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The Hindu Dharma Sabha that took place on behalf of Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) in USA on Kamika Ekadashi (18 July 2009) was unique not only because it was the first such Dharma Sabha in North America, but also because it was broadcast live over the Internet. Thus, anyone with access to the Internet, from any part of the world could attend this Dharma Sabha and also participate in the Dharma Sabha’s interactive ‘question-answer’ session. This was probably the first time that a Hindu religious event was being live broadcasted like this. It pioneered a new way to spread the message of Dharma Education, breaking the barriers of location.

Even as the event began, already 170 people from across the world were logged in to view it live, joining in the 100 people who had come to attend in person. Initially, as we experienced technical difficulties in the live broadcast, some of the 170 dropped the connection, but later, 70 more joined in. Thus, about 250 people, including seekers from around the world, could attend the Dharma Sabha. They attended, with prayers, glorification (jai-ghoash) and much interest. Over the live chat, they reminded each other to pray for removal of obstacles from the Dharma Sabha, its live broadcast and so on. Their questions related to the speeches and videos shown during the Dharma Sabha were taken up for answering by each of the speakers they were addressed to. Seekers attending the Dharma Sabha via the Internet experienced similar level of spiritual healing, divine consciousness, Bliss and spiritual emotion as did the seekers attending it in person.

Many people who joined via the live broadcast, stayed through out the 4-and-a-half hour program, despite it being late at night (11:30pm through 4am) for some of them who joined from India, etc. This itself shows how much people liked the Dharma Sabha. In this regard, the inquiry of an old American man speaks volumes. He was one among several Americans who attended the Hinduism Meet in person, curious to know about Hinduism. The old American man has been attending Catholic church worship services twice a week and donating regularly to the church for the past 50 years. However, he has stopped attending church and donating to it for the past 3-4 months, being dejected by the lawsuits against Catholic priests’ sexual scandals. After attending the Dharma Sabha, he asked one of our seekers if there are regular Hindu worship services held at the Durga Mandir (so he could join them.) It shows how the Dharma Sabha’s Hinduism and spiritual education appealed even to non-Hindus and people, regardless of their race or culture.

After the Dharma Sabha, we also received several inquiries for its recording, so people who missed it, could watch it. A recording of the Dharma Sabha is available until Ganesh Chaturthi (23 August 2009) at www.livestream.com/ForumForHinduAwakening. A clear, live audio recording of the Dharma Sabha was made by Washington Bangla Radio and is available on their website http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/co ... washington

Some comments by the attendees via the live broadcast:
• “Unimaginable a few years ago that hindus could unite this way. Satyameva jayate!”
• “Great achievement for us. We have to keep up this momenyum by engaging in uplifting the lot of our suffering brothren here in india.”
• “Bravo HJS members and FHA members!”
• “Please tell me what I can do for it (Rama Sethu issue to be taken up in school syllabus). I am in India.”

Some questions by the attendees via the live broadcast:
• Question for Shri. Rajan Zed- sir like we protested love guru, but still films are made to insult Deities and the Guru. Can we make some steps to make some law against these movies?
• What is the success of the Rama Sethu project, Dr. Kusum?
• How is the message of Hindu Dharma being spread to the youth?
• Dr.Kusum, can we take up the issue of Rama Sethu into the subject study in syllabus of schools?
• For Bhavna Shinde: As I am a beginner to start spiritual practice, to what extent is it possible for me to help someone else to get benefitted from my chanting?
• Does FHA intend to have any activities or sabhas in other cities around the US?

Media (press) coverage of the Hindu Dharma Sabha:
The other interesting feature of this Dharma Sabha was the coverage it received before and after the Dharma Sabha, in international, local newspapers and Internet news sites. Here are some links of the coverage received after:

Times of India, India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS ... 801295.cms

THE HINDU
http://www.hindu.com/holnus/001200907210940.htm

THE HINDUSTAN TIMES
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage ... 915fa766b5

News Blaze, California:
http://newsblaze.com/story/200907190630 ... story.html

The Hinduism Meet was covered with photos in Fairfax local print newspaper and its online version, as below...
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/gallery/294/
(or you can go to “This week in photos” on the lower right side on this page, log in and read the entire news at: http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/news/local/)

Net news:
http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-76436.html

http://sanatanadharma2002.blogspot.com/

Yahoo news:
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/a ... ccessfully

I think your topic should have been titled:

Advantages of broadcasting events live over the Internet

I fail to understand what we have to do with this meeting.

Get out of here.

Har Har Mahadev !!!

http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org