Friends of HUA Gala” in Houston on March 26, 2023
Dr Kanniks Kannikeswaran & his musical ensemble delivered a scintillating performance at HUA Houston Gala
Hindu University of America (HUA) in association with Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) hosted a Friends of HUA Gala evening on 26 March 2023, at VPSS Haveli, Houston. The gala, which was attended by about 500 community members, honored Kiran and Ramesh Bhutada and their family for their generous gift of one million dollars to HUA. Ramesh Bhutada, CEO of Star Pipe Products, is a successful Houston-based businessman and philanthropist.
The Gala opened with the auspicious lighting of the lamp followed by a scintillating music performance by HUA faculty Dr Kanniks Kannikeswaran. His ensemble of Hindu classical singers accompanied by western music instrumentalists set the tone for the evening. He engaged the audience by having them hum along as well as sing some of the lyrics. His performance received a standing ovation.
This was followed by a short video on HUA’s courses and programs, as well as the experiences of students and faculty. Chairman of the HUA Board and Padma Bhushan awardee Ved Nanda and HUA President Kalyan Viswanathan spoke about the rejuvenation of HUA, its current state, and future roadmap. Houston-based faculty members Dr. Raj Vedam and Chandra Raghu shared their thoughts as well.
Sri Ramesh Bhutada Speaks at Friends of HUA Houston Gala
The evening’s highlight was Ramesh Bhutada’s address where he shared why he chose to support HUA. Despite being born and raised in a traditional Hindu family and a member of several prominent Hindu organizations and traditions, he stated that he “did not really understand the essence of Hindu Dharma.” It took him 60 years to recognize the silver spoon that he was born with, that is, to understand the true essence of Hindu Dharma “which teaches us how to live in harmony within ourselves, with our family, friends, colleagues, and with the entire world. Other universities may impart knowledge for students to earn a livelihood. Only an institution like HUA can impart Hindu knowledge that teaches a student how to live their life.”
Stressing the fact that he did not want the next generation of Hindus to take as long as he did, Ramesh Bhutada urged the attendees to support HUA so that the youth of today and tomorrow can gain the knowledge and understanding of Hinduism much earlier in life, enabling them to live happy, productive lives for themselves and for the benefit of the entire world.
Drawing on his personal experiences as well as narratives from the Hindu American community, Ramesh Bhutada noted that the traditional Hindu upbringing and teachings about Hinduism within the family and home environment alone is not sufficient. Knowledge, he underlined, imparted by established educational institutions in the modern academic setting is critical to ensure the younger generations understand and apply Hinduism in their lives.
HUA Board members from L to R
HUA President Kalyan Viswanathan also called on all the attendees to “come together to build a Hindu university that lasts a 1000 years just like the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur which has stood strong for over 1000 years, or like the Nalanda University that was a beacon to the world for 1700 years before it was destroyed.” He further shared that “over the next five years, HUA aspired to become self-sustaining, and establish itself as a shared platform for all Hindu traditions and organizations to offer their teachings.”
Audience of over 500 people mesmerized by Dr Kanniks & his musical ensemble at HUA Houston Gala
Proclaiming that the institution belongs to the entire Hindu community, HUA Chairman Ved Nanda stated that HUA “will seek to become an authoritative voice in the academic domain for all matters pertaining to Hindu Dharma, not only in the United States, but also globally.” He invited friends and well-wishers from all Hindu-American organizations, community leaders and members to support HUA’s efforts in becoming a leading hub for Hindu knowledge and learning.
Other remarks included well known Houston-based Physicist and Yoga Instructor Robert Boustany who stated that the “awareness dinner of HUA highlighted the necessity of all our seva in developing an educational system true to the deepest history of India in order to preserve that wisdom and value for our children and grandchildren” Chairman of HGH Board of Advisors Rasesh Dalal said, “Hindus can work wonders when they work diligently with unity. The success of the HUA event is a live example!” Emcee Ahimsa Yukta, a freshman at University of Texas, Dallas, said that HUA’s motto – “That is knowledge which liberates”, was so inspiring that he was motivated to take a course at the university.
Volunteer support was provided by members of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Houston.
About Hindu University of America (HUA)
Hindu University of America was founded with the vision of promoting dialogue across disciplines, cultures and civilizations while enabling self-discovery, conscious evolution, and harmony. Its mission is to provide education in knowledge systems based in Hindu thought involving critical inquiry, ethics, and self-reflection. Committed to fostering the culture and traditions of Hindu Dharma in an atmosphere of academic excellence and freedom, it prepares students for service, leadership, and global engagement.
Since Oct 2019, more than 2600 students have taken courses at HUA and close to 75 students are currently enrolled in Masters’ and Doctoral programs. HUA offers 15 different continuing education programs with over 150 courses taught by more than 70 faculty members. The motto of HUA is that Vidya or true Knowledge is that which liberates.
Established in 1989 and authorized by the Govt of Florida in 1993, HUA has been offering online courses since 2019 in various aspects of Hindu Dharma, tradition, and culture. For more information, please visit www.hua.edu or contact +1-407-205-2118 or email info@hua.edu
You may support and participate in HUA’s mission by going to: http://hua.edu/Houston
Fort Bend Interfaith Community hosts annual Thanksgiving services, with 13 groups and hundreds of attendees
People from a broad range of religious traditions attend the Fort Bend Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at St. Laurence Catholic Church on Monday, Nov. 21. The service celebrated the diversity of Fort Bend County
“We’re all here to give thanks, respect and revere each other and get to know each other a little better, and to pray for peace in the world, in our county, in our family and in our hearts,” the Rev. Drew Wood, pastor at St. Laurence Catholic Church, tells the gathering.
Hindus of Greater Houston perform a short play explaining the lives of Hindu gods Ram and Krishna.
Members of Fort Bend’s Sikh community sing a Punjabi hymn from the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib that says, “People call you by numerous names, but you are one. One cause of everything, and merciful. Thank you for your bounties.”
Despite gloomy weather, warmth prevailed inside the expansive, wood-paneled hall of St. Laurence Catholic Church on Monday night in Sugar Land, where members of Fort Bend County’s many religious communities gathered in love and friendship for an interfaith Thanksgiving service.
“The last one we did was in November of 2019, and we had no idea what was coming three months later,” said St. Laurence’s pastor, the Rev. Drew Wood, as he recalled the hardships that would come with the pandemic. “It’s been painful and very rough on all of us. But it’s three years later and we’re still here; so we have a lot to give thanks for. If you listen to the media, you’ll think there are not many of us who aren’t angry all the time. But I’m not angry, and I don’t think you are, either.”
The first Fort Bend Interfaith Thanksgiving service took place eight years ago. In 2020 and 2021, the event was moved online.
Around 200 people, representing various ages, faiths and backgrounds were present. The program included prayers from different faiths and denominations interspersed with reflections about the importance of giving.
“We adhere to a centuries-old tradition of Shia values that are expressed through a commitment to a search for knowledge and betterment of society,” said Murad Ajani, president of the Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States. “These include embracing pluralism by building bridges of peace and understanding and generously sharing one’s time, talents and material resources to improve the quality of life of the community.”
The official symbol of Unitarian Universalism is a flaming chalice. Betty Johnson, representing the Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Bend, offered the following prayer after lighting a chalice.
“We are people of all ages, who enter this space bringing our joys and concerns. … We light a chalice to symbolize our interdependence and our unity. We mourn and celebrate. We strive for justice and mercy. We sing and pray and listen. We come together to worship.”
Members of Fort Bend’s Sikh community sang a Punjabi hymn from Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism is amongst the youngest of the major world religions. It developed around 500 years ago in India, from the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak.
“I’ve lived in this area for 25 years; so to see all the different cultures and faiths come together is very interesting,” said attendee Nancy Brock, a teacher at Oyster Creek Elementary School. “It’s great to see what my students believe.”
Fort Bend’s Baháʼí community was represented by Ghazaleh Ranjbar from the Baháʼí Faith of Sugar Land and Fort Bend. She shared an extract from the writings of Abdu’l Baha, eldest son of the religion’s founder, Baháʼu’lláh.
“A man must observe and see what is the will of God and act accordingly… Consider how grateful anyone becomes when healed from sickness when treated kindly by another or when a service is rendered by another even though it may be of the least consequence. Physically and spiritually, we are submerged in a sea of God’s favor. He has provided our food, drink, and other requirements.”
The Baháʼí Faith, which teaches unity and essential worth of all religions, was established in the 19th century in Iran and parts of the Middle East.
“Thanksgiving is one of the main attributes in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ,” said Lela Burgess from the Horizon Baptist Church. “’Thank you’ is our password to God’s presence and it’s the key that unlocks miracles. The Bible tells us that whenever we come before God, whatever our purpose or our prayer request, we are always to come with a thankful heart. I only have one regret that it took me so long to learn to be thankful.”
Cantor Renee Waghalter and Jan Poscov from Congregation Beth El shared a prayer for the community written by Rabbi Richard Levy.
“May we gain wisdom in our lives, overflowing like a river with understanding. May our deeds exceed our speech; may we never lift up our hand but to conquer fear and doubt and despair, rise up like Son of God, over all humanity, cause light to go forth over all the lands between the seas in light of the universe with joy, freedom and peace.”
One of the world’s oldest religions, Jainism, was represented by the JBB Jain Society of Houston. Jains are devout vegetarians and pacifists, often covering their face with a cloth mask to avoid inhaling tiny insects.
Practitioners from the Universal Door Meditation Center in Sugar Land illustrated their message with the clear water demonstration, emphasizing that humans are all pure, clear water muddied by worldly desires and influences.
Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH) performed a short play explaining the lives of Hindu gods Ram and Krishna.
“It’s my job to make everybody else attend,” said Vijay Pollod from HGH, one of the organizers. “We reached out to Buddhist and Jain communities and encouraged them to come. The turnout has been great this year.”
“Bringing Hindus together” is the prime purpose of Hindus of Greater Houston
We conduct two very important meetings where all Hindu organizations meet together
Advisory Board members Meeting at Arya Samaj
July 29th 2017
Houston Hindu Leaders Meeting at Ashtalakshmi Temple
Aug 5, 2017
Bhagawad Gita
Chapter 3 Verse 9
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धन: |
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्ग: समाचर || 9||
yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ
tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samāchar
Selfless service to others and diligently work without any attachment to fruits of action is the best way to attain liberation.
our vision
To promote Hindu Solidarity
To provide guidance and function as a support as an umbrella organization protecting the needs of all the Hindus in the Greater Houston area and beyond.
To inspire Hindus the splendor of our convictions and traditions.
To propagate understanding and dispel misinformation about our faith.
To coexist with camaraderie, cooperation and compassion with all factions of other faiths.
To build a strong community that continues to thrive amongst unity in diversity.
To persevere cultural and religious activities of our community.
To provide a platform for all Hindu causes
To serve and nurture Hindu Values
To uphold lofty ideals of Sanatana Dharma, its values and its principles.
OUR PURPOSE
Hindus in America need a forum to forge distinctly an identity and be tightly woven into national fabric of USA. To keep up with the spiritual needs of Hindu community in Houston we have built many Hindu Temples and Institutions that will provide an atmosphere to recreate a religious setting for our next generation. Only through the united effort undertaken by The Hindus of Greater Houston we can help create better awareness of our faith and expel misconception in the main stream and and accomplish enviable legacy of success along with unity of purpose.The richness of Hinduism was introduced by Swami Vivekananda to USA in 1893, bringing the world attention to both tolerance and universal acceptance.
Hindus of Houston diligently will pursue to preserve its pristine purity.
Our Gallery
Youth can have a huge impact about a change in this world, if only they can realize and manifest their own full potential.
Hindus of Greater Houston are doing an exemplary job to promote a sense of service in Youth. I really appreciate their effort.
-Tulsi Gabbard
