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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.

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ROCKAWAY, NJ, USA, January 17, 2023 /– On January 16th, 2023, ‘Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA, (HSS) Youths’ received the ‘2023 Service Above Self MLK Youth Leadership Award’ from Aurora (IL) Mayor Richard Irvin. This award was given to youth groups and youth leaders for their Community Service and efforts in promoting ‘Diversity-Equity-Inclusion’ (DEI). HSS Youth received this award for their food drives, highway cleanup, cultural education and, honoring of school teachers & first responders, and other service activities in 2022.

Since its inception in 1989, HSS has focused on inculcating its members to practice universal values of Hinduism, such as humanity, equality, inclusivity, and serving the needy in the society they belong to. Over the years, HSS, through its local chapters and members, has worked for society by conducting food drives, cleanup projects, health awareness events, tutoring, and helping people during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently with government authorities to conduct successful vaccination drives.

HSS youths that received the award observed that the award was only an acknowledgment of being part of the society and that, just like MLK said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now,” and that serving society was more fulfilling than the award itself.

HSS volunteers at Roseville & Rocklin, California, celebrated MLK day with the local community and community leaders. They also helped the event organizers in the setup and cleanup. The youth chanted Hindu prayers for “peace for all and unity”, which were appreciated by the participants.

The Lewisville community in North Texas celebrated the 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This year the theme was “Living the Dream: It Takes a Team.” Hindu Education Foundation (HEF), a project of HSS, continued the partnership with the MLK committee of North Texas to co-sponsor and co-host the event this year in collaboration with the local school district. The event was attended by elected officials from 3 neighboring towns and the school district superintendent. This civic event is planned as a non-political inter-Faith event to celebrate the ideals of Dr. King, such as eliminating all forms of prejudice, equality of races, equality of gender, sustainable development, and international peace.

HSS Dallas team partnered with African American museum in a Realizing the Dream – Healthy Expo. The HSS volunteers conducted a few sessions of Yoga and SNY, explaining the simple breathing techniques, their benefits, and how they can be practiced. Many people attended and gave very positive feedback.

HSS member and volunteer Mr. J. R. Sandadi was invited by the Indiana Christian Leadership Conference (ICLC) to represent the Hindu community for the 54th MLK Day celebration service at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Sandadi, expressing his gratitude for Martin Luther King Jr., spoke on this occasion and offered a Hindu prayer of peace and unity for all. Sharing his experience, Mr. Sandadi quoted MLK, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” He further said, “MLK’s inspiration is not limited to a day, but is experienced all the time while serving the society.”

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Timings and zoom links are given to enable all to listen at convenient timings. More than 120 sevikas participated in the reading.

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The Illinois House of Representatives commended HSS in a State House resolution to recognize these efforts. While recognizing HSS for its year-round activities and social work in their neighborhoods, this resolution explicitly acknowledged over 52,000 repeated Surya Namaskar Yoga by 4000 individuals in the State. It further commended HSS for promoting all community members’ spiritual, mental, and physical well-being.

Nationally, this year, over 12,600 enthusiasts actively performed daily Surya Namaskar sets for the duration of this project. Over  3,000 students and teachers from various schools participated in this activity. Total 728,795 Surya Namaskars were collectively performed. Many participants acknowledged its benefits in attaining physical and emotional balance and committed to continuing this activity regularly. Additionally, 161 Yoga teachers attended special local events where they were felicitated for their work in the local communities. 129 elected officials, including several US senators, Governors, State representatives, and Mayors, issued proclamations to recognize this initiative and encouraged their constituents to participate in this valuable health awareness program.

Since its inception in 2007, participants from 43 states have actively participated. This includes individuals, families, Yoga centers, community organizations, schools, and colleges.  Regardless of individual faiths and beliefs, enthusiasts have experienced and collectively performed over four million Surya Namaskars. Community leaders and many elected officials across the nation have appreciated this initiative and encouraged their residents to participate and gain the benefits of an overall healthy lifestyle. Health for Humanity Yogathon has received numerous proclamations from American mayors, governors, US Congressmen, and US Senators.   It was recognized as a part of Congressional records in 2017. Acknowledging the community benefits of this initiative, the Let’s Move initiative of the then First Lady Michelle Obama declared HSS as a partner in 2012.

“Surya Namaskar Yajna has always been an inspiring and satisfying event. This year was more challenging due to the sudden surge in COVID cases, which led to several uncertainties,” said national project coordinator Mr. Srinidhi Sreepad. “But our team of dedicated volunteers made some quick changes, and we could successfully conduct this flagship program of HSS. We got an amazing response from the community, and it made all our efforts worthwhile,” he added.

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On March 12, 2022, Dr. Vimal Patel, President of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Indiana Chapter, was honored as the Interfaith Ambassador of the Year at a celebratory banquet with over 350 people in attendance including the Mayor of Indianapolis, at the historic Union Station in Downtown Indianapolis. The attendees were treated to a delicious Indian vegetarian meal and entertainment which reflected the faith and culture of the person being honored. The Center for Interfaith Cooperation gave the award, and Dr. Patel was the first Hindu to have received that award.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Patel brought out some central messages in different faiths to live in a harmonious world. Love Thy Neighbor could well be what a Hindu would say, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘ – the whole world is one family. Growing up, he said, Hindus are taught the Upanishadic statement – ‘Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahudha Vadanti’ – meaning, Truth is One, God is worshiped in different names.

The 82-year-old Dr. Patel, an emeritus of the University of California, Davis, received his Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry. He has been a Hoosier for over 50 years, and one of the earliest Hindus settled in the Indianapolis area. He is a founding member of India Community Center, the Geeta Mandal of Indianapolis, and a founder of the architecturally aesthetic Hindu Temple, known as the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana He is a board member of the Hindu University of American Orland, FL.

He has been a pioneer in the body-mind medical field. He received the Ayurveda Ratna, from Allahabad University, in 1996, where he studied under practicing Ayurvedic Physicians. Dr. Patel was an Associate Professor of Neuropathology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He served as Director of Neurochemistry Diagnostic Laboratory at the Department of Pathology for 34 years, from 1970 to 2004. During his active career, he established the Indiana Institute of Integrative Medicine and served as its Director and President.

In his post-retirement period, he is actively engaged in Interfaith dialogues representing Hindu Dharma with many different organizations, including schools and churches, and was a past board member of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation.

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The Parsippany Chapter of the Hindu Service Society celebrates Black History Month on February 27th at the Viraj Dham Temple. Gordon Drewery Jr. Minster of the Gospel First Baptist Church and Nora Drewery Licensed Social Worker and Storyteller presented a unique and interactive introduction to the History of the Black community and their journey to the US.  They also covered the many contributions of black leaders, inventors, writers, scientists.  They emphasized the essence of every human and how important it is to be proud of who we are. It was a rewarding experience for all the families that attended the event.
Gordon Drewery Jr. is a teacher, writer, poet and coach, and mentor. He is dedicated to helping others with love.  Nora Drewery is a Licensed Social Worker, she is a former teacher who taught in Morris School District for 26 years.  She is also a Bible study instructor for First Baptist Church.

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