California Textbook Review
Interview with Hindu Education Foundation (HEF) official
In middle school social studies textbooks, there are a lot of inaccuracies on Hinduism and India. Hindu Education Foundation (HEF) is helping to correct these problems. Following is my interview with Anjali Patel, coordinator of HEF.
Varija: We heard that HEF has done something that to change the information on India and Hinduism in textbooks. What is HEF?
[Anjali Patel] HEF is Hindu Education Foundation. It is an organization mainly of Hindu Parents. In California, sixth grade textbooks have India and Hinduism in their curriculum. There are a lot on factual errors and negative portrayals about India and Hinduism. HEF tried to fix these problems.
Varija: Why do you think it is important for kids to know the truth about Hinduism?
Answer: Any religion, if mentioned in a book, should have the correct information so that kids can understand the true meaning of the particular religion. It is important to have pride on the faith they follow.
Varija: What motivated you to fix the 'facts' that our textbooks had on India and Hinduism to the truth?
Anjali Patel: I was looking through my daughter's textbook and found some things that were not right about Hinduism and India. I felt it as my duty, as a parent, to fix these problems.
Varija: Can you describe the process that you went through to fix these errors?
Anjali Patel: In CA, the state board decides the books to be used by schools. HEF worked with the state board of Education, and sent the edits and corrections to fix the errors. We attended all the meetings. Unfortunately the things are still pending.
Varija: Why would anyone want to oppose the changes we are suggesting?
Anjali Patel: People may want to oppose the changes that we are suggesting because they do not want any positive remarks to be said about Hinduism or India. They might also be opposing our changes just because they want to pick a fight.
Varija: Can you give us some examples of the inaccuracies that HEF has found in our textbooks?
Anjali Patel: Some of the major inaccuracies and negative portrayal are about Aryan invasion, mixing the issues like cast system rebirth and karma philosophy, womens role in society etc.
Varija: What resources can we look to find more on HEF?
Anjali Patel: To find out more on HEF, you should go to http://www.hindueducation.org
Varija: What resources would you recommend for teenagers to find out more on India and Hinduism?
Anjali Patel: There are many resources in print and on the web. I can think of Idiots Guide to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen for students and teachers. For teachers, there are more advanced books, which can be helpful while conducting classes. A very good website anyone can refer is A TRIBUTE TO HINDUISM http://www.atributetohinduism.com
Varija: As teenagers, how can we contribute to this effort?
Anjali Patel: Whenever something about India comes up, make sure you have the correct information about it, and if a student/teacher makes a mistake while talking about Hinduism or India, then tell them the correct thing. Most importantly, stand up for the truth, and be knowledgeable your self.
Varija: What are HEF's plans for the future?
Anjali Patel: We are planning a teacher seminar, a textbook review, and we are also planning to put resources and correct information on the website
Varija: Do you have plans to expand HEF's work into other states in US?
Anjali Patel: Yes, we are planning to expand HEF to the entire U.S. We already have few chapters.