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Hindu Heritage Week at Michigan
PRESS RELEASE
The 1st Hindu Heritage Week Held at the University of Michigan is a
Grand Success!
The University of Michigan chapter of Hindu Students Council (HSC)
celebrated the first ever Hindu Heritage Week from January 22-28, 1995.
Over 275 students and community members came to the various events held
all week.
Vidya Kumar, a first-year student explained what Hindu Heritage Week was
all about, "Hindu Heritage Week is great because it allows students to
experience different aspects of Hindu culture and to gain an
appreciation of its significance for the world. HSC also put out a full
page ad in the Michigan Daily for the 3rd time which talked about Hindu
heritage. This was a combined effort of many students at UMich and from
HSC. It shows everyone around campus that we have a great heritage."
The inaugural program was held on Sunday Jan. 22. Swami Tadatmananda
from Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania spoke on the
symbolism and meaning in Hinduism. Swamiji explained that every aspect
of Hindu religion and culture has a deeper spiritual meaning. Our
religious and spiritual practices are meant to lead us to find our true
self. Swamiji explained, "Pilgrimage to a holy place is symbolic of an
inner pilgrimage, the journey within in which we seek to discover our
true Self. On a pilgrimage to a holy place, our efforts are fulfilled
with darshan of the Lord, standing in the Lord's presence in the temple.
In the same way, the inner pilgrimage culminates when we discover the
Lord's presence within our own hearts."
Dr. Gayatri Garg, a community leader, spoke on Preserving Hindu
Heritage. She explained that Hindu history is ancient and that the
philosophy is important to us. Also, it is important for Hindus to
remember that they are a community and that they must work in a united
fashion.
Shri Kanchan Banerjee, Overall Coordinator of HSC from Boston, spoke on
application of Hindu thought in a young professional's life. He said,
"All our actions are to be happy or to avoid unhappiness. That is our
nature. To excel in our profession is also for the same purpose. No
amount of wealth or power can make us happy unless we discover the happy
being within. Rishis of ancient Bharat (India) did experiments for
centuries and developed systems to discover the harmony of the body,
mind and spirit, which is the key step towards finding happiness. This
happiness is very important for the harmonious life in relation to
society and nature. This Hindu system is based on Sanatan Dharma and
encompasses religion, yoga, arts and culture."
Shri Ramesh Joshi performed an inaugural puja to Lord Ganesa to ask for
his blessings for the Hindu Heritage Week programs. He also spoke on
the significance of the puja and explained the stages of life.
Rohit Garg, a first-year student commented, "I'm really excited to see
such enthusiasm within the Hindu community at the University of
Michigan. I'm very hopeful for HSC in the future. I was glad to spend
this week to learn more about our great heritage!"
HSC Essay and Art Contest winners were announced.
HSC extends congratulations to all the winners of the Elementary School
Art Contest and to the 60 entries from 10 states around the country.
Rahul Kohli, a first-year student, explained the purpose of the HSC Art
and Essay Contest, "The Art/Essay contest gives students in our a
community a chance to begin to think about the place of religion and
culture in their lives. The Hindu Students Council desires to support
the active pursuit of knowledge concerning the Hindu heritage and to
reward those who can creatively and eloquently express what they have
learned to others."
HSC Elementary School Art Contest
1st Place: Bella Goyal - Toledo, Ohio
2nd Place: Niman Singh - Hayward, California
Honorable Mention:
Monika Mazumder - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Gautham Sridharan - Ann Arbor, Michigan
HSC Middle School Essay Contest
1st Place (tie): Anu Singla - Troy, Michigan
Deepti Nayan Sharma - Ypsilanti,
Michigan
Honorable Mention: Bhaskar Mazumder - Ann Arbor, Michigan
HSC High School Essay Contest
1st Place: Ketan Amin - West Caldwell, New Jersey
2nd Place: Shvetha Murthy - Mclean, Virginia
3rd Place: Dnyanesh Diwadkar - Ann Arbor, Michigan
In the HSC Essay Contest, students had to write a 2-3 page essay on one
of the following three topics a) What makes me proud to be a Hindu? b)
What does Hinduism mean to me? c) How do I practice Hinduism in my
daily life?
In his essay, Ketan Amin, 1st place winner in the HSC High School Essay
Contest, related the force mentioned in STAR WARS to Hindu philosophy.
He explained, "It all begins with this force which in essence is really
Brahmin ... This force lies within all of us. All of the different
deities are manifestations of this same force or energy. It is
important to note that the same force that Krishna epitomized lies
within all of us. We must remember that we have a part of God within
us. This understanding greatly changes one's reflection on life ... As
I read the Gita, I think of the force within me and it gives me
confidence to strive for my dreams. Every morning I go into our prayer
room and salute Brahman. I salute the force within me which will give
me the ability to achieve all that I desire." He concluded by saying,
"Under the word 'polytheism', I take Hinduism to encompass the other
religions of the world. I see Hinduism as the universal religion since
it promotes individual success through hard work."
For Shvetha Murthy, 2nd place winner in the HSC High School Essay
Contest, Hinduism means Bharat Natyam. She says, "Although Hinduism is
polytheistic, I have given a special pedestal for the Lord Shiva as the
King of Dance, Lord Natraja, because I am a Bharata Natyam dancer.
Hinduism intertwines religion, culture and the arts such that one cannot
fully be separated from another. I have learned a great deal about
Hinduism from learning dance. The stories are so meaningful, the
stotras so powerful, the images created so idyllic that they can be set
to a melody and then set to Bharata Natyam ... Hinduism is full of
sacred symbols, each transcending the calm, tranquil aura that the
stotras create and philosophies seek."
Anu Singla, of the two first place winners of the HSC Middle School
Essay Contest wrote, "I am proud to be Hindu because of respect for my
parents, respect for the world around me and respect for myself. If
everyone in society could learn to have such respect, our world would be
a much better place to live."
Deepti Nayan Sharma, one of the two first place winners of the HSC
Middle School Essay Contest explained why she was proud to be a Hindu.
She said, "Hinduism has survived through thousands of generations even
when India was taken apart by different religious groups. There is
freedom and variety in Hinduism. It is not monotonous. In fact there
can be as many paths to God as there are individuals. Each person has
to find the right path for him or her. Because of this, and all the
other qualities that I have mentioned, I am proud to be Hindu."
In the HSC Elementary School Art Contest, students had to draw a picture
on 8 1/2" by 11" paper on the topic INDIA and/or HINDUISM.
Bella Goyal, first place winner of the HSC Elementary School Art Contest
drew a map of India surrounded by pictures of a peacock, elephant,
swastik, mangos, and a cup of tea.
Niman Singh, the second place winner of the HSC Elementary School Art
Contest drew a picture of Lord Siva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesh, and a
lingam.
Monika Mazumder, one of the third place winners of the HSC Elementary
School Art Contest drew a picture of a Rsi meditating in a forest.
Gautham Sridharan, the other third place winner of the HSC Elementary
School Art Contest drew a picture of Lord Hanuman.
On Monday Jan. 23, Swami Tadatmananda held a meditation workshop
attended by 35 people. Following that, Ema Stefanova, a yoga teacher
from Ann Arbor, held a workshop on yoga.
On Tuesday Jan. 24, Mr. Dennis Bowman of Ann Arbor, led a satsang/bhajan
session attended by 20 people. For two hours, various chants and
bhajans were sung accompanied by many Indian instruments.
The program for Wednesday Jan. 25 was a presentation on Hindu
Contributions to the World. The achievements of Hindus in philosophy,
religion, science, technology, medicine, language, literature, and fine
arts were presented. Hindu contributions to other parts of the world
and great Hindu leaders were also discussed. Siva Hota (a member of the
HSC National Coordination Council and graduate student), who presented
along with Mihir Meghani, exclaimed, "This was a great opportunity for
many students on campus to get together and to find out more about the
Hindu and Indian philosophical, technological, and artistic
contributions to the world! Those who attended were very receptive and
inquisitive to know more about heritage."
To celebrate Republic Day, on Thursday Jan. 26, HSC showed the film
"GANDHI." Over 25 members of the university community attending this
free showing.
On Friday Jan. 27, HSC held a Mehndi/Dance/Music workshop to teach
people raas/garba/bhangra and mehndi.
Hindu Heritage Week celebrations concluded with a raas/garba/bhangra on
Saturday Jan. 27.
Pramod Sanghi, a graduate student and one of the original founders of
the UMich chapter of HSC said, "Hindu Heritage week organized and
sponsored by the Hindu Students Council was an excellent way to
celebrate our heritage and create an awareness amongst Hindus! We have
achieved what no other organization has on this campus! In addition,
the wide variety of programs held display the richness and vastness of
our Hindu culture and dharma!"
For more information about HSC, please call 617-227-3023. For
information about HSC activities at the University of Michigan call
313-995-3097, or write to 1233 Island Dr #204, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Email hsc@umcc.umich.edu.
HSC is the international forum providing opportunities to learn about
Hindu heritage.
