Florida News
Hindu American Foundation celebrates 20 years this month
TAMPA GALA SET SEPT. 23
Twenty years ago, an energetic and passionate young Hindu American had an idea. He gathered other like-minded people to start a journey to build an institution serving the growing needs of the millions of Hindus that call America home.
Twenty years ago, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) was born.
Our first decade was filled with a number of major milestones from organizing the first Hindu American Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill to successfully suing California’s State Board of Education for denying the voices of Hindu American parents in the textbook review process on India and Hinduism. We helped get Diwali recognized by Congress and launched a Congressional Internship program for Hindu American college students. We hit the mainstream press in 2010 and 2011 with our Take Back Yoga campaign, which highlighted the Hindu roots of yoga. And we gave a voice to Hindu minorities worldwide that face a litany of human rights abuses.
In our second decade, we forged new paths. Through our Hinduism 101 training program, we’ve improved the understanding of Hinduism to almost 100,000 teachers and students collectively. Our Dharma Ambassadors program for the community has graduated over 2000 individuals, who are now better equipped to talk about Hinduism with their peers, at interfaith gatherings, and in the workplace. We also support thousands of Pakistani Hindu refugees in India with vital medical aid.
Every day, we help Hindu Americans – from ensuring our kids get excused school absences for religious ceremonies to protecting families’ rights to display swastikas and torans on their property.
Join us for dinner at our Annual Tampa Gala at India Cultural Center on Saturday, Sept. 23. It’s going to be an evening like you’ve never experienced before with a Hindu Whodunnit Mystery Game. Purchase your tickets at myhaf.org/tampagalaSwami MukundanaNda conducts Life Transformation Program in Tampa
Story provided by JKYog
Hundreds of people from all over Florida participated in the Life Transformation Program with Swami Mukundananda July 17-21 in Tampa.
The five-day long lecture series was based on the bestseller "Golden Rules for Living Your Best Life" by Swami Mukundananda. Attendees received a comprehensive framework for personal growth. Swamiji's discourses have equipped the devotees and seekers with gems of wisdom to make their life fulfilling, delightful and successful.
During multiple kirtan sessions of the LTP program at the Hindu Temple of Florida, the atmosphere was elevated with soul-stirring kirtans led by Swamiji. Participants sang and danced along with Swamiji as they all immersed themselves in the bliss of God.
A Meet and Greet opportunity with Swami Mukundananda were held each day, as attendees lined up to connect with Swamiji, get autographed copies of Swamiji’s books and take memorable photographs.
Many gathered for refreshing morning nature walks with revered Swamiji every day, followed by Satsang and breakfast. Swamiji graciously addressed questions.
KHAASBAAT.COM WEB SITE, EBLASTS, SPONSORSHIP AND MORE!
By NITISH S. RELE and SHEPHALI J. RELE
In this digital age, it bears no repetition that newspapers are a dying breed. A report by Northwestern University reveals that two newspapers are folded every week. As we steadily march toward our 19-year anniversary (printing monthly since August 2004 without skipping an issue), here are some thoughts for our readers.
Since the onset of Covid, Khaas Baat has been available in its entirety in PDF format at khaasbaat.com for everyone, free of charge. If you would like to receive our weekly emails, let us know at [email protected] And if you want home/office delivery, please fill out the subscription form on page two. Despite rising printing and mailing costs, we will continue to publish Khaas Baat. But we will need sponsors and your support moving forward to make that happen. Checks can be addressed to Khaas Baat, 8312 Windsor Bluff Drive, Tampa, FL 33647. Payment can also be made via PayPal to PP ID:[email protected]