The US states of Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, and Massachusetts, have declared October to be Hindu Traditions Month, citing Hinduism's unique history and heritage as having "contributed significantly" to America.
The proclamations came after a number of Hindu organizations in the United States announced the inclusion of another major festival, a month-long celebration of Hindu heritage, in October.
“Communities of the faith have long served as beacons of hope, sharing their beliefs and bettering their communities through service; improving and inspiring the lives of thousands of followers around the world,” according to the respective declarations issued recently by the offices of governors of various states, congressmen, and senators.
Hindu organizations in the United States are currently lobbying and working hard to get "Hindu Heritage Month" officially declared by the US government.
According to the organizers, President Joe Biden should issue an Executive Order designating October as Hindu Heritage Month.
“In order to continue to harbor and preserve healthy ties with India, the homeland of millions of Hindu-Americans, we ask you (the president) to officially designate the month of October as Hindu Heritage Month by Executive Order,” they stated.
Ajay Shah, head of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), said it's astonishing how little people know about Sanatan Vedic Dharma.
"It's past time for the rest of the world to learn about our philosophy and ethos. "
By mid-July, he claimed, the VHPA and other Hindu organizations had submitted over 20 letters to state governors asking that October be declared Hindu Heritage Month.
The Hindu Heritage Month event will highlight the importance of variety in Hindu civilization.
Sanjay Kaul, vice president of the World Hindu Council of America, one of the event's organizers, stated, "Hindu history and culture are thousands of years old; it is our responsibility to share it with the world and pass it on to our future generations so that they feel pride in their origins."
Cultural programs, fashion displays, webinars, multi-day conferences, walkathons, and other events are planned, according to the organizers.
These activities will adhere to the Covid protocol and will be held both in person and online.
Dr. Jai Bansal, vice president of the World Hindu Council of America, emphasizes that the Hindu community is modest by nature.
With the second and third generations now making their imprint in their adopted countries, the time has come for the Hindu community to come out of its shell and speak about its rich cultural history and vital role in contributing to the fabric of the adopted lands in a variety of ways.
"The American experience is all about sharing and learning each of our unique cultures, traditions, and histories," Hindu Student Council president Arnav Kejriwal said, welcoming the organizers' decision to hold the month-long event.
"We will get to see so many communities graciously tell their unique stories in the course of a dedicated history and awareness month, and I am ecstatic about the opportunity." To put the occasion in context, VHPA general secretary Amitabh VW Mittal stated that there is no one book that can explain Hindu philosophy since it is continuously developing and its contribution to human civilization is immeasurable.
In fact, the vitality of Hinduism puts it at danger of being misunderstood, he said, adding that Hindu Heritage Month would allow the world to see how open and free Hindu thought is, which is "frequently restricted and distorted by the term "religion."
“The Hindu Heritage Month is a great opportunity for the Hindu community to remember our collective journey so far — from the ancient Vedic times, our own golden eras, through the trials and tribulations of conquests and colonization — and look optimistically forward at the opportunity we have for recovering and rearticing,” says Kalyan Viswanathan, president of Hindu University of America.
Shobha Swami, General Secretary of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA), spoke about the variety of the culture that would be honored throughout October.
The ethnic tapestry here is colored by multigenerational Hindus from all over the globe who call the United States home.
For this month-long festival in October, they want to show off their vitality in arts, dance, music, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, ayurveda, and cuisine in all its forms,” she added.
The inclusion of another significant celebration, a full month of festivities, in October as the Hindu Heritage Month was announced by Hindu dharma-based organizations from across the globe, including those of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain traditions.
Hindus are one of the most recent and fastest-growing immigrant groups in the United States and Canada.
They are completely integrated into every area of their adoptive community, providing it with not just great professional achievements but also rich cultural legacy, according to organizers.
They are supported by a rock-solid family structure and a passion for education.
Their varied and rich culture has amazed everyone in the Western world, from beautiful ethnic clothing to delectable cuisine to holidays like Holi and Diwali.
All organizations, companies, and people that identify with the Sanatan (everlasting) principles inherent in Hindu dharma are welcome to participate.
More than 30 groups have already signed on to this wonderful celebration of our common history, with many more likely to do so soon.
“Hindu history and culture is thousands of years old; it is our responsibility to share it with the world and pass it on to our future generations for them to take pride in their roots,” said Sanjay Kaul, Vice President - World Hindu Council of America, one of the event's organizers.
Arnav Kejriwal, President of the Hindu Student Council (HSC), expressed his delight at the organizers' choice to host this month-long event, saying, "HSC is very pleased about the Hindu Heritage Month." Sharing and learning about each of our many cultures, customs, and history is fundamental to the American experience.
In the course of a devoted history and awareness month, we will get to witness so many groups kindly share their unique experiences, and I am thrilled at the possibility of seeing the Hindu American community give our own memories in return.”
“The Vedic Sanatan Dharma — which is, with a limited capacity of understanding, referred to as Hinduism — represents the only continuous civilization that has survived the test of time for tens of thousands of years,” said Amitabh VW Mittal, General Secretary of the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA).
There is no one book that can be used to understand Hindu philosophy since it is continuously developing and has an incalculable contribution to human civilisation; in fact, its vibrancy risks being misunderstood.
The Hindu Heritage Month will allow the rest of the world to see how open and free this philosophy is, which is often misunderstood by the term "religion." “The Hindu Heritage Month is a great opportunity for the Hindu community to remember our collective journey so far — from the ancient Vedic times, our own golden eras, through the trials and tribulations of coexistence,” said Kalyan Viswanathan, President of Hindu University of America, who sees this as the community's chance to communicate with the world in general and the United States and Canada in particular.
During the festivities, I hope we may think on what it means to be Hindu in today's world: if it's just a question of ethnicity or whether we have something to say, something to offer that might be of incalculable worth to all of humanity.” Shobha Swami, the General Secretary of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA), spoke about the variety of the culture that would be honored throughout October.
“Multigenerational Hindus from all over the globe who have made the United States their home contribute to the ethnic tapestry here.
For this month-long festival in October, they want to show off their vibrancy in arts, dance, music, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, Ayurveda, and cuisine in all its forms,” she added.
Anyone interested in becoming a part of the HHM celebration can register as a partner on our website, www.hindumonth.org.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.