Harmony News: California Declares October as Hindu American Awareness Month
GFCH (India)
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Sacramento, CA (June 25, 2013) -- "California and our nation have greatly benefited by Hindu Americans, especially through yoga, meditation, Vedanta philosophy, ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian music, art, and dance..."
In a historic moment for Hindu Americans yesterday, the California State Senate unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 32): California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. Introduced by State Senate Majority Leader, Ellen Corbett (10th Senate District), SCR 32 designates October 2013 as California Hindu American and Appreciation Month and "recognize[s] and acknowledge[s] the significant contributions made by Californians of Hindu heritage to the state."
Majority Leader Corbett, who is widely recognized for her support of the Hindu American community, worked closely with the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) in drafting the language of the resolution.
"As the Senator representing the 10th State Senate District, I am honored to represent constituents from many diverse backgrounds, including a significant number of Hindu Americans," said Majority Leader Corbett. "California is home to a thriving community of over 370,000 Hindu Americans that enrich our state's diversity and professional assets in fields as diverse as academia, science, technology, business, arts and literature. I thank my colleagues for supporting SCR 32 today that recognizes Hindu American contributions in California, as well as designates October 2013 in their honor."
The unanimous passage of SCR 32 was celebrated by an HAF delegation of more than 70 Hindu Americans that travelled to the State Capitol from various parts of the state.
The delegation was present in the Senate Gallery to witness the historic vote, while HAF's Director/Senior Human Rights Fellow, Samir Kalra, Esq. and Executive Council Member, Vineet Sharma, M.D., were presented with a commemorative version of the resolution on the Senate floor. Kalra and Sharma were joined on the Senate floor by local Hindu American elected officials, including San Jose City Council Member Ash Kalra, Fremont Vice-Mayor Anu Natarajan, Fremont City Council Member Raj Salwan, and Union Sanitary Board Vice President Anjali Lathi.
"We are extremely grateful to Senate Majority Leader Corbett for spearheading SCR 32 and the State Senate for unanimously passing the resolution, which will go a long way to raising awareness and understanding about the Hindu American community and our beliefs," said Sharma. "Senator Corbett has been a consistent friend and advocate of the community, and we look forward to continuing to work with her going forward."
The resolution also received the support of 55 non-governmental organizations, interfaith leaders, civil rights activists, and community leaders from across the country, who previously wrote to all State Senators urging them to pass SCR 32.
Following the vote, HAF hosted a reception on the north steps of the Capitol, where Senator Corbett, along with Assembly Member Bob Wieckowski (25th Assembly District), Congressional candidate Ro Khanna, and the Hindu American elected officials in attendance addressed the crowd and praised the Hindu American community.
The Foundation plans to commemorate California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month in October with several events throughout the state. |