The post HSS Annual Report 2022-2023 appeared first on HSSUS.

Traditionally, Raksha Bandhan is an occasion when sisters tie sacred threads, or rakhis, around the wrists of their brothers. These rakhis symbolize love, affection, and commitment to protect and care for one another. For HSS, Raksha Bandhan extends beyond the traditional brother-sister relationship, urging all members of society to embrace the responsibility of safeguarding their families and the wider community.

This year, HSS organized Raksha Bandhan celebrations in over 80 chapters across 20 states in the United States. Volunteers tied rakhis to various protectors of society, including police personnel, fire personnel, civic officials, and others who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety and well-being of their communities. This gesture of appreciation and unity recognizes the sacrifices and dedication of those who work tirelessly to protect our society.

HSS volunteers also tied rakhis to faith leaders during this year’s Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. This event demonstrated HSS’s commitment to fostering harmony and understanding among diverse faith communities, promoting the idea that despite our religious and cultural differences, we share a common humanity and the duty to protect and nurture it.

Through these events, HSS reiterates its dedication to building a more harmonious and interconnected world where individuals from all walks of life come together to protect and nurture their shared humanity.

While appreciating on behalf of his team, Fire Chief James Blanchfield, Wilton, CT, said, “It’s nice when we get together for something like this. On behalf of all the emergency services here today, we thank you guys for coming out here and spending the day with us.”

“#UniversalOnenessDay serves as a reminder to reaffirm social and civic responsibilities in hopes to support and protect the community that we are part of. It was great speaking on the importance of #oneness. I also got to try Sesame Barfi, which was delicious! Thank you HSS for stopping by and celebrating!” are thoughts that Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson, District 30, shared.

The post HSS Celebrates Raksha Bandhan: Emphasizing Unity and Protection appeared first on HSSUS.

We at HSS reject and strongly condemn being dragged baselessly and maliciously by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) into these recent alleged, unverified incidents in Naperville, IL. We stand with the Hindu community of greater Chicago to counter IAMC’s hateful and misleading propaganda against Hindus and Hindu community organizations.

We welcome the Islamic Center of Naperville’s approach to tolerance and education in addressing this situation. In line with our vision of ‘Promote dharma, foster peace,’ HSS offers its efforts to bring peace and harmony to Chicagoland.

The post HSS Statement on the alleged incident in Naperville, IL – Oct ‘23 appeared first on HSSUS.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) is profoundly mourning the sudden loss of our passionate young karyakarta, Milind Makwana, on July 18th, 2023 night. A Mumbai-born and raised, Milind started his journey in the United States in 2004 as a high-tech professional, initially in Rochester, NY. Like most immigrants, he aspired and achieved professional success throughout his career and was raising a loving family in San Jose, California. But beyond these similarities, Milind was markedly different from many regarding his passion for contributing to his Hindu community and American society.

Milind got connected with HSS activities in 2004. In his past 19 years of journey, he contributed to the social work he loved and energized many of our members nationwide. Regardless of physical distance and differences in the time zones, no one realized when Milind became their friend. His passion and energy were visible in his HSS activities, Dharmic causes like Sewa International, Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans (APNADB), and his writing of books, creating creative games for children, and countless other activities over the years.

Milind had an aortic heart valve defect since birth. It was operated in his childhood. Milind also went through another surgery in late 2022. Although it might have forced him to limit his social work, it couldn’t stop him entirely from his activities to contribute socially.

या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी |

यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुने: || Gita 2-69||

Simply putting, “Sages stay alert to what masses ignore, and Sages maintain detachment from the nominal things in life that the masses are attracted towards.

Living, growing, and assimilating in a foreign land is a challenge for any immigrant community, and the micro-minority Hindu community is not an exception to this rule. Milind became highly alert and concerned by California’s SB403 Bill, “Discrimination on the basis of ancestry,” that unjustly branded the Hindu-American community based on the castes.

Milind was representative of the Hindu community and was a marginalized Hindu based on the so-called caste structure. However, he was of the firm opinion that this so-called law to protect the marginalized community was, in fact, counter-productive and regressive. For Milind, this law was branding wrongly and a cause of potential social division among the Hindu-American community.

Although recovering from major surgery, Milind, with concerned Hindu community members and Hindu organizations, continued raising awareness among the community and the elected officials and demanding the lawmakers vote down SB403 from becoming law. He fought in the state capital, Sacramento, wrote several articles, and engaged with many to express his opinions and concerns.

It was the July 18th evening when the City of Cupertino held a public hearing on SB403 and planned to vote to denounce it. Milind was present at this time, too, and spoke in front of the City Hall elected officials. He saw late at night at the City Hall that his speech contributed to convincing the City Council to vote against SB403 and the state not to make such a law targeting one minority community. Unfortunately, the same night was dreadful, taking Milind away from his family, friends, and the community.

Swami Vivekananda was one of the icons Milind always prayed and worshipped. Till his last breath, Milind lived Swamiji’s famous quote, “As you have come into this world, leave some mark behind. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the trees and stones? They too come into existence, decay, and die.”

Purvi Makwana, while remembering her husband, made an appeal, “Milind had this clear conviction that Dalits and Bahujans are also Hindu. He was passionate about Justice for underprivileged communities and, at the same time, wanted mutual trust and harmony among all communities. All his life, he had stood for Dharma. I urge the community to support and take forward Milind’s dream of Justice, Harmony, and Dharma.”

The Hindu community in California and across the United States has felt this shock. A prayer meeting is being organized on Sunday 7/22/2023. Help is pouring to support his wife and two children on a specially established fundraising site.

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचि

नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूय: |

अजो नित्य: शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो

न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे || Gita 2-20||

For Milind’s family and equally for HSS USA, it will take time to heal. And regardless, Milind will remain live in our hearts and memories. He will remain visible from our collective actions, those that were near and dear to him.

Our heartfelt condolences and sincere prayers for Milind’s Sadgathi.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते |

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ||

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ||

The post HSS USA mourns the sudden and tragic loss of Shri Milind Makwana appeared first on HSSUS.

The post Prerana – July 2023 appeared first on HSSUS.

In North Carolina, over 100 HSS volunteers walked in the 4th of July parade, a few playing traditional Hindu and American patriotic tunes on their band instruments. They were cheered by the onlooking crowds and welcomed warmly by the organizers. In Texas, HSS was recognized as “Friends of the Event” at a city-organized Independence Day fest. A group of teenage and adult volunteers of HSS also helped out the organizers at the town’s annual celebration with set up, crowd management, and cleaning afterward. In the San Jose area of California, HSS volunteer families participated in the “Red and White Parade.” Young children in ethnic outfits walked enthusiastically, holding the American flag and posters on Yoga and Spirituality. HSS USA designed these posters as part of Darshana – a traveling educational exhibition about the Hindu civilization.

HSS organizes youth and leadership development camps nationwide to train its volunteers each summer. Attendees of these camps, including trainers, trainees, and support staff, celebrated July 4th this year by hoisting the star-spangled banner and singing the national anthem. These celebrations occurred at multiple locations, from Indiana to Southern California and Washington State to upstate New York.

July 4th is also an important day for Hindus worldwide, as it marks the death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who introduced the West, especially the US, to Hindu philosophy and Yoga. He passed away on this day in the year 1902. HSS would like to remember the contributions of Swami Vivekananda, including his famous speech at the Parliament of World Religions, which is a source of inspiration for peace, harmony, and well-being of all people of the world.

The post HSS volunteers participate in July 4th celebrations appeared first on HSSUS.

The U.S. celebrates the first week of May as “teachers appreciation week” and Tuesday of the same week as “National Teachers Day.” Hindu philosophy and culture consider the Guru the “Supreme Being” who invokes and sustains the light of knowledge while eliminating the darkness of ignorance. Our lives are touched and inspired by countless teachers in schools, colleges, and many other activities in which we excel. To acknowledge and appreciate these Gurus who silently shape our lives, during May and June 2023, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA (HSS) organized Guru Vandana events across the nation to honor teachers and their contribution to society. More than 1000 academicians, including teachers, principals, and superintendents from over 60 school districts, were appreciated during these events, attended by more than 6000 attendees comprising students, parents, and other invitees.

In a typical event, the children presented a cultural program where Sanskrit shlokas were recited, honoring the Guru. The shlokas focused on the significance of the Guru, comparing the Guru to God and pointing out the Guru’s role in achieving supreme knowledge. A local chief guest shared their thoughts with the audience, followed by a teacher appreciation ceremony.

This event included a cultural program at several places where children participated and presented their talent in classical dances, songs, and musical instruments. Darshana, a popular exhibition on Hindu Civilization developed by HSS volunteers, was held at several places. Young student members of HSS led the presentation at each Darshana poster and explained various facets of Hindu Dharma, Philosophy, Yoga, and other civilizational aspects. Some children developed innovative skits reflecting great personalities from India and the U.S. Some presented their training in Indian martial arts, Yoga, and other team activities. Some locations had game stalls and information stalls on various cultural and philosophical aspects. All these events were organized by local HSS centers and planned and coordinated by teenage children and their families. In some places, HSS collaborated with the local townships to involve the school district.

Teachers and attendees were impressed by students’ level of involvement in all age groups and how they respected their teachers. Some teachers especially enjoyed the Hindu way of performing aarti with kumkum on the forehead, offering flowers, and offering sweets, followed by bowing down in front of the teacher. School teachers especially appreciated this event. They acknowledged their passion and hard work and how this event introduced them to Hindu culture and its all-inclusive philosophy.

During their presentations or acting as event emcees, students liberally showered praise on their teachers by sharing how they learned math, English, dance, or something else and how teachers made them confident and independent thinkers.

Parents enjoyed the event and appreciated it, as it helped their children to participate, made them think about the importance of the Guru in their lives, and became an opportunity to interact with teachers and school representatives.

Following are some of the comments received by the attendees:

“I feel humbled by the love and respect shown by the Hindu community towards us. It’s heartwarming to see such appreciation and recognition for our work. I got to learn so much about Hindu Culture today,” – A school teacher from Wilton, CT.

“People are very involved in honoring our teachers, which I think is a fantastic endeavor,” – New Buffalo Grove Village, IL, President Eric Smith.

“It is important for the students to connect the modern subjects with the knowledge from their own culture. It leads to personalized learning for the students. I have taken pictures to reference back to them later.” – A social sciences teacher from the 6th grade from a Boston, MA, area school.

The post HSS appreciated Teachers nationwide during its Guru Vandana events appeared first on HSSUS.

We want to highlight the fact from our earlier statement, “Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) is a non-political, nonprofit, volunteer-based organization and is neither involved in nor does it support any political activism. However, recently we came across certain media articles referring to HSS in connection with activities or events that HSS neither organized nor was involved with.” HSS activities are US-based, and its membership consists of US-born, raised, and additionally immigrated from diverse countries worldwide. HSS works with and across all communities in the United States.

Our long history of community service has been widely acknowledged, both in terms of public citations and in developing partnerships with elected leaders, government agencies, schools, interfaith, and more.

What is missing in all our work and action is negativity. Our record is transparent that reflects nothing but working across American society. We challenge such publications to find a case where HSS has criticized any other group, community, faith, gender, etc. However, it is an open record to see the history of negativity and guerilla attacks on Hindus and, in this case, on HSS. It, unfortunately, reflects that such publications ignore the dark past of World War II when false repeated allegations of “a square is, in fact, a circle” resulted in inhumane hate against minorities. It is a matter of concern that such repeated allegations are rising against the peaceful and law-abiding Hindu community and Hindu organizations like HSS.

Regardless of such negativity, we continue to practice the Hindu values of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the Whole World is One Family).’ Our work will continue, and we will keep growing and making friends in the United States of America.

The post HSS denounces ongoing propaganda of hateful and malicious writing appeared first on HSSUS.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS USA) initiated several social services, also known as Sewa activities, starting Earth Day with a series of cleanup events across the country. More than 120+ Volunteers from various HSS USA branches participated in planned environmental-related activities to protect the earth. Some of the highlights of the celebrations:

Various cities adopted roads, Highways across the US. As part of cleaning efforts, these chapters cleaned the roads, and highways. Following are the highlights of this year’s Earth Day Sewa activities.

* Adopt-A-Highway events in Naperville, IL, cleaned up about 4 miles of stretch of highway.

* Volunteers from Portland, OR cleaned up about 1-mile stretch of County Road.

* A Beach cleanup event was organized at Seal Beach, CA and about 30 HSS volunteers participated.

* HSS Volunteers helped in an annual spring trash off and cleanup event at Flowermound, TX.

* In New Jersey state, volunteers cleaned up parks as part of the earth day celebration. Additionally, HSS volunteers joined local Earth Day celebrations organized by Edison Health Department (NJ). Around 40 SS participated in this event.

* Branches of South Jersey chapter did a park clean up activity on April 15th to celebrate Earth day ! 16 KKs participated in this event.

Some of the HSS chapters also conducted other sewa activities:

* San Ramon, CA chapter organized a Blood donation camp and could donate 90 Units of blood.

* In Washington, HSS chapter organized a blood drive in Renton and about 31 Donors donated the blood.
Blood Donation camo at Dallas, TX partnering with other orgs.

HSS volunteers from Mountain House CA cleaned and planted a huge farming area in Amma Ashram in San Ramon, CA.

HSS Peoria chapter hosted its third annual book fair at Trewyn School offering more than 500 books.

Sewa activities is an integral part of HSS volunteerism. It helps HSS members to contribute to American society and help to get involved in selfless service.

The post HSS Volunteers conducted series of volunteering activities starting Earth Day and beyond appeared first on HSSUS.

We want to highlight the fact from our earlier statement, “Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS) is a non-political, nonprofit, volunteer-based organization and is neither involved in nor does it support any political activism. However, recently we came across certain media articles referring to HSS in connection with activities or events that HSS neither organized nor was involved with.”  HSS activities are US-based, and its membership consists of US-born, raised, and additionally immigrated from diverse countries worldwide. HSS works with and across all communities in the United States.

Our long history of community service has been widely acknowledged, both in terms of public citations and in developing partnerships with elected leaders, government agencies, schools, interfaith, and more.

HSS initiated Health for Humanity Yogathon, developing health awareness across American society regardless of any social barrier. An Exhibition, “Darshana – A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization,” produced by HSS, was held and well received by citizens, interfaith organizations, and elected officials across the party line and attended by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. 

We are proud of our record of inculcating our American members with the best cultural and civil education. It was visible especially during COVID when our young and adult generations were working shoulder to shoulder to help individuals, families, and society by supporting local governments and Federal Emergency Management Authority. 

However, unfortunately, the authors of the above-referred article misused HSS and its noble work in society to malign its name and its members. The authors referred to comments by those perpetually criticizing HSS and Hindu traditions. However, as a standard journalistic practice, the authors did not formally contact HSS for its responses and its stand while writing this biased article. 

While attempting to discredit our work, this article (a) Falsely characterizes Health for Humanity Yogathon as a Hindu Nationalist campaign; (b) Makes a casteist interpretation of Yoga to question the multiplicity and diversity of practices of Yoga, which is ill-informed and discriminatory (c) Misleads its readers by falsely claiming that the US civic officials, without any background check, appreciate HSS’ Yogathon and other community services. 

Further, this article considers that HSS members are from India, showing prejudice, apathy, and lack of knowledge. Thus effectively, the authors of this article are segmenting the 1% of the American-Hindu community from the rest of American society. Such allegations are grave and of anti-minority view. That to our dismay, an almost 150-year-old publication, The Nation, which has seen the history of World War II and its impact on minorities, helped publicize. Our work is factually accurate, and our clean record is publicly available. Regardless, while propagandizing, the writers desperately tried to convince their toxic interpretations as facts. Thus we strongly object to the intention of the reporters to vilify Hindu-Americans and their social contribution to American society. 

Our commitment to serving the society we live in – is in accordance to the Hindu values of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Whole World is One Family)’ that we practice daily. As such, our work will continue, and we will keep growing and making friends in the United States of America.

The post HSS condemns the disinformation and propaganda promoted by The Nation appeared first on HSSUS.