October - Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month

Every year the month of October is celebrated as Hindu Heritage month in the USA. As with many states, the State of California passed a resolution recognizing October as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month (HAAAM). This is a very significant opportunity to learn about the culture of fellow Hindu Americans and their contribution to the welfare of our great nation. Understanding, respecting, and appreciating each other’s culture and beliefs in the community are the essential steps toward a cohesive healthy society. The resolutions passed by many states and cities play a vital role in taking this initiative to the larger communities.

WHY: Significance of October

October is very significant for Hindu Americans as several major Hindu festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, and Navratri are celebrated during this time. October also has the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who practiced the Hindu principle of Ahimsa, meaning non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi inspired and acted as a "guiding light" for the American civil rights movement of Martin Luther King, Jr.

KNOW: A Glimpse of Hindu Americans

America is home to over 3 million Hindu Americans and California is a state with one of the largest Hindu American populations. California has more than 120 Hindu temples and cultural and religious centers. Hindu Americans contribute significantly to our nation. In addition to the widely known economic and intellectual contributions, they enrich through the Vedanta philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature, and community service. The Hindu community collectively engages in Seva, a Sanskrit word for selfless service, towards all needy in the local community through various forms of charities like food donations, blood donations, and disaster relief.

One special initiative taken during the month of October is Sewa Diwali, A nationwide food collection and other donation drives by local communities on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Diwali largely celebrated as the festival of giving and sharing. Sewa Diwali is a collective effort of more than 350 Hindu dharmic organizations. Last year in 2021, this initiative collected and donated about 600,000 pounds of food covering over 200 cities in 32 states.

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill lauded the Sewa Diwali effort in an address to the U.S. House on February 7, 2022, and said, “The enthusiasm toward doing good and giving back to the community Sewa brings to our towns is truly heartwarming.” Aparna Jujjavarapu, the North America Executive Secretary at Chinmaya Mission added, “We are very glad to be a part of Sewa Diwali and hope to continue to live up to our pledge of producing more than what we consume and giving more than what we take. May we all continue to stand as one family with love and respect.”

ALERT: Hinduphobia on Rising

Let's use this occasion to enhance the awareness about the contributions of Hindu Americans as well as Hindu culture, and beliefs. This is very important at a time when Hinduphobia is rising, a recent research published by Rutgers University found an increase in Anti-Hindu Disinformation. The full research report shows a systemic structure of consistent themes ranging from exoticization, barbarism, and heresy, as well as genocidal and tyrannical evils. A recent report published in The Washington Post highlighted that anti-Hindu attacks grow in recent times all over the USA. This is an alarming situation requiring immediate and effective steps to address where each one of us can play a role.

ACTION: How to Get Involved

There are several local efforts to participate in and get involved. You may find this short 2-minute awareness video helpful. There is a nationwide traveling poster exhibition by Hindu dharmic organizations, Darshana - A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization. The upcoming Sewa Diwali 2022 efforts have already started gearing up. There are several public inaugural and awareness programs all over the USA. Together let's create a cohesive community encompassing all and supporting each other as emphasized by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit phrase rooted in Hindu texts, which means "The World Is One Family".

#HINDU-AMERICANS #DIWALI #SEWA #HINDUPHOBIA #DHARSHANA #MARTIN-LUTHER-KING #GANDHI #NON-VIOLENCE #CIVILIZATION #DASARA, #NAVRATRI, #DANDIYA, #GARBA, #INDIA, #BHARAT