Music as Bridge Builder

http://www.bbc.co.uk/imagine/episode/venezuela_classical_music.shtml

Last night, I saw this amazing documentary about the Sistema, a classical music orchestra cultivated from the grassroots of Caracas in Venezuela. Children brought up in poverty were given a chance by a visionary from a young age to learn, play and perform classical music. It lifted their lives and aspirations, and the music that came out was truly harmonious, passionate and sublime. Their conductor Dudamel is now regarded as one of the best in the world, and he was trained through Sistema and is only 25 years old. I had just written a book on Social Cohesion and when I saw this programme, my hope was reinforced. Music is a fantastic way to build cohesion, and in an orchestra harmony is required, created and opens the possibility of sustainance. The best part was the informality and fun of it all - classical music was not formal or stiff, but creative and fun, and this passion came out in the performances. Perhaps our problem today is that we have all become too formal and stiff, and need to loosen up and see the creativity of playfulness and experience true joy. I encourage you to watch this programme and see the power of music in building cohesion.

OBAMA OPENS NEW DOORS

The election of Obama in the US as President is excellent news for Black Britain. We now have the possibility of minorities becoming public leaders in this country at every level - government, civil service, institutions, - as Britain has to change now. There should be embarassment about the fact that so many doors of public life are still closed to black people at senior levels. Also, at a time when the global situation is so grave the world desperately needs new ideas and new solutions to pressing problems. Could black people have cultures and solutions which could heal the world and bring about positive change - I believe so, but because of racism, these ideas have been denied from getting a civic platform. Our new book on 'Social Cohesion - A Jain Perpective' is an example of one such 'black' idea which should be allowed its due platform and given a serious hearing. It is radical, authentic, thoroughly researched and a positive blueprint for a new Britain.

IS BRITAIN'S HISTORY PREVENTING ITS PROGRESS?

Once upon a time, Britain ruled the world. It exported its language and way of thinking and running a country to the rest of the world, trying to 'civilise' it. Along the way, Britons learnt a few things also - that other countries and peoples can be beautiful too, and that they do have something to teach the world. However, the relationship was one of power, and so Britons were too proud to admit it.

Fast forward to the present. Britain is no longer a world power. However, the world lives in Britain. However, has the attitude to 'foreigners' changed? Is it still 'we will use you, but not share power with you'? Recently, someone who was born and raised as a white Briton said to me that the British are very arrogant. Is there truth in this?

In an increasingly inter-dependent world, Britain needs to change its attitude. Especially its pride and arrogance. It also needs to admit its flaws and failures. And allow other cultures to help it solve its problems. The British mind needs to change its colour screens. It also needs to learn to see other cultures in their own terms. Here is an example - my daughter was asked by her friends whether she is going to have an arranged marriage when she grows up. The people who asked her come from a culture where one in three marriages break up, yet they had the arrogance to insult my daughter in this way. This shows the depth of ignorance in our society. This needs to change, especially among those in positions of power and influence.

Do you agree? Let me have your comments.

INTERNATIONAL JAIN SUMMER SCHOOL LAUNCHED IN EUROPE

On Saturday 11th October, a team of fifteen Jain leaders from North America came to the Oshwal Centre in Potters Bar, London to launch the International Jain Summer School in Europe. Directors of the School, Dr. Sulekh Jain and Dr. Shugan Jain spoke of the significant impact this project has had in different parts of the world over the last five years since inception, reading out testimonials from visiting scholars and professors. After a six week session in the living museum that is India, where they are taught various aspects of Jain philosophy and culture, and travel to prominent Jain places, meeting various members of the community, many are transformed by the experience. This little known culture with its vast ocean of wisdom then becomes open to study, reflection and dissemination. The project is a brainchild of a group of North American Jain leaders inspired by Professor Cromwell Crawford, who is the Academic Dean and mentor. Mr. Ashok Shah, President of the Oshwal Association of UK, congratulated the visitors and encouraged visiting leaders from all the Jain organisations to support this initiative which takes Jain awareness to new dimensions. Present at the event were representatives from Institute of Jainology, Veerayatan UK, Jain Samaj Europe, National Council of Vanik Organisations, National Council of Faith and Belief in Further Education, Mahavir Foundation and Young Jains.The Association members and volunteers hosted the whole event extremely well, and the visitors were touched by everyone's warmth and hospitality. The Ayambil festival was going on and there were hundreds of visitors to the temple that day. Details of the temple are at http://www.oshwal.org/ Dr. Atul Shah and Dr. Vinod Kapashi coordinated the event, and nuns from Jain Vishwa Bharti were present at the occasion.

In 2009, the eminent Jain scholar and prolific writer, Prof. Padmanabh Jaini, will be a visiting professor at the school. Prof. Werner Menski, from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London sent a special message of congratulations for the achievements explaining that the fact that all travel costs are covered and there is a stipend for scholars makes a great difference as funding is in short supply in this field, and scholars need to be supported and encouraged. The community support for education is to be admired and encouraged. Dr. Prakash Shah, Reader in Law at Queen Mary College, University of London was also very impressed by the initiative and encouraged scholars everywhere to participate and help promote this unique venture. He will personally promote the school. More details about the school and applications forms are at the excellent website http://www.jainstudies.org/ and the deadline for applications for 2009 is the end of February. Jayni Gudka will be liaising with any applicants and she can be reached via email at jayni@inaphoto.com

Also launched at the event was a new book by Yogendra Jain of Boston entitled 'Jain Way of Life' which provides a very readable account of all aspects of the tradition and its modern day relevance http://www.jwol.org/ and a book entitled 'Jain Food - Compassionate and Healthy Eating' by Manoj Jain, Laxmi Jain and Tarla Dalal.

AFRAID TO ENQUIRE

One of the traits of indigenous British culture is privacy, and I often find people are afraid to enquire about the faiths of other people or even visit their temples or gurudwaras. They may be very interested, but are afraid to ask even though these places are open to the public seven days a week. There is also a belief that a visitor may infringe on the rules of behaviour and somehow offend the faith.

This is far from the truth. Forgiveness is central to many faiths, and where a visitor is coming for the first time, their innocence and enquiry is welcomed. Also hospitality and guests are honoured in many faiths, and people would be more than happy to guide visitors if there are any questions.

If people do not take these 'risks', they are losing out big time in learning about other cultures and enjoying the Diversity of Britain. Examples of beautiful places to visit in London are http://www.mandir.org and http://www.oshwal.org and http://www.sgsss.org and all are free and open to visitors, with the Sikh Gurudwara even giving a free meal to guests at any time.

RACISM AT THE METROPOLITAN POLICE

In the last two days, there have been two major racism allegations from senior officers - Tariq Ghaffur and Yasmin Rehman who was head of diversity. It seems unbelievable that a Head of Diversity suffered from discrimination! Generally, when people make these allegations, a lot of suffering has already happened as they usually are career suicide.

To me there is a real lack of senior ethnic minority officers throughout the UK public service. And the reason for this is simple - UK leaders want power to be mono-cultural. They do not want to share this, where people are from different cultures and identities. This has to change as Britain is a multi-cultural nation and people have to realise that power is a thin wedge - leaders should not go after power but do be good public servants. This attitude of the Met suggests that leaders are not about public service but instead about power. Many ethnic minorities have strong cultures of public service and leadership where they are willing to share and devolve power. But they need to be given the chance.

PRACTICAL TRAINING

One of the simplest and most practical ways of cultivating respect is through hospitality and gracefulness. If we put ourselves into the shoes of others, we will be able to see the picture from their perspective - we need not agree with it, but it helps to understand it. Here are some tips:
- Welcome visitors and offer them a glass of water without even asking.
- Smile, if possible try to say something positive about them
- Look into their eyes and try to make a connection
- Make time for people and investing in your key relationships
- Read about other cultures, through novels or books, hear their music, or watch their films.
- Travel with an open mind and challenge your thinking and perceptions of others

This is building respect in a simple practical way.