HSS USA Annual Report 2021-2022

President’s Message

Namaste,

I am delighted to share our Annual Report for October 2021 to September 2022.

As the public health advisories from the local to the federal level were relaxed, HSS weekly centers (Shakhas) were resumed in in-person settings. Some e-Shakhas continued to engage relatively distant members, while some e-Shakhas merged with other e-Shakhas, bringing back accumulated energy and robustness.

For the past two years, HSS volunteers and families have focused on helping their communities and the needy across the country. A spirit of giving and contributing to society kept the morale uplifted during a globally challenging time.

After contributing time, effort, and dollars during the peak of pandemic advisories we found our volunteers undertaking in-person events and activities with fresh enthusiasm and renewed energy to do even more. Their motivation was visible in conducting the regular HSS projects and an extraordinary project of this year, “Darshana – A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization.” This is a natural outcome of inculcated culture, regular practice of working collectively for the greater good, and a habit developed during weekly Shakha of disciplined planning and collective execution.

The following Report provides a bird’s eye view of the contributions of our volunteers and their families.

- Dr. Vinod Ambastha President Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA

Darshana Exhibition

Attended by : Governors, Mayors, City Council Representatives, State Representatives, US Representatives, US Senators, Teachers and Superintendents, University Faculty and Administrators, interfaith leaders, ethnic leaders, law enforcement officers, judicial officers, Library officials and business leaders, and broad public participation.

Highlight : Exhibition on Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

This year, HSS volunteers initiated and developed a traveling exhibition entitled “Darshana – A Glimpse into the Hindu Civilization.” Several organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, EKAL USA, Sewa International USA, Indica, Chinmaya Mission, Hindu University America, and local Hindu temples, made enormous contributions toward

promoting and display of this exhibition.

This exhibition, with vivid illustrations and lucid and succinct descriptions of 24 different topics related to Yoga, Ayurveda, Dharma, mathematics, architecture, arts, sciences, traditional attire, and present-day global impact, created awareness and inspired further curiosity for the deeper study of these topics.

In addition to various community venues and state capital buildings, this exhibition was held on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Two US Senators, seven Members of the House of Representatives, and several congressional staff attended and actively engaged with the organizers to learn more about the Hindu community and its traditions, culture, and philosophy. His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan also paid a surprise visit to the Darshana exhibition.

Senator Mike Braun R-IN at Capitol Hill

With Shri Shri Ravi Shankar ji at Southern California

State Representative Christina Haswood, Kansas

Sikh American Businessman at Darshana exhibition in Chicago

Vijaya Dashami

Celebrated at 34 locations nationwide

HSS USA was founded in 1989 on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami. As a part of this annual celebration, HSS volunteers showcased various activities by children, young adults, youths, and family members they learn and practice weekly in their respective centers, such as yoga postures, the band (“Ghosh”), singing, chorus, and various games.

After a gap of two years due to COVID restrictions, last year, most Shakhas organized in-person Vijaya Dashami celebrations, which took place at 34 locations involving all regional HSS centers. Community leaders from varied organizations, including interfaith community organizations, were invited as chief guests to these events.

Health for Humanity Yogathon

12,600 total participated nationally

3000 students and teachers participated from various schools

728,795 Surya Namaskars were collectively performed

Over 12,600 enthusiasts actively performed daily Surya Namaskar sets during this project. Over 3,000 students and teachers from various schools participated this year. A total of 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.

School children participating in Health for Humanity Yogathon

HSS held its two-week-long 15th annual Health for Humanity Yogathon, also known as Surya Namaskar Yajna (SNY), between January 15 and January 30.

129 elected officials, including several US Senators and Representatives, Governors, State Representatives, and Mayors, issued proclamations to recognize this initiative and encouraged their constituents to participate in this valuable health awareness program.

Guru Vandana (Teachers Appreciation)

States: 23 | Cities: 71 | Events: 85 | Teachers: 3,233 | Total Participants: 7,634 | School Districts Covered: 62

Guru Vandana at Sacramento CA

During May and June 2022, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA (HSS) organized Guru Vandana events across the nation to honor teachers and their contributions to society.

In a typical event, the children presented a cultural program where Sanskrit shlokas were recited in

Guru Vandana Maryland

honor of 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. Locally chief guests shared their thoughts with the audience, followed by a teacher appreciation ceremony.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan Arizona

The Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan typically falls in August of the Gregorian calendar. This festival marks the relations and mutual responsibilities of protecting one another by tying a thread called “Rakhi.” HSS celebrates this festival as Universal Oneness Day. HSS volunteers visit the local first responders and appreciate them for protecting the

Raksha Bandhan Wisconsin

community. This outreach has become an annual tradition for the HSS volunteers and the police, fire, and local officials. Based on the first responders’ availability, HSS volunteers observe this festival in August and September. At the time of printing this report, this outreach was still happening in many places.

Dharma Internship Program

Dharma Internship Program Arizona

HSS Kishore (Young-Adult) Division organized eight weeks of discovery, learning, and contribution program for students from rising sophomores to high school grads. The program was conducted in more than 40 centers across the United States, with 540 interns registered this year.

Interns completed several innovative projects during the summer of 2022, focused on Sewa Journalism

and Audio Book Project. Interns interviewed many inspiring social workers, including Magsaysay award winner “waterman of India” Rajendra Singh, Dr. Balasubramaniam of Swami Vivekananda Youth movement (SVYM), and Padma Awardee Phoolbasan Bai Yadav. Additionally, volunteers, including those who carried out relief work during the Colorado wildfires and Kentucky Tornadoes, were also interviewed for articles written by interns.

HSS Women Division (“Sevika Vibhag”) Activities

In the wake of slowly evolving back to in-person Shakhas and informal meetings called milans, sevikas across the country conducted a hybrid of various programs on Zoom and in-person where feasible. During Deepawali 2021, sevikas sent 1750 letters to healthcare professionals greeting them on Dhanvantri divas, a day to celebrate and thank doctors and healthcare service providers for their noble contributions.

Samiti publications “Grateful and Gratified” were bought from Bharat and distributed to all sambhags;

many reading sessions and discussion forums were also conducted. During Chaitra Navratri in April, Storytelling from the Ramayan, also known as Ramkatha pravachans, happened successfully for the third year. This time 120 Sevikas participated. In many locations, there were in-person gatherings where sevikas read aloud the Ramkatha to enthusiastic audiences. Two sambhags conducted Women’s Day panel discussions to celebrate International Women’s Day. Prerana, the Sevikacreated E-magazine, is well on track, publishing four magazines per year.

Hindu YUVA

Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action) celebrated its 15th anniversary this past academic year. As the universities emerged from COVIDspecific restrictions, Hindu YUVA grew to create an impactful Hindu presence through its 48 university chapters. Hindu YUVA organized several activities, including celebrations of festivals such as Diwali, Hindu New Year, Ram Navami, Guru Vandana with professors and administrators, Raksha Bandhan, and Ganesh Chaturthi, launching of its podcast “The Hindu American Dream,” celebrating the graduating class of 2022, various career workshops, hosting the traveling Hindu exhibition - Darshana, and seminars on Hinduphobia and Hindu persecution. Over 15,000 students participated through these activities this past year across the United States.

Charaiveti: The Hindu YUVA National Summit

The Hindu YUVA leadership from 64 universities, including 48 Hindu YUVA chapters, gathered for “Charaiveti: The Hindu YUVA National Summit” from September 9 to September 11 in Chicago to celebrate 15 years of organizational growth and Hindu activism on university campuses across North America. The summit Charaiveti, meaning “moving forward,” brought together 208 yuvas (young leaders) of Hindu YUVA and representatives of 15 Hindu community organizations. The sessions ranged from workshops on strengthening organizations on campus to understanding the role of Hindu Youth in society. The fun-filled weekend concluded with launching several Hindu YUVA merchandise and blessings from Shri Saumitra Gokhale, international coordinator of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. The students returned more passionate than ever to create positive change based on Hindu ideals at their universities.

Charaiveti: The Hindu YUVA National Summit

Graduation ceremony at Bay area

HSS SEWA ACTIVITIES

As part of the mission of making a complete human being, HSS volunteers receive training to perform service activities in their local communities. They include Adopt-A-Highway, freshly cooked food for

the homeless, backpack donations to needy school children, helping new University students, and more. Following are the highlights of Sewa activities for the past year.

COVID vaccination drives

During December and the beginning of January, HSS volunteers helped in vaccination drives in their communities. At Columbus, Ohio, 700 individuals received vaccination either for the first time or

the second time. At Lakshmi Narayan temple, Sacramento, California, nearly 450 people were vaccinated.

Sewa Vidyadaan Backpack Drive Photo Livermore, CA Sewa Blood Donation Drive - South Bay CA

Sewa after Marshall, CO Wildfire

The wildfire at Marshall Colorado was devastating and shook everyone. Many community members came forward to help. The Hindu Temple of Colorado,

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA (HSS), and Sewa International, working with many other local organizations stepped up to help in many ways.

Sewa Diwali

During Diwali Season 2021, 315 Dharmic-American organizations and communities gathered over 590,000 pounds of food, donating to about 240 food distribution centers across the country. HSS coordinated this initiative nationwide. The effort extended across 31 states and involved over 200 townships.

Sewa Diwali Massachusetts

Sewa at Marshall Wildfire 2022

Adopt A Highway - RTP, NC Highway Cleanup

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Participation

MLK Day Celebration at Sacramento CA

HSS Swayamsevak, Sevikas, and Kishores of Fishers and Carmel Shakha (Indiana) participated in the MLK day celebrations at the Conner Prairie Museum.

HSS had a booth, at which visitors were informed of HSS activities such as the ongoing Surya Namaskar

MLK Day at Dallas TX

Yagna, and were invited to join International Day of Yoga (planned for June 21 at Conner Prairie). Kishores also volunteered, helping out in various capacities: manning the blood donation drive and guiding visitors.

Black History Month

On March 17, HSS Woodbridge, New Jersey, chapter celebrated Black History Month with Detective Mark Zeno. Mr. Zeno delivered an outstanding talk on the significance of Black History Month with a presentation about eminent African American personalities. Similarly, HSS Parsipani, NJ chapter celebrated Black History Month at Viraj Dham Temple in Parsipani on Sunday. Gordon Drewry Jr., Gospel Minister, First Baptist Church, Madison, and his mother, Nora Drewry, a licensed social worker, presented a unique and interactive introduction to the history of African Americans and their journey to America

National Senior Citizens Day

On the occasion of National Senior Citizens Fitness Day (May 25), HSS New Jersey chapter had a great time sharing our practices of #Yoga, at Oak tree#Yoga Practices Senior Center, Iselin, Woodbridge, New Jersey. HSS volunteers conducted a

one-and-a-half hour long yoga workshop, including ice-breaking games, warm-ups, yogasanas, chair Surya Namaskar, infinite loop walking, pranayama, and ending with meditation.

Hindu Heritage Month

HSS and several US-based Hindu organizations celebrated October 2021 as Hindu Heritage Month. From the profound Hindu philosophy to meditation and nonviolence, Yoga and food, festivities and charity, dance and music, the Hindu way of life has touched Americans in numerous ways. Hindus celebrate this month in any and all of these forms that uniquely identify with the Hindu community

through religious, spiritual, and cultural programs, conferences, and educational events.

For American leaders across the nation, the contribution of the ancient Hindu way and, more importantly, the active role of Hindus in American society was worth appreciation and praise.

Hindu Unity Day

Hindu Unity Day at Houston, TX

HSS has been collaborating Hindu Unity Day celebration since 2005 with other Dharmic organizations. Hindu Unity Day provides an opportunity to share, learn and act from each other’s experiences and learnings. Over the years, Hindu Unity Day has covered topics related to “Community Outreach,” “Synergizing Sewa Activities,”

and “Creating Second Generation Hindu Youth Leadership.”

For example, the Houston chapter held its 18th annual Hindu Unity Day on Saturday, August 27, at the ISKCON of Houston. Representatives from more than 50 Hindu organizations attended this event.

Independence Day Celebration

HSS members actively participate in the US Independence day celebration on July 4 in their respective cities and towns events. They are trained in marching with the band/Ghosh. In addition to the band, HSS volunteers also held booths introducing their activities and involvement in the local community events and charities. Attendees of these local events appreciate such well-synchronized band music.

July 4, Independence Day at Charlotte NC

Comments

““HSS has inspired its members and individuals across the country, as well as globally, to participate in its national Yoga-focused Health for Humanity initiative known as Surya Namaskar Yajna,”

- New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy, while appreciating HSS efforts of Health for Humanity despite the challenges of the pandemic. Ocean.

“I enjoyed watching a session and learning about the benefits of incorporating Yoga into my daily routine.”

-Senator Adriane Johnson, Illinois State Senator, serving the 30th District.

“I appreciate it (Hindu Culture) because it’s an enterprising culture. So much of what we do in this world has its roots there, and the more I see, the more I learn about it; it’s probably part of how we solve today’s problems, from climate change to food security. In general, it’s an industrious, enterprising, and faithful community. Glad I’ve had time to learn more about it.”

-Senator Mike Braun R-IN at Hindu Civilization Exhibition at Capitol Hill

“We were incredibly honored to participate in Raksha Bandhan festivities today and to receive so many beautiful gifts from generous local volunteers of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Inc., USA. Thank for recognizing our first responders for their tireless work to keep us safe. You made us all feel incredibly special.”

-Lisa Marotta, Mayor of Rocky Hill, CT

The HSS community celebrates this holiday as “Universal Oneness Day” broadening its scope from the family to the community with the simple idea that we should love and protect each other as being part of society. Officers were honored to meet with the HSS community members and took part in tying Raksha Bandhan threads, and other traditions associated with the holiday.

-Westford MA Police Department

“What an honor to be here. I am learning a little bit more about Hindu culture and everything that was being part of today’s program.”

-Jaime Maccarone, Brooks Crossing Elementary School, NJ principal