The hallowed halls of Maryland’s State Assembly in Annapolis hosted a poignant exhibition on January 23, exploring the Ramayana’s expansive influence from Asia outward. Legislators, diplomats, and civic leaders attended, turning the event into a platform for cultural enlightenment and unity.
Delegate Wu Chao articulated how the display illustrates culture’s connective tissue across borders and heritages. ‘It builds bridges of understanding, softening political discord while embracing diversity,’ she noted, advocating for more such initiatives.
Delegate Harry Bhandari offered a philosophical lens, framing the Ramayana as an ethical compass for life. Its doctrines on virtue, sacrifice, family devotion, humility, and ego transcendence resonate deeply in turbulent times marked by societal ills.
With his Asian military background, Delegate Mike Rogers connected personally. ‘Our shared stories outshine divisions,’ he stated. ‘Recognizing them fosters esteem and a harmonious world.’
Aruna Ghising of the Nepal Embassy evoked childhood viewings of Ramayana broadcasts, stunned by its ties to remote Guyana. She called the gathering a magnificent cultural spectacle, keen on future partnerships.
Placing the exhibit amid legislators was deliberate, aiming to inform on the epic’s pan-Asian roots, per HinduAction’s Festival Chakravarti. Maryland boasts robust Hindu presence plus Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Filipino enclaves. Chakravarti highlighted knowledge gaps among delegates regarding Hindu histories in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Dr. Vidya Sathyamurti, instrumental in its Maryland debut post-US Capitol and Ohio visits, hailed the Ramayana’s historic stature. Representing 11 nations, it evidences reverence in 16+ countries, conveying unity, duty, sacrifice, and family primacy—inspiring especially the young.
This gathering signals growing recognition of ancient epics’ modern utility in promoting global cohesion.