Tattva

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA is a volun-tary, non-profit, social and cultural organization . Sangh, as the organization is popularly known, aims to organize the Hindu community in order to preserve, practice and promote Hindu ideals and values. HSS conducts structured programs of regu-lar athletic and academic activities to develop strong character and leadership skills in its members (known as swayamsevaks for men and sevikas for women), emphasizing values such as self-discipline, self-confidence and a spirit of selfless service (seva) for humanity. HSS encourages maintaining Hindu cultural identity in harmony with the larger community.

Sangh is inspired by the idea that the whole world is one fam-ily and conducts activities across the United States in order to spread this message widely. Sangh in the United States started in 1989 and today has over 100 weekly meeting centers (shakhas) across the country.

Shakha Activities:
Each chapter of HSS is known as Shakha - a weekly program for the entire family. While the kids enjoy learning in the Shakha, youth and adults also participate in activities such as games, songs, discussions, and lectures on Hindu culture. HSS strongly emphasizes the physical, intellectual and spiritual growth of each individual and also promote a sense of discipline.

History:
In 1947, HSS was started in Kenya. Since then, shakhas spread wherever Hindus went-the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, South Af-rica, as well as the United States. Today, Sangh shakhas run in over 40 countries.

In the United States, the groundwork for Sangh began in the early 1950’s and 60’s with the migration of swayamsevaks from India, mainly as students. In 1969, the first shakha in the U.S was started in New Jersey. Shakhas soon flourished in the West Coast as well with the entry of swayamsevaks in the IT field. The gap between the west and east coasts was bridged with the efforts of various vistaraks, or full time volunteers, who entered the unfamiliar areas of MidWest, SouthEast and SouthWest.

Soon, training camps or Sangha Shiksha Vargas (SSV), were started in the United States to train sevaks and sevikas in various shareerik (physical) and boudhik (intellectual) activities. The first 7 day national level SSV saw its commencement in 1994 in Brij Bhoomi, Pennsylvania. Soon, with shakhas blooming in other parts of the U.S, SSV’s began to be conducted in multiple loca-tions. By 1996, SSVs became regular, now being conducted every year in all five zonal regions of the U.S.

Sangh Activities:
In five zones, NorthEast, SouthEast, SouthWest, Midwest and West Coast, over 100 shakhas run throughout the week in the mornings and evenings, in parks, temples and schools. Over the 20 years, about 16 sevaks and 1 sevika has left their homes as vistaraks, full-time sangh volunteers, for a year or more. Sangh also started bal-shakhas which came to be known as balagoku-lam, acting as centers for instilling samskars in young Hindu minds. Sangh has also conducted large-scale events to instill confidence in society and its swayamsevaks. In 2001, the nation witnessed a gathering of over 12,000 Hindus in Northern California. The first Hindu Sangam in the U.S. later paved way for an-other series of Hindu Sangams in 2006, gathering over 20,000 Hindus in various parts of the United States.

Vacation time can be magical. That’s the time to explore, enjoy and make more friends. Hindu Heritage Camp of HSS has been a favorite event for children in America. Through yoga, games, arts and crafts, stories and skits, HHC brings out hidden talents among the kids and also helps children to understand their cul-tural roots in a fun-filled atmosphere. In 2005, over 2000 chil-dren benefited from these camps.

In 2006, over 3000 children took part in an exciting contest, Kaun Banega Ramayan Expert (KBRE), aimed at increasing the awareness about Ramayan among the children in USA. The con-test included an online exam followed by in-person exams at more than 100 centers across the country. This innovative con-test to take the values of Ramayan to the kids was greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm by children and parents alike.

For Hindu Youth like us, Sangh provides a forum to understand our culture better, take inspiration from our common history and heritage and develop a strong character. The personality development process we undergo in Sangh, takes us a long way in leading a purposeful and meaningful life. Viswa Dharm ki Jai!

Aswathi graduated from University of California, Irvine, with degrees in Biomedical Engineering and International Studies. Her interests include classical dancing and yoga, and organizing fun activities for children. You can reach her at a5swathi@gmail.com

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