Disclaimer: The contents of this article were supplied by Ram Lingam. The views expressed are solely those of the author.
Ram Lingam, a familiar figure in Auckland’s interfaith circles, recently returned from a three-day, high-speed dash across the United States, travelling from the West Coast to New York and back. His destination: a crucial, UNICEF-organised event at the United Nations General Assembly’s 80th Session (UNGA 80).
Ram’s trip was not a standard visit; but that was instilled with a mission. As the sole Hindu and interfaith leader invited from New Zealand to the Faith Leaders Roundtable 80 on 23 September 2025, his role was to carry the voice of the global Hindu community to the world stage. He described the assignment as daunting, immediately framed by the grim backdrop of the global crisis facing children.
At the roundtable, the mood was one of stark emergency. UNICEF officials laid out alarming facts that demanded an immediate response from the faith-based organisations present. Ram recounted the chilling data: over 473 million children—nearly one in five globally—now live within active conflict zones. The violence is quantifiable, with 32,990 grave violations against minors confirmed in 2023 alone. The humanitarian crisis is acutely felt in regions like Haiti, where turmoil has caused the displacement of 680,000 children and left more than a million facing food scarcity.
For the Hindu representative, the challenge was clear: move beyond sympathy and propose a strategic solution. His core objective was to detail both the possibility and the imperative for closer collaboration between Hindu groups and international bodies, particularly the agencies of the United Nations.
The message focused on strategically directing existing Hindu benevolence for greater global benefit. He explained that while Hindu groups worldwide perform substantial charitable work rooted deeply in their values, this large-scale giving often goes unnoticed by the wider public. "We tend to operate quietly and at scale," he explained. This tradition, he argued, perfectly embodies the spirit of the Atharva Veda's message on charity: "Earn with a hundred hands, but give and donate as if you have a thousand hands" (Śata hasta samāhara sahasra hasta saṃkira).
The goal, therefore, is to channel this powerful current of philanthropy towards initiatives that demonstrate dependable, expanded mechanisms for achieving measurable global results.
Ram was able to point to immediate, successful models of this collaboration. He noted that the joint structure has already yielded good results with groups such as the Art of Living Foundation (AoL), which secured Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC.
He cited the effective integration of Hindu resources with UN logistical expertise through GIWA (Global Interfaith WASH Alliance), delivering quantifiable public health results. Other examples included the Sadhguru Foundation (Isha)’s work with UNICEF on adolescent empowerment, and the integrated welfare programmes run by the Chinmaya Mission’s CORD and the disaster relief efforts of Sewa International.
Ram advocated for an evolving role for interfaith work. While promoting religious harmony remains paramount, he argued that interfaith coalitions must now leverage their shared moral authority to become powerful proponents for humanitarian aid.
He called for interfaith to become a unified voice for assistance, noting that faith-based organisations are "more than willing to marshal our faith voice together" to address these pressing needs.
As for the personal toll of the marathon journey, Ram Lingam had a humorous reflection.
The high-speed travel, he quipped, left him feeling "like a diplomat making a quick visit but without any of the diplomatic bypass channel or immunity."
He concluded by expressing his sincere thanks for the support of the Hindu community, especially his colleagues at the Hindu Foundation of New Zealand.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article were supplied by Ram Lingam. The views expressed are solely those of the author.