Language English
5.5. Analysis of Objective Four
retreats to train/to gain skills and knowledge. Five organisations did not respond to this question.
Qualifications and skills brought back
Members and students of 10 organisations returned with new ideas of methods of imparting knowledge. Eight organisations benefited because individuals returned with knowledge of religious texts. Other benefits were that individuals returned after becoming acharyas and swamis. Three organisations gained because students came back with knowledge of pujas.
Knowledge of art forms and leadership skills were improved and this in turn impacted positively on the provision of religious and cultural information as the qualified and skilled individuals were better able to transfer information to devotees.
Programmes and content offered through the electronic formats
The kinds of programmes offered through the electronic formats varied from organisation to organisation. Eleven organisations offered religious and spiritual information through the electronic formats. Nine organisations had information about the organisation on the website.
Eight organisations offered cultural information, as well as self empowerment and self development information. Two websites offered question and answer type of information.
Music, chanting of mantras and religious scriptures in the original Indian vernacular language were being planned by two reformed Hindu organisations.
Role of Internet in the running of the organisation or for the provision of services
The e-mail facility was popular with 12 organisations as members of the organisations communicated with each other via e-mail. Seven reformed Hindu organisations used the Internet (e-mail) to communicate with other organisations and five organisations used the Internet for public relations (advertising perhaps). Two organisations posted workshop material on their websites. One organisation had e-books on the website. Organisations posted articles, lectures and information regarding classes being held on the websites.
Websites
15 organisations did have websites. Three reformed Hindu organisations were in the process of developing their own websites separate from the website hosted by the international headquarters.
Information offered on the websites
The kinds of information offered on the websites varied greatly. Ten organisations had historical information on their websites. Nine organisations had information on the websites that specified the teachings of the organisations, and eight websites had religious information relevant to the organisational beliefs. International and national news, current news, lists of affiliates, programmes being offered by organisations and literature were also to be found on the websites. Information on holy places, forthcoming events, training programmes, courses and information about seminars were included on a few of the websites of the organisations that made up the study.
5.6. Analysis of questions 5.1.; 5.2.; and 5.3.
These questions were asked in an attempt to understand the degrees of aggressiveness in disseminating information, the shortcomings and challenges that the reformed Hindu organisations face and what improvements could positively affect information dissemination and preservation.
These final questions also gave the interviewees an opportunity to voice their feelings and express some of their concerns.
Pro-active or aggressive information dissemination by the organisation
Although two organisations admitted to not disseminating information about the organisation to outsiders, the other 17 organisations did undertake information dissemination at some level. Eight organisations stated that their activities could be termed pro-active because the senior members were always working on projects for information dissemination, while five described their activities as being aggressive. One organisation relied on word of mouth; four organisations held campaigns to draw attention to their organisations and the activities, and only one organisation described the activities as being "mildly aggressive". There were two organisations that worked through schools. Seven organisations found that the use of the press and news media suited their needs. Six organisations found it essential to keep up with technology to be able to advance their activities and two organisations described their activities as "not aggressive" or "fanatical".
Shortcomings and challenges faced by organisations with regards to the dissemination of information
All 19 reformed Hindu organisations faced some sort of shortcoming or challenge regarding the dissemination of information. A lack of finances was the worst problem with eleven organisations citing this problem. A lack of interest by devotees was experienced by eight organisations. The fact that many devotees were not literate in the Indian language was a problem for six organisations. Seven organisations recognised that only small numbers of Hindus were actually interested in their organisation. Younger members showed a low level of interest in six organisations. Other problems experienced which affected just one or two
organisations included delays in importing literature, low stocks of books and other media, as well as a refusal by senior members to adapt to change.
Possible changes to improve the dissemination and preservation of information
All 19 reformed Hindu organisations answered this question. Of these, 10 organisations saw the access to greater funding as the solution to some of their problems. Nine respondents stated that devotees needed to use the new technologies available to improve the dissemination and preservation of information within these organisations. There were other possible changes which only a few of the reformed Hindu organisations accepted as means to improve the dissemination and preservation of information related to the organisations. These included attracting more volunteers; offering devotees publications with relevant information for their needs; vigorous marketing; and a greater involvement from Indian organisations and individuals with knowledge; the inclusion of the indigenous languages spoken in South Africa; an improved system of religious and cultural education of local Hindus; as well as the development of archives for the preservation and dissemination of the local history of Hindus.