An exhibition highlighting the spread of the Ramayana across Asia and beyond was held at the Maryland State Assembly Building in Annapolis. The one-day event attracted state lawmakers, diplomats, and prominent community members, drawing a large audience to the Annapolis campus.
Several Maryland representatives shared their perspectives during the event. Representative Wu Chao remarked that the exhibition demonstrates how culture connects people from diverse countries and backgrounds. He emphasized that such cultural initiatives foster greater understanding among people and help reduce political differences. According to Chao, “This is a culture that unites people, embraces diversity, and truly enhances mutual understanding among varied backgrounds.”
Representative Harry Bhandari spoke about the moral teachings of the Ramayana, describing it not just as a religious text but as a guide to leading a righteous life. He highlighted that the Ramayana imparts lessons on character, sacrifice, family values, humility, and avoiding ego. Bhandari noted that these teachings are especially relevant today, as society faces numerous challenges.
Representative Mike Rogers, a former military officer who has traveled extensively across Asia, said the exhibition reminded him of his experiences. He observed, “We have more similarities than differences. Understanding shared traditions increases mutual respect and makes the world a better place.”
Aruna Ghising from the Nepal Embassy shared that the exhibition revived childhood memories of watching Ramayana serials. She expressed surprise at the Ramayana’s influence reaching distant countries like Guyana. Ghising described the event as a beautiful cultural celebration and expressed hope for future collaborations.
The organisers deliberately hosted the exhibition within the state legislature to enable policymakers and staff to appreciate the Ramayana’s extensive Asian civilisational context. Utsav Chakravarti from HinduAction noted that Maryland is home to a significant Hindu population, along with Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Filipino communities. He pointed out that many lawmakers have limited knowledge of Hindu history in countries where Hindus are now a minority, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, or the Philippines.
Dr Vidya Sathyamurthy played a key role in bringing the exhibition to Maryland. She shared that the exhibition has previously been displayed at the US Capitol and Ohio State Capitol. Sathyamurthy described the Ramayana as a historic epic whose moral teachings continue to influence lives across generations and borders.
She added that the exhibition included representation from around 11 countries, reflecting the widespread recognition of the Ramayana in more than 16 nations in various forms. The central message focuses on unity, duty, sacrifice, and the importance of family—values particularly inspiring for the youth.
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