Hinduism: Many US states officially declare Oct as “Hindu Heritage Month”
Mukund Patel
Chicago (USA): Several states across America have declared the month of October 2021 as “Hindu Heritage Month” at a time the Indian-American community is preparing for the festive season next month.
American states of Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Georgia, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have officially declared October as Hindu Heritage Month. It is a proud moment for every Indian and Hindu across the world.
These states have issued proclamations. Some other states are also in the process of declaring similarly in the coming days, sources said.
The Mayors of Dallas, Pembroke Pines, and Cincinnati have also issued proclamations declaring October 2021 as Hindu Heritage Month.
More than 30 Dharma-based organizations of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain communities have also issued statements to celebrate October as Hindu Heritage Month.
Normally, the Hindu festivals such as Navaratri, Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali fall in or around October, making this month a special time.
The Hindus, numbering around three million, represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in the United States. The Hindu-Americans have made significant contributions across different fields including science, education, medicine, law, business, and culture.
During the Hindu Heritage Month, the community’s organizations will hold Hindu cultural programs, showcasing the cultural heritage, issues of growing up in dual culture societies, promoting Hindu values at the grassroots level, etc.
Among the existing religions, Hinduism is one of the most ancient, and enduring, as a healthy, spirited, and colorful group of traditions. It draws its life force from tradition and heritage and remains more of an open culture than following a fixed code of conduct.
As a way of life, Hinduism is open, non-violent, inclusive, and tolerant. It is a family of many diverse traditions, each with its own distinction, theology, philosophy, rituals, code of practices, and value system.
Hinduism teaches humanity, equality, and unity in diversity.
