HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-28 - Hindu Heritage MonthProclamation
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Patrick Burt
Mayor
HINDU HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, City of Palo Alto, and the nation have been influenced by the extraordinary cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and
religious diversity of its residents; and City of Palo Alto is home to a significant Hindu American population; and
WHEREAS, City of Palo Alto and our nation have greatly benefited from Hindu Americans, especially through the
Vedanta philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature, and community
service; and
WHEREAS, the year 2022 marks the 129th anniversary of when Hinduism was officially introduced to the United States
by Swami Vivekananda at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, IL, and the 122nd anniversary of when he
founded the Vedanta Society in San Francisco, California, in 1900; and
WHEREAS, the first Hindu temple in the United States was built in San Francisco, California, and at the dedication of
the temple on January 7, 1906, it was proclaimed to be the “First Hindu Temple in the Whole Western World”; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans and the Vedanta philosophy have significantly influenced notable intellectuals such as
President John Adams, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, J.D. Salinger, Christopher Isherwood,
Aldous Huxley, Huston Smith, and Joseph Campbell; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans have greatly enriched city of Palo Alto higher education university systems by teaching
numerous students, especially in the academic fields of computer science, engineering, law, planetary science, psychology,
and neuroscience, and a majority of Hindu Americans are in high-skill occupations; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans have also contributed to many of city of Palo Alto economic sectors and have particularly
excelled in the areas of business, law, politics, information technology, medicine, and science; and
WHEREAS, Hindu Americans throughout City of Palo Alto celebrate numerous holidays and festivals, Diwali, which
celebrates the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance; October is the month of festivals and celebrations in
the entire Hindu community across the globe. Hindus of Palo Alto are going to observe all major festivals like Dussehra,
Durga Pooja, Navratri, Karvachauth, and Diwali during the month of October across the City of Palo Alto; and
WHEREAS, we celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of the Hindu American community, including those who live,
work, and play in City of Palo Alto, and
WHEREAS, we recognize Hindu American commitment to civic engagement and how City of Palo Alto has been
enriched by local Hindu temples.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Palo Alto hereby declares the month of October as Hindu Heritage
Month in appreciation of the achievements and contributions made by members of the Hindu community. City of Palo Alto
Council calls upon all residents to celebrate Hindu Americans who have woven the fabric of our country and community and
supports opportunities to learn more about Hindu American history and culture.
Presented: October 28, 2022