Hindu YUVA: Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action
As young Hindu Americans, we have a responsibility to contend with. A responsibility of being the inheritors of the oldest and the most inclusive culture in existence.The young and energetic karyakartas (volunteers) of Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action) have been working hard on university campuses across the United States to do justice to do this great responsibility.
Welcome 2010! An entire decade of the 21st century is over. A lot has happened and continues to happen in the United States and around the world. As young Hindu Americans, we have a responsibility to contend with. A responsibility of being the inheritors of the oldest and the most inclusive culture in existence. A responsibility to share the culture and its universal values with the wider American audience. A responsibility to preserve the meaning, understanding, and the practice of the culture for those who are Hindu Americans. Indeed, let us welcome this hugely important responsibility with blessings of our ancestors while keeping in mind the welfare of the world.
“Our youth must be made to feel proud of being born in the great lineage of rishis and yogis. If we have to live up to their legacy, we must live as Hindus, we must appear as Hindus and we must make ourselves felt by the whole world as Hindus." - Shri Golwalkar Guruji, lifelong social worker
As one of the major cultures of the world, the pluralistic Hindu Dharma has great values to offer to humanity, especially in the decade that has been rife with religious conflicts and heinous terrorist acts, including the tragic events of September 11th. It is perhaps a great coincidence that the great Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda came to Chicago as a representative of Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions on September 11th, 1893. His now famous speech that started with, “Dear Brothers and Sisters of America…” carry more meaning and weight than ever before. The service organization started in his honor, Vivekananda Kendra, celebrates Universal Brotherhood Day each year on September 11th to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s historic address.
Let us understand the true meaning of the words of the great Swami Vivekananda and act on it to welcome this new decade. Let us, as young Hindu Americans, strive hard to bring forth the pluralistic values of Hindu culture in this post-modern world. The young and energetic karyakartas (volunteers) of Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action) have been working hard on university campuses across the United States to do justice to do this great responsibility. Below, you will find several activities, projects, and programs that have been and are being conducted to carry forth the message of Hindu Dharma and to help its followers live its values. Let this be the change that we can not only believe in, but the change that we can make happen!
Speaker on Campus: Bringing the Relevant Knowledge of Hindu Culture to Universities
Hindu YUVA organized Speaker on Campus, a lecture series to raise awareness about Hindu Dharma, at 24 universities last fall. This program brought eminent speakers to university campuses to present to students and faculty on topics such as Yoga, Ayurveda, and Hindu philosophy. Speaker on Campus has been conducted across the country for the past four years.
University Shakha: Creating a Regular and Sustained Cultural Experience
Hindu YUVA organizes weekly gatherings, called Shakha, at 18 universities across the country. Students gain knowledge about Hindu Dharma not just by listening to presentations or reading books, but by immersing themselves in firsthand experience: by doing yoga, playing games, having intellectually stimulating discussions, and doing community service projects around campus.
Yuva Sangam: A Confluence of Young Minds
Yuva Sangams are day-long or weekend retreats that bring together youth and help them connect to their Hindu roots. Activities include games, yoga, team-building workshops, and discussions on challenges and opportunities faced by Hindu youth in America. Last year, five regional yuva sangams were held around the country, with participation from 200 youth.
Yuva for Sewa: Opportunity to Create Positive Change
For the past four years, Yuva for Sewa provides youth an opportunity to volunteer their time, while using their area of interest, to help the disadvantaged. Projects throughout the US, India, and the Caribbean are designed for building leadership and teamwork, empowering visionaries, and providing firsthand experience in helping the community. Last summer, five student volunteers dedicated a few weeks to service projects as diverse as microfinance, slum development, and teaching English.
Leadership Development Camps: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders
Week-long leadership development camps are organized to help youth realize and prepare for exceptional leadership roles. These intensive and fun-filled training camps build confidence, instill a sense of social service, promote leadership qualities, and help build a strong network of like-minded youth. Last year, 60 youth participated in five such camps.
Tattva: A Magazine for Hindu Youth
The magazine you are reading now was started by Hindu YUVA three years ago as a way to present inspiring aspects of the ancient Hindu culture along with related current day issues, and offer youth a forum to share ideas. Tattva has grown to reach an audience of 2,500 readers in 18 countries.
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