California State Assembly member Ash Kalra recently introduced a resolution to recognize October as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month in the state. The resolution stated that this measure would also recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of Hindu heritage to the state and seek to increase awareness and understanding of the Hindu-American community.

In 2013, the Hindu American Foundation collaborated with Ash Kalra to initiate the drafting of a bill that would officially acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of Hindu Americans thereby introducing a resolution called Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. This resolution marked the first state-wide recognition of the significant contributions made by the Hindu-American community.

The recently introduced resolution highlighted that approximately 2,230,000 Hindu Americans live in the United States and California is home to the largest Hindu American population in the country. They include individuals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other nations. It also acknowledges the contributions of Hindu Americans including the Vedanta philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature, and community service.

“HAF congratulates Assemblymember Ash Kalra for once again speaking up for the contributions of the Hindu American community in California, as well as highlighting the challenges being faced by the community, such as misunderstanding of our sacred symbols such as the swastika, immigration issues disproportionately affecting our community, and the rise of Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu hate crimes, and bullying of Hindu students. As we have for the past decade we are grateful that October will again be recognized as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month,” said HAF Managing Director Samir Kalra.