully constructed and perfected, social fabric. Bringing poverty, illiteracy, hunger and great famines to the doorstep of Sujalam Suphalam Bharat. Even after the transfer of power on Aug 15th 1947, the fate of Hindu temples remains the same, while mosques and gurudwaras were ultimately unshackled. 

Present day...

I watched intently, the proceedings of the Dharm Sansad at Mahakumbh, Prayagraj. Our Dharm Gurus all advocated freedom of our temples. It is a voice that Modiji cannot ignore. We know from the last 11 years that Modiji times his shots better than Virat Kohli. Every big decision he has endorsed - be it abbrogation of Article 370 or the Ram Mandir or Surgical strikes or even the controversial , demonetization <Need input - CRUD this list???> - is meticulously planned. मोदीजी पूरी फील्डिंग लगाके ही पिच पर पधारते हैं. So this could take time, how much? Your guess is as good as mine. 

We Indians have a tendency to outsource all our responsibilities to Modiji. So how about we take an early run-up and prepare ourselves for the changes to come?

Imagine this...

What if the community voluntarily donates(via UPI) to a central entity? Lets call it a Mandir Trust. This is run by a committee that includes accountants. They publish quarterly balance sheet of the Trust. 

So the Trust funds are used for upkeep of the Mandir. 

All rituals and utsavs are celebrated traditionally. The premises is beautified with flowers and fruits used for the rituals. A hall is built in front of the garbh gruh for the community to assemble and join in celebrations. The elders in the community gather in the evenings. The funds are used to procure a table, a harmonium, 

 

It can be done and here's the evidence...

There is a small Datta Mandir close to where I live. The managing committee discourages random donations. They plan projects around the temple and only accept crowdfunding upto the budget required for the project. 

<Add pics of project, budget, timeline>

<question to the lawyer reading this - any legal implications? I don’t want to disclose any PI info that will create trouble >

Thank you!

...for hearing me out. Let me know your thoughts. Tell me of any similar initiatives you have seen or participated in. Would love to hear your stories and successes. 

But most importantly, remember that if our Mandirs are to be liberated, only Modiji/BJP have the intent and resolve to actualize it. So have faith, patience and do do your bit in your community and on election days.