Fitness and wellness startup Portl has raised a $3 million funding round led by Bharat Innovation Fund with participation from existing investor Kalaari Capital and new investor T-Hub Foundation, the company announced on Thursday. Portl said it would deploy the capital to accelerate the companys product development, expand into the market, and improve its AI systems.

Established in March 2021 by Indraneel Gupta, Vishal Chandapeta, and Aramaan Kandhari, Portl offers an interactive fitness screen with a high-resolution multi-touch LCD display that enables real-time form correction and customized workouts apart from on-demand and live workouts.

Speaking on the fundraising, Portls Founder and CEO Indraneel Gupta said, By integrating advanced AI and innovative hardware, we aim to empower individuals to achieve their wellness goals seamlessly and effectively, delivering personalized experiences at scale and afford people the opportunity to adopt healthier lifestyles with ease.

The company uses its proprietary AI personalization engine, which provides users with customized workout plans that adapt to their fitness levels, daily performance and preferences in real-time, the company said.

Despite its drop off from the peaks in 2021, the home fitness segment continues to excite us. Portls advanced AI technology provides form feedback across a variety of personalised fitness regimes, including Yoga, HIIT, Dance etc, said Ashwin Raguraman, Founding Partner, Bharat Innovation Fund.

India s health and fitness market is expected to grow from $19.24 million in 2022 to $31.97 million by 2027, at an annual growth rate of 11.57 per cent, as per data from statistics portal Statista.

Vamshi Reddy, Partner at Kalaari Capital, said, We are delighted to announce our involvement in Portls transformative journey, as they harness the power of AI and strength products to enhance their offerings. With their innovative approach and commitment to excellence, we believe Portl is ideally positioned to become a trailblazer and market leader in this exciting and rapidly evolving space.

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Fitness startup Portl raises $3 million from Bharat Innovation Fund, Kalaari Capital, T-Hub Foundation - The Financial Express

The Hasht-e Subh Daily has been continuously active for the past eighteen years with the slogan Reflecting Yesterday, Mirroring Today, and Heralding Tomorrow. This newspaper has earned a reputable position by supporting democratic institutions, strengthening human values, and echoing the peoples voice through its news, investigative, and analytical approach. After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Hasht-e Subh Daily continued its operations in exile despite numerous challenges, striving to provide accurate information and amplify the voices of the people of Afghanistan. Since its inception, the newspaper has published over 120 investigative reports and thousands of analytical articles covering various aspects of social, political, economic, cultural, artistic, and sports life. Currently, Hasht-e Subh Daily operates in Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, and English, with over three and a half million followers on social media.

The Hasht-e Subh Daily was founded eighteen years ago in May 2007 by a group of prominent journalists and human rights activists. Since its establishment, it has tirelessly worked to promote democracy and the growth of political and civil movements to strengthen human rights values through its news, analytical, and investigative approach.

The newspaper began its media operations under the ownership of Sanjar Sohail and the editorship of Muhammad Qasim Akhgar, a distinguished intellectual and freedom fighter in the country.

In his first editorial for Hasht-e Subh Daily, Mr. Akhgar stated: We speak of the morning and hum the song of today and tomorrow, for even a false dawn heralds the end of night and the rise of tomorrow. Another part of this text reads: On this basis, Hasht-e Subh (8 AM) is a call to move towards the morning, an invitation for a new beginning. Hasht-e Subh is a wake-up call, for it is with awakening that one can welcome the morning, and for those who are asleep, the morning holds no meaning. Hasht-e Subh marks the start of work and the opening of doors that are closed at night.

The Hasht-e Subh Daily, recognized as Afghanistans most reputable print newspaper, has published over 120 investigative reports in various fields over the past two decades. These reports have elicited widespread reactions from the public and former government officials at the time of their release. Even after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, the newspaper has remained steadfast in its investigative efforts, continuing to publish its investigative reports with renewed determination. In nearly the past three years, Hasht-e Subh Daily has released 24 investigative reports, primarily focusing on widespread human rights violations by the Taliban. These reports have covered issues such as the condition of prisoners, especially female inmates, the execution of civilians and former military personnel, vigilante justice, extensive administrative and financial corruption, drug trafficking, and the Talibans support of terrorist groups. These reports have provoked both domestic and international responses.

The United States Department of State referenced one of Hasht-e Subh Dailys investigative reports on the status of female prisoners in three northern provinces of Afghanistan in its annual human rights report this year, which sparked a wide range of reactions both within and outside Afghanistan.

Additionally, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan, and officials from several other organizations have engaged closely with Hasht-e Subh Daily regarding its investigative reports, sharing the findings with international bodies. Some of Hasht-e Subh Dailys investigative reports have also been examined by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Currently, in addition to publishing in Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, and English, Hasht-e Subh Daily produces two podcasts named Womens Word and Civil Dialogues. The Womens Word podcast focuses on issues and narratives related to women, while Civil Dialogues broadcasts recordings of the newspapers weekly Twitter Spaces discussions. Furthermore, Hasht-e Subh Daily publishes a weekly magazine that is distributed in Canada.

The Hasht-e Subh Daily has established a research unit, and its readers will soon witness the publication of research articles in various fields. Additionally, since last year, the newspapers visual media production department has been active.

Over the years, the Hasht-e Subh Daily and its journalists have received numerous prestigious national and international awards. In 2012, Reporters Without Borders awarded the global Press Freedom prize to Hasht-e Subh Daily.

The East-West Center (EWC) awarded the Journalist of Courage and Impact to Parwiz Kawa, the Executive Director of Hasht-e Subh Daily, in 2018 and 2022. Moreover, in 2023, Hasht-e Subh Daily, along with Amu TV and Etilaatroz, received the Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). In the same year, the newspaper jointly won the Emmy Award with The New York Times.

Additionally, the newspapers journalists, especially Akbar Rustami, received the Journalist of the Year award continuously from 2012 to 2016, given annually by the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) for impactful investigative reports.

Asyia Hamzaie, a journalist for Hasht-e Subh Daily, won the Journalist of the Year award in 2020. Hasib Bahesh, the former editor-in-chief, received the award in 2022, and Amin Kawa, the senior editor and chief reporter, was honored with the Journalist of the Year award in 2023.

Throughout this period, Hasht-e Subh Daily has unwaveringly continued its mission to promote human rights values, strengthen freedom of expression, and support the free flow of information. Currently, it serves as a crucial news source for Afghanistan, providing daily reports and analyses on the current situation in Afghanistan, the region, and the world. A dedicated and mission-driven team of journalists in exile tirelessly operates under the banner of Reflecting Yesterday, Mirroring Today, and Heralding Tomorrow.

Ferdows Kawish, a former editor-in-chief of the Hasht-e Subh Daily and a prominent journalist in the country, comments on the past and present achievements of the newspaper: Hasht-e Subh Daily has consistently focused on supporting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It has worked tirelessly to promote democratic accountability, control over power, and the establishment of individual rights and governance. This dedication has always been a hallmark of Hasht-e Subh Daily.

Due to its steadfast commitment to promoting democracy, the rule of law, and democratic processes, and exposing the extensive human rights violations by the Taliban, the newspaper has faced severe pressure and threats from the group.

In October 2022, the Taliban shut down the Hasht-e Subh Dailys website, 8am.af, and in January 2023, they issued arrest warrants for its executives and staff. Nevertheless, Hasht-e Subh Daily, committed to independent journalism, has continued its unbiased reporting under a new domain (8am.media).

The newspapers audience also praises its efforts to uphold human rights values, strengthen freedom of expression, and promote investigative journalism. They believe that one of Hasht-e Subh Dailys most significant strengths is its relentless reflection of realities and support for democratic processes.

One of the protesting women, currently living under Taliban rule and a regular reader of the Hasht-e Subh Daily, shares her view: During the Talibans control, Hasht-e Subh Daily has been the resounding voice for women, girls, and all citizens who have been marginalized by the Taliban. It is a source of accurate information and a beacon of hope for women and girls. We sincerely appreciate this media outlet for publishing the perspectives of women and all citizens.

Ahmad Ferdows, a student in Kabul, says, The state of information dissemination here [in Kabul] is not good. I eagerly read the investigative and analytical articles of the Hasht-e Subh Daily and aspire to write articles that could be published by this media outlet. It would be a source of pride for me. We value the work of Hasht-e Subh Daily during this time, as it continues to enlighten and inform.

Currently, Hasht-e Subh Daily, with 3.6 million followers on social media, is one of the most widely followed media outlets in Afghanistan. After the country fell to the Taliban, the newspapers print edition was halted, and its activities have continued online, through a weekly magazine and podcasts.

Before the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, Hasht-e Subh Daily was printed and distributed simultaneously in more than ten cities across the country. During the previous government, it was printed in the provinces of Kabul, Herat, Balkh, and Kunduz and then distributed in the provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Ghazni, and Bamyan.

Hasht-e Subh Daily has consistently emphasized its commitment to independent and professional journalism, aiming to provide unbiased coverage of events and reflect the opinions of the people. It asserts that no repressive actions by the Taliban or other extremist groups can silence this media outlet, which strives for freedom of expression and the free flow of information.

You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:

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Eighteen Years of Hasht-e Subh Daily: Uninterrupted Enlightenment and Information - Hasht-e Subh - Hasht-e Subh Daily

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Buddhism is most commonly associated with the Chinese population in Singapore, but did you know there are also Sri Lankan Buddhists? Join our writer as she explores the perspective of a highly specific community in Singapore.

Something I think most people dont realise is that all our life experiences are very much our own, and hence special. That song by Taylor Swift that I love could be considered banal and pandering to the next person. From the moment we are born, to our last breath on our death bed, we go through vastly different and infinitely unique experiences.

This is why, personally, I find that learning about peoples experiences to be extremely interesting. With each story retold, I am one step closer to understanding your completely unique experience, and my best friends experience of being a Sinhalese Buddhist was sure to be unique.

You might be wondering, why would I be interested in this? With Vesak Day upon us, I started to think about how Buddhism was mainly associated with people of Chinese ethnicity 98% of Buddhists in Singapore are ethnically Chinese.

Bhanuka and his family are Sinhalese Singaporeans. Sinhalese people make up only 0.3% of the population in Singapore. Apart from being family-oriented, he is a proud Buddhist who was eager to share his experiences with me. I was on the cusp of learning something exciting and personal to a highly specific community. But first, I had to learn a thing or two about Buddhism.

Buddhists believe that human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but that if one achieves a state of enlightenment (nirvana), it is possible to escape this cycle forever. There are three main schools of Buddhism: Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. Bhanukas family practises the Theravada subset of Buddhism.

Vesak Day is very significant for Buddhists it is the day Buddha is born, enlightened and died. Buddha was, according to legend, a Hindu prince who renounced his status and riches to seek enlightenment. He is attributed to have founded Buddhism in India in the 6th-5th centuries BCE.

In preparation for Vesak Day, it is customary in Sri Lanka to make Vesak lanterns at home. Lanterns are traditionally made of wooden sticks and paper, but the more creative Buddhists will use glue guns to design more complex lanterns.

Vesak Day starts early for Bhanukas family. They get up and eat a traditional Sinhalese breakfast consisting of kiribath (coconut rice), sambol (spicy onions) and kavum (oil cakes). On this day, only vegetarian food can be consumed animal by-products cannot be eaten either e.g. eggs, cheese, milk.

Bringing lotus flowers and bananas bought the previous day and donned in white, they drive to Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple. On arrival, they leave their food offerings with the resident monks and proceed to make their rounds making offerings, relighting candles and offering joss sticks at the various altars. At each of the altars, you will find Buddha statues. A prayer is usually said when making offerings.

His family typically spends an hour at the temple, but many of the visitors spend their day there, listening to the monks giving their lessons and enjoying the food cooked by volunteers. These volunteers cook traditional Sinhalese food, not unlike the breakfast Bhanuka and his family partake in.

When Bhanuka leaves the temple, he feels a little lighter like the weight of the world has lessened on his shoulders. He feels a little closer to something divine.

What can we learn from Bhanukas experience?

To me, I learnt something new about my friend another significant facet of his identity. I had a vested interest in his story.

But what about you, my reader? Why should you care?

Bhanukas experience is that of a minority in Singapore. Stories like this matter because we live among these minorities, and they are just as much a part of the wider Singaporean community as the majority. And their experiences matter: they are just as important, even if they arent spoken about often.

The question, Does discrimination against minorities still exist in Singapore? remains relevant in the Singaporean context, seeing that our culture is a mishmash of cultures of the different races and religions here. It is my belief that though we have come a long away in terms of racial and religious inclusivity and harmony, there are still ways to go. There is still suffering today among minorities.

By learning about Bhanukas family, and the practices of his religion specific to the Sinhalese culture, we have taken tangible steps to educate ourselves about a minority group. In other words, we are enlightened.

Buddhist beliefs focus on ones own suffering and enlightenment. By achieving enlightenment, one can escape suffering.

This Vesak Day, I invite you to think about the suffering of others, and how they may one day escape it. I believe the enlightenment of the majority is instrumental to this escape of suffering of the minority. By learning, we understand. By understanding, we empathise. Maybe one day, we can be close to something divine: a world where suffering is no more. One day, we will be greater.

Excerpt from:
Can We Escape Suffering With Enlightenment? - A Vesak Day Perspective - The Pride by Singapore Kindness Movement

Buddha Purnima, or Vesak, is one of the most important days for Buddhists all over the world. Why? Because it is the day when Gautama Buddha was born. Vesak or Buddha Purnima celebrates and marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Buddha Purnima usually falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (April or May according to the Gregorian calendar), and is a day of spiritual and religious importance. This year, Buddha Purnima or Vesak will be observed and celebrated on May 22, Thursday. History of Buddha Purnima Buddha Purnima has its roots in ancient India, and it is said that Buddhism originated over 2500 years ago. Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who was supposed to be the King overlooking a kingdom decided to renounce everything worldly and later became known as Buddha. He was born in Lumbini in Nepal and was a prince of the Shakya clan. See more: Happy Buddha Purnima 2024: Top 50 Wishes, Messages and Quotes to share with your loved ones It is believed that while as a prince he was very protected and shielded from the sins and suffering that occurred outside, one day, at the age of 29, when he went out of the palace, he for the very first time saw the harsh realities of life. The shielded prince saw the brutal old age, sickness, and death. And it was these sights that troubled Siddhartha deeply. Seeing how inevitable death and suffering are, he renounced his royal luxuries, riches, and life, and headed out in search of truth and the meaning of existence. And then, after years of rigorous ascetic practices and meditation, a protected Prince attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. And then he became the Buddha, which means The Enlightened One. After he became the Enlightened One, Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Dharma, the path to enlightenment, and the Middle Way, which is a balanced approach to life between asceticism and vain living. Importance of Buddha Purnima To both Hindus and Buddhists all around the world, Buddha Purnima is a very important day. Buddha Purnima marks the core events of Buddha's life: his birth, enlightenment, and death or Parinirvana. Birth of Buddha The birth of Buddha is said to be the arrival of a great change in how people saw spirituality and religion, and the arrival of a great spiritual leader whose teachings inspire millions of people even today. The enlightenment Buddha's enlightenment is a symbol of the potential people hold to change their lives for the better. From a prince who had access to all the worldly riches, to a monk who taught the world ethical living and Noble truths, it was Buddhas enlightenment that helped him and others attain wisdom and liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. See more: Happy Buddha Purnima 2024: Best Messages, Quotes, Wishes and Images to share on Buddha Purnima Parinirvana Buddhas death was seen as his means of attaining the final Nirvana or Parinirvana. His passing signified the transient nature of life and the importance of living and working towards enlightenment. The day of Wesak, or Buddha Purnima, is like a reminder for people about Buddhas teachings, his ethics, and the core principles of life that he laid down - compassion, non-violence, and the pursuit of wisdom. How is Buddha Purnima celebrated? The Buddha Purnima celebrations are not limited to a certain part of the globe but are majorly done in Asia. And while there isn't much pomp and show with the celebrations, in recent years people have started taking out enormous chariots with statue of Buddha on them. But, the ancient celebrations include - Prayers and chanting Buddhists and followers come together in temples to offer prayers, chant scriptures, and listen to sermons on Buddha's teachings. The day begins with early morning prayers and also ends with it. Meditations In the temples dedicated to Buddha, meditation sessions are held, which allow people from all religions and walks of life. These meditation sessions allow people to sit, relax, and reflect on their actions and see how well they have adhered to the principles put forward by the Buddha. Rituals followed Buddha Purnima does not include any elaborate or extravagant rituals and they go against the teachings of Buddhism. So, there are some low-key rituals with offerings of flowers, incense, candles, fruits, and the like. Donation and charity Following Buddha's teachings of compassion, many Buddhists also do charitable activities on Buddha Purnima. This includes donating to the needy, organising bhojans (free meals for the poor and needy), and participating in volunteering. Quotes by Buddha A very important part of teachings and wisdom is words. Buddha's words are a part of his teachings and the enlightenment and message he wanted to give to people. Here we mention some of the most powerful and meaningful quotes by Buddha. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. The mind is everything. What you think you become. Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. Peace comes from understanding and accepting that which is. However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts and made up of our thoughts. If a man speak or act with an evil thought, suffering follows him as the wheel follows the hoof of the beast that draws the wagon.... If a man speak or act with a good thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

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Buddha Purnima 2024: History, Importance, Celebration, Quotes of Budhha - The Times of India

Buddha Purnima 2024: Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Lord Buddha. This auspicious day is a time for reflection, compassion, and spreading love. Whether youre seeking heartfelt wishes, inspiring messages, or spiritual quotes to share with loved ones, our article offers a collection to help you honour the teachings of Buddha and spread positivity and peace.

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Happy Buddha Purnima 2024!

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Buddha Purnima 2024: 45+ Images, Quotes, Wishes, Messages to Share on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram Status and Stories - Jagran Josh

Vesak, also known as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Day, is the most sacred day for millions of Buddhists around the world. It is a day that commemorates three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and his passing away (Parinirvana).

In the year 623 B.C., on the Day of Vesak, the Buddha was born. It was on this same auspicious day that he attained enlightenment after years of spiritual seeking, and it was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha, at the age of 80, passed away.

Recognizing the immense contribution of Buddhism to the spiritual well-being of humanity for over two and a half millennia, the United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution 54/115 in 1999, internationally recognized the Day of Vesak. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices, in consultation with relevant UN offices and permanent missions.

The teachings of the Buddha and his message of compassion, peace, and goodwill have inspired millions of people worldwide. On the Day of Vesak, Buddhists around the globe commemorate these profound teachings and the life of the enlightened one.

In a world grappling with complexities and conflicts, the Buddhas philosophy of transcending national and international differences is essential. As Javier Perez de Cuellar noted, Peace, understanding and a vision of humanity that supersedes national and other international differences are essential if we are to cope with the complexities of the nuclear age.

This philosophy lies at the heart of the United Nations Charter and should guide our thoughts and actions, especially during times of global significance.

On the Day of Vesak, let us celebrate the timeless wisdom of the Buddha and his teachings of compassion, peace, and unity, which have the power to uplift humanity and foster a more harmonious world.

Link:
Vesak 2024: Celebrating the Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing of the Buddha - Adda247

Buddha Purnima 2024: Commemorating Birth, Enlightenment, Death Of Gautama Buddha

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Day, marks the birth of Prince Siddharta Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha; and founded Buddhism. The festival marks the birth, enlightenment and death ,of Gautama Buddha and is celebrated by the Buddhist community across the country as well as in countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. The festival holds special importance and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.

The date of the festival typically falls in the month of April or May. This is because the exact date is based on the Asian lunisolar calendars. If it is a leap year, the festival falls in the month of June.

Buddha Purnima is a significant festival in the Buddhist tradition, observed across South, Southeast, and East Asia. It commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and archaeological findings, Gautama Buddha was born around 563-483 BCE in Lumbini, Nepal. His mother, Queen Maya Devi gave birth to him during a journey to her ancestral home, while his father was King uddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, along with its surrounding gardens and an Ashoka Pillar dating back to 249 BCE, marks the site of Buddha's birth in Lumbini.

The exact year of Buddha's birthday is based on the Sri Lankan convention, while several Asian lunisolar calendars ascribe to different lunar days. The date for the celebration of Buddha's birthday therefore varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but it is usually celebrated in either April or May. During leap years, the birthday may be celebrated in June.

Grand procession held in Bodh Gaya on the occasion of Buddha Purnima

Grand procession held in Bodh Gaya on the occasion of Buddha PurnimaGaya. On the auspicious occasion of the 2,568th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, a grand procession was held in the land of knowledge Bodh Gaya in the Gaya district of the state of Bihar todays morning. The thousands of devotees from different states and countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Tibet, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bhutan were gathered for the grand event in Bodh Gaya. The attraction point of the procession was the devotees were carrying the Panchsheel flag along with chanting the slogan of 'Buddham Sharanam Gachchami'. Along with the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, the devotees were also observing Trividh Jayanti. This day is significant as it marks three important events: Lord Buddha's birth, his enlightenment, and his Mahaparinirvana, all of these are believed to have occurred on Vaishakh Purnima.

A large crowd assembled on both sides of the roads to witness the grand procession, which traveled various points before concluding at the Mahabodhi Temple, a World Heritage Site. The journey commenced near the impressive 80-feet-tall statue of Lord Buddha.

Devotees take dip in Ganga at Har ki Paudi on Buddha Purnima

Thousands of devotees gathered in Haridwar to take a holy dip and offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. The city witnessed a massive influx of worshippers at various Ganga ghats, including the Har ki Pauri.

In a post on X, Uttarakhand Police said, "Today, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima bathing festival, a huge crowd of devotees gathered at all the Ganga ghats including Haridwar Har ki Pauri. Our whole effort is to ensure that people bathe comfortably and in an orderly manner and then proceed to their destinations." Karan Singh Nagnyal, IG, Garhwal Range, reviewed the arrangements at Har ki Pauri ghat on Wednesday in anticipation of the large number of devotees expected to bathe on Buddha Purnima.

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Buddha Purnima 2024: Commemorating Birth, Enlightenment, Death Of Gautama Buddha - Pratidin Time

Gathering hosted by CoHNA comes against the recent introduction of SCR104 condemning Hinduphobia

TRENTON, N.J., May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --More than 15 State Senators and Assembly Members (Democrats and Republicans), attended the first ever Hindu Advocacy Day in New Jersey, hosted by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). New Jersey is home to one of the largest Hindu communities in the US, and the bi-partisan event focused attention on their many contributions to the state across all sectors. Lawmakers also pledged support for the Hindu Heritage Month resolution for New Jersey, which has passed the Assembly and is now making its way to the Senate.

Coming on the heels of the recently introduced resolutionSCR 104, CoHNA's Hindu Advocacy Day also focused on the growing problem of anti-Hindu hate and Hinduphobia. Senator Vin Gopal, the primary sponsor of the bill, joined the event in the middle of a busy senate schedule, recalled how he took his oath on the Bhagavad Gita while being sworn in, and that hate in any form must not be tolerated. He thanked CoHNA for working with his office on the resolution and invited the attendees to the Senate voting session for a special shoutout.

"I am really excited CoHNA got a special shoutout and recognition in the Senate for coming to Trenton and hosting the Advocacy Day and working on the Hinduphobia resolution," said Hitesh Trivedi, CoHNA Board Member and Director of its NJ chapter. "We thank our New Jersey leaders for standing with the Hindu community and engaging in a constructive dialogue. As many of our lawmakers stressed today, it is critically important for Hindus to engage and talk with our elected officials - and a grassroots platform like CoHNA has been the starting ground for so many of us."

FBI data andresearch from universities like Rutgers have documented the growing hate against Hindus in America. The rash of attacks on individuals and on Hindu temples from New York to California has brought the problem home in a most visceral way, traumatizing the community and impacting the ability of some to freely practice their faith.

The gathering was addressed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, all of whom thanked the Hindu community for the scale, depth, and impact of their contributions to their districts, to New Jersey, and to the US as a whole. Others shared their experiences of being part of vibrant Hindu celebrations - be it Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Guru Vandana, or International Yoga Day.

Upendra Chivukula, the first Hindu Assemblymember ever to be elected in New Jersey, shared insights from his decades of experience on why representation matters and how far the community has come. "If we don't ask, others will ask for us. Whoever gets to the lawmakers first will get their attention first," he said, thanking CoHNA for organizing this important day and bringing the community to Trenton to meet public officials.

A Community Effort

A number of Hindu community leaders attended the event and spoke of the important work that CoHNA is doing in representing the community and advocating for the causes that the community cares about and giving Hindus a platform. Speakers at the event explored the many different ways American Hindus can serve and give back to their community.

"I was inspired by the Hindu values I learned while growing up through Bal Vihar camps in Massachusetts and New Jersey," said Cherry Hill CouncilwomanSangeeta Doshi, recalling her decision to run for office.

The NJ Democratic Hindu Caucus Co-chairs, Falguni Pandya and Venu Menon, also talked about why the caucus was formed and how it has been advocating for the Hindu community.

Collaboration between different organizations was also an important theme, where leaders like Dhiren Amin, President of Indian Business Association, Ganesh Ramakrishnan, NJ Communications Coordinator for Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, and community leader Dr.Mukund Thakar highlighted the need to work in tandem to amplify the positive impact on the community in various areas - from political representation and education to serving people regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.

Find pictures and comments from the event on our feed on X formerly known as Twitter.

About CoHNA

CoHNA is a grassroots level advocacy and civil rights organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America by working on matters related to the Hindu community and by educating the public about Hindu heritage and tradition. For more information, please visithttps://cohna.orgor follow us onX(Twitter),Facebook,LinkedInand onInstagram.

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SOURCE Coalition of Hindus of North America

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New Jersey's First Hindu Advocacy Day Draws Bi-partisan Support with Focus on Anti-Hindu Hate - Longview News-Journal

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Mantras be read on May 14 in Bonneville County Commissioners Board in Idaho Falls (Idaho); containing verses from worlds oldest extant scripture.

Rajan Zed will deliver the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures in Bonneville County Commissioners Board. After Sanskrit delivery, he then will read the English interpretation of the prayers. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and the root language of Indo-European languages.

Zed is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism. He will recite from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use; besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He plans to start and end the prayer with Om, the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he proposes to urge county commissioners and others present to keep the welfare of others always in mind.

He has been panelist for On Faith, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post; and produces a weekly multi-faith panel Faith Forum in a Gannett publication for over 13 years.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about 1.2 billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.

Bonneville County was established in 1911.

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Mantras to start the day of Bonneville County Commissioners Board in Idaho 1st time - IndiaPost NewsPaper - IndiaPost.com