Hindu American Foundation

HAF Diwali Webinar
2020-10-27 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Getting a Diwail resolution passed is a community effort, and HAF is here to help!
HAF’s Dr. Shereen Bhalla and Taniel Koushakjian show how you can bring our soon-to-be-released Diwali Toolkit to your children’s teachers and how to get a Diwali resolution passed in your local city council. We walk you through a drafting resolution, how to approach your city council, and how to follow up.

HAF Dharma Advocates: Federal Policy Update & Advocacy Training Webinar
2020-10-01 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2020 | Time: 9:00 – 10:00 pm ET | Online, anywhere

Join the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) Managing Director Samir Kalra, Esq. and Director of Public Policy Taniel Koushakjian for an introductory and interactive advocacy training webinar with Hindu Americans from across the U.S. In this 60-minute webinar, you will learn:

What’s happening in Washington, DC during the COVID-19 crisis;

Hindu American domestic and foreign policy priorities for 2020;

How to effectively advocate for Hindu American issues; and,

How to use HAF tools and resources to make an impact in your community.

This is your chance to hear directly from HAF’s advocacy experts and public policy influencers who represent the interests of the Hindu American community in our nation’s capital.
Space is limited and Zoom registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the virtual training.
Samir Kalra, Esq., HAF Managing Director, based in the Bay Area, CA, holds a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law. Mr. Kalra leads the Foundation’s human rights and public policy advocacy efforts and has led human rights fact finding missions, served as a panelist at multiple Congressional briefings, and authored formal testimony for Congressional Hearings on human rights, foreign policy, hate crimes, and immigration. He has also led HAF’s textbook reform and Don’t Erase India education campaigns in California, and has testified at California State Assembly and Senate Committee Hearings on Education and Hate Crimes. He previously served on Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) Immigration Advisory Committee. Taniel S. Koushakjian is HAF’s Director of Public Policy, based in Washington, D.C. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University, a M.A. in Political Management from The George Washington University, and a Graduate Certificate in PACs & Political Management from The George Washington University. Prior to joining HAF, Taniel worked as a political consultant and was a candidate for the Palm Beach County Commission. He previously worked as the Grassroots Director and Communications Director of the Armenian Assembly of America where he successfully advocated on a wide array of human rights, international religious freedom, U.S. foreign policy, and appropriations issues. Taniel was selected as a 2018-2019 Fellow with the Anti-Defamation League Glass Leadership Institute, as well as a 2019 Fellow with the James Madison Institute.

HAF Advocacy Forum 2020
2020-09-15 19:30 - 2020-09-16 21:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Tuesday, September 15 & Wednesday September 16 | Time: 7:30-9 pm ET, each day | Online, anywhere

HAF's Education Gala: Hinduism 101 Trivia Night
2020-08-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Sunday, August 9 | Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm ET | Online, anywhere

Are you smarter than a middle-schooler?
Join us for trivia night and find out if you would ace the Hinduism 101 test in middle school.

Students generally start to learn about Hinduism in middle school, which is why HAF targets 6-9th grades when creating new classroom materials and teaching resources.
Hear from our very own Director of Education, Shereen Bhalla, and Managing Director, Samir Kalra, as they discuss how our educational resources are positively impacting American students.
Shereen Bhalla is HAF’s Director of Education based in the Bay Area, CA. Dr. Bhalla holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Drake University, an M.A. in International Relations from St. Mary’s University, and a PhD in Culture, Literacy, and Language from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Prior to joining HAF, she was the Online Education Manager for the Center for Applied Linguistics. An advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse students, Dr. Bhalla has over ten years of experience teaching both English learners as well as pre-and in-service educators on how to best meet the needs of their students. Dr. Bhalla has taught for UTSA, George Washington University, the Inter-Development Bank and Johns Hopkins University. Samir Kalra, Esq., HAF Managing Director, based in the Bay Area, CA, holds a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law. Mr. Kalra leads the Foundation’s human rights and public policy advocacy efforts and has led human rights fact finding missions, served as a panelist at multiple Congressional briefings, and authored formal testimony for Congressional Hearings on human rights, foreign policy, hate crimes, and immigration. He has also led HAF’s textbook reform and Don’t Erase India education campaigns in California, and has testified at California State Assembly and Senate Committee Hearings on Education and Hate Crimes. He previously served on Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) Immigration Advisory Committee.

HAF's first virtual gala: This Dharmic Life
2020-06-05 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
What does This Dharmic Life demand of us? Our dharma demands us to fight for racial justice. In support of the fight against racism, HAF will donate a portion of the proceeds raised at Friday’s gala to the NAACP.
Join us for an inspiring dialogue between HAF’s Executive Director Suhag Shukla, Esq., and business leader, Grammy-nominated recording artist, and humanitarian Chandrika Tandon on the dharmic values that inspire them to serve.
Enjoy Leela Dance Collective‘s sensational kathak-tap collaboration performance.
And hear from former US Presidential Candidate, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, about how Hinduism has shaped her career and life of service.
A generous supporter has offered to match up to $100,000 of the gala proceeds. You can help us receive the entire match by making a pre-gala donation today.

Date: Friday, June 5, 2020 | Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm ET | Where: Online, the comfort of your own home.

Chandrika Tandon
Chandrika Tandon is a business leader, Grammy-nominated artist and humanitarian. Ms. Tandon chairs her advisory firm, Tandon Capital Associates, focusing on measurable transformation of institutions to excellence. Additionally, she chairs the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation, which supports women, education and the arts, and Soul Chants Music. Ms. Tandon’s album, Soul Call, topped world music charts, garnering great acclaim and earning a Grammy nomination. At New York University, she is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the President’s Global Council, and Chair of the Board of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. She serves on the Boards of the NYU Stern School of Business and the NYU Langone Health System.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard was the first Hindu American and female combat veteran to ever run for president and the first Hindu American ever elected to the US Congress. She served for seven years on the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Homeland Security Committees, where she earned bipartisan respect as an independent thinker and experienced policymaker on national security issues. Tulsi has been a fierce champion for protecting our environment, from ensuring clean water and air for generations to come to investing in infrastructure and a green energy economy. She has also advocated for healthcare for all, civil liberties and privacy, support for small businesses, criminal justice reform, and sustainable agriculture, amongst other things. Her vision for America and the world is a Dharmic one — one in which there is real peace, where people have time to pursue happiness rather than being forced to work constantly, and where strong communities care for each other and the planet. And her approach gleaned from the Bhagavad Gita’s call for service above self.
Suhag Shukla, Esq.
Suhag Shukla, Esq. is HAF Executive Director and a co-founder of the Foundation. Ms. Shukla has helped steer the Foundation to being recognized as a leading voice for civil rights, human rights, and religious freedom. She is actively involved with Chinmaya Mission, serves on the board of the Bhutanese American Organization of Philadelphia, and is a thought partner for the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia’s Paths to Understanding Public Art Initiative. Shukla is a member of the board for the National Museum of American Religion and serves on religious advisory committees for the Council on Foreign Relations, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Subcommittee for the Prevention of Targeted Violence Against Faith–Based Communities and is a member of the First Amendment Center’s Committee on Religious Liberty and the United Nations Women’s Gender Equality and Religion platform. Shukla was named one of twelve “faith leaders to watch in 2017” by the Center for American Progress.
Leela Dance Collective
The Leela Dance Collective was founded in 2016 by Rina Mehta, Rachna Nivas and Seibi Lee, senior disciples of legendary kathak master Pandit Chitresh Das, along with leading kathak performers Sarah Morelli and Shefali Jain. It is the only one of its kind Indian-American dance company that brings together leading kathak artists from around the world representing a multitude of voices to articulate a clairvoyant vision for kathak. The collective is distinguished by an artistic practice that centers around collaboration and collective creativity and a body of work that is at once grounded in tradition and boldly innovative. On June 5th, Leela Dance Collective will perform the sensational kathak-tap collaboration, SPEAK, featuring kathak artists Rina Mehta and Rachna Nivas with tap artists Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia.
Ahimsa “Be Non-Harming” level

Dr. Rajiv and Priya Pandit,
Anand Vihar c/o Santosh & Ami Govindaraju

Satya “Be Truthful” level

Mantra Exclusives c/o Vijay and Abha Narang

HAF Webinar: Ayurvedic Principles in Italian Cooking with Divya Alter
2020-05-07 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration here
Join us for our second ayurvedic cooking demonstration by Chef Divya Alter (Divya’s Kitchen, NYC). This time, Divya will guide us through the preparation of an artichoke and olive tapenade pasta dish and discuss its benefits to our body. Divya Alter is a certified nutritional consultant and educator in the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda tradition. She is also the author of What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen. Divya Alter is a certified nutritional consultant and educator in the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda tradition. She is the co-founder of Bhagavat Life, the only Ayurvedic culinary school in New York. She and her husband launched North America’s first Ayurvedic chef certification program and Divya’s Kitchen, an authentic Ayurvedic restaurant in Manhattan. Divya is also the author of What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen (Rizzoli, April, 2017).

HAF Webinar: Coping with COVID, A dialogue with Deepak Chopra™ MD
2020-04-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Monday, April 27, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
Join us for an engaging and informative dialogue between Eddie Stern and Dr. Chopra on the impact stress and anxiety have on our wellbeing and how we can reset ourselves with basic self-care techniques.
Read more:
What is the Best Self-Care during the COVID-19 Crisis?
Elite Task Force Assembles to Urge Addition of Meditation and Yoga to Help Fight COVID-19 Deepak Chopra™ MD, FACP, founder of the Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, and Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality, is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. Chopra is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and serves as a senior scientist with Gallup Organization. He is the author of over 89 books translated into over forty-three languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. His 90th book and national bestseller, Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential (Harmony Books), unlocks the secrets to moving beyond our present limitations to access a field of infinite possibilities. TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century.” Eddie Stern is a world renowned Ashtanga Yoga Teacher. He is the co-creator of The Breathing App and author of One Simple Thing: A New Look at the Science of Yoga and How It Can Transform Your Life. Eddie has a passion for engaging in a multidisciplinary approach to furthering understanding, education, and access to yoga through technology, scientific research, collaboration, and encouraging diversity in all aspects of his work. He studies philosophy, Sanskrit, ritual, science, and religion, and has a great love for music and art, which play a big role in his representation of yoga.

Amita Roy Shah Reads "Lights, Camera, Diwali"
2020-04-23 17:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2020
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm ET
Location: Instagram Live, @HinduAmerican
Amita Roy Shah, E.D will read her popular book Lights, Camera, Diwali! This engaging story shows how some Indian-Americans celebrate at home through the eyes of Dia who receives a camera as a Diwali present and uses it to capture memories of this special day! You can purchase the book to read along here or tune in as Dr. Shah reads it aloud! Dr. Amita Roy Shah is an award-winning author. She wrote the books It’s Time for Holi! and Lights, Camera, Diwali! to teach all children more about the Indian culture. She has spent her career in multicultural education and curriculum development.
Dr. Amita is the founder of HybridParenting.org, an online platform that is dedicated to investing in the cultural wellbeing of children. The research shows that parents often don’t have the right types of knowledge or resources to teach children about the diverse cultures that exist.

HAF Webinar: COVID-19 and the Rise of Cyberbullying - Examining Interactions during Isolation
2020-04-21 21:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
With the move to digital education platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents can be left wondering how much screen time is safe and how online interactions can be monitored to prevent cyberbullying. This webinar will cover topics such as recognizing warning signs, how to foster open parent-child communication, and how to ensure children’s mental well-being, amongst other topics. We will also discuss ways to promote inclusion and best practices to stay connected during this period of social isolation. Dr. Abhay Dandekar, MD practices general outpatient pediatrics and has served in a number of educational and leadership roles in the academic and community settings. Dr. Dandekar serves as a medical director for population health at Optum/United Health Group. He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The University of California San Francisco.
Dr. Dhara Thakar Meghani, PhD is a licensed psychologist and professor in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at the University of San Francisco. Her research concerns the promotion of infant and perinatal mental health through the design and implementation of accessible, evidence-based interventions aimed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression during the transition to parenthood. She is founder of Parentline, a telepsychotherapy counseling service for parents of children birth to three years of age.

Bombay Jam with Tanvi Jhaveri Meghani
2020-04-19 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2020
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 pm ET
Location: Online
*Registration on Zoom here
Registration will close on Saturday at 9:00 pm PST
Sweat it out with the ultimate dance fitness total body workout packed with authentic Bollywood flavor.
Long time HAF supporter and certified Bombay Jam instructor, Tanvi Jhaveri Meghani, is offering up a special one hour class for HAF supporters! All you need are your sneakers, a yoga mat, and your water bottle.
*The class is purely donation based, and Tanvi has graciously asked for all contributions to be made to HAF. Before Sunday’s class, please consider donating $10 to HAF…we could greatly use your support.
Tanvi Jhaveri Meghani

HAF Webinar: Coping with COVID, Ayurvedic Cooking for Boosting Immunity
2020-04-16 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2020
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
These days, many of us are looking for simple ways to boost our immune systems. Join us for an online ayurvedic cooking demonstration by chef Divya Alter. Focusing on three simple recipes for boosting immunity, Divya will guide us through their preparation and discuss specific benefits to our body. Divya Alter is a certified nutritional consultant and educator in the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda tradition. She is the co-founder of Bhagavat Life, the only Ayurvedic culinary school in New York. She and her husband launched North America’s first Ayurvedic chef certification program and Divya’s Kitchen, an authentic Ayurvedic restaurant in Manhattan. Divya is also the author of What to Eat for How You Feel: The New Ayurvedic Kitchen (Rizzoli, April, 2017).

HAF Webinar: Coping with COVID - Building immunity with Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine
2020-04-13 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Monday, April 13, 2020
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of healing, defines good health not by the absence of disease, but the presence of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Integrative medicine, a modern holistic medical discipline, views health through the patient’s physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental influences. Are these systems complementary? What role do they play in cultivating good health? How can ancient practices be combined with modern medicine to help build immunity? Dr. Akil Palanisamy, a Harvard-trained physician who practices Integrative Medicine at The Institute for Health and Healing in San Francisco, one of the oldest centers for integrative medicine in the United States.
Dr. Palanisamy approach blends the best of conventional medicine and complementary medicine, such as Ayurveda, the time-tested traditional medical system of India. He’s worked with thousands of patients to help them heal and recover. Dr. Palanisamy is also the author of The Paleovedic Diet, a book offering a comprehensive roadmap to optimal health combining the most effective aspects of the Paleo diet with Ayurveda and the latest scientific research.
He also offers an online video course for those interested in learning more and wanting to incorporate his overall approach to integrative wellness combining Ayurveda and the Paleo diet into their lifestyle.

HAF Webinar: Coping with COVID, Spiritual wellbeing in the midst of a global crisis.
2020-04-09 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2020
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
In the midst of the COVID pandemic, what is the role of spirituality in this time of crisis? How can we better cope? What is the way forward?
Hear from two modern-day masters of Vedanta in an enlightening and enriching dialogue on the salience of sadhana during these uncertain times. Swami Atmarupananda discovered the Vedanta tradition of Hindu dharma as an American teenager and developed what has become a lifelong fascination and dedication. He joined the Ramakrishna Order of India as a monk in 1969 in Chicago, and subsequently spent many years in India engaged in monastic, scholarly, and spiritual training. For many years he has travelled widely in the world, giving lectures and retreats, speaking at conferences dedicated to finding a spiritual foundation for civilization and participating in interspiritual dialog. He now serves as the resident monk of the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston.
Swamini Svatmavidyananda is a long-time and accomplished disciple of Parampujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, located in Saylorsburg, PA. She splits her time between Washington DC and Oregan at two affiliate centers of Arsha Vidya. She’s an internationally respected scholar and practitioner of Advaita Vedanta. Swaminji was responsible for the inception of the All India Movement for Seva (AIM for Seva), a non-profit enabling rural Indian children to receive a proper education. She was also a founding member of the Global Women’s Peace Initiative, an international network of women and men spiritual and community leaders.

HAF Webinar: Coping with COVID-19, Manage Stress and Anxiety with Yoga and Meditation
2020-03-31 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
In today’s panic stricken climate, it’s important to use tools we already have to help us cope and find some balance. How can we use yoga and meditation to calm our minds?
Join us for a live webinar with world renowned Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Eddie Stern.
Eddie Stern is a world renowned Ashtanga Yoga Teacher. He is the co-creator of The Breathing App and author of One Simple Thing: A New Look at the Science of Yoga and How It Can Transform Your Life. Eddie has a passion for engaging in a multidisciplinary approach to furthering understanding, education, and access to yoga through technology, scientific research, collaboration, and encouraging diversity in all aspects of his work. He studies philosophy, Sanskrit, ritual, science, and religion, and has a great love for music and art, which play a big role in his representation of yoga.

HAF COVID-19 Education Webinar
2020-03-18 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Online, Anywhere
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Time: 9:00-10:00pm ET
Location: Online
Free registration on Zoom here
Join the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) for an educational webinar on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Hear directly from medical professionals on best practices, special precautions, and how to manage stress and anxiety.
Featuring former US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, HAF Board Members Drs. Mihir Meghani and Rajiv Pandit, HAF National Team Member Psy.D Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria, and Dr Lavannya Pandit.
Moderated by HAF Co-Founder Dr. Aseem Shukla.

You're Invited: HAF's Chicago Benefit Dinner 2020
2020-02-01 18:30 - 21:30 UTC | IL, United States
Join us for HAF’s Chicago Benefit Dinner on Saturday, February 1 for a delicious dinner and stimulating conversations about HAF… and Star Wars!
Yes, you read that correctly. Our guest speaker, Dr. Jeffery D. Long, will discuss the Hindu themes that are interwoven in the iconic Star Wars movie series. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, drew much of the inspiration for this major cultural phenomenon from the teachings of his mentor, Joseph Campbell, a lifelong student of Hinduism/Vedanta.
Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, and anyone who’d love to support a great cause!
Date: Saturday, February 1
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: The Community House | 415 W. Eighth Street | Hinsdale, IL 60521
Tickets: Tickets will be available soon Aks & Lakshmi are a composer and vocalist duo who specialize in Electronic Bhakti Music. Trained by Oscar winner AR Rahman, Aks is best known for creating multi-layered electronic orchestrations and soulful melodies. With an M.A. in Religious Studies from Stanford University, Lakshmi is a vocalist-scholar who brings singing, scholarship, and storytelling onto one platform. Together, they are pioneers in blending Raga influences with electronic and pop genres to create powerful spiritual experiences. They sing bhajans and stotras of bhakti poets such as Adi Shankara, Surdas, Mirabai, and Narsi Mehta to spread the saints’ love, peace, and pluralistic vision. Dr. Jeffery D. Long is Professor of Religion and Asian Studies at Elizabethtown College, where he has taught since receiving his doctoral degree from the University of Chicago in the year 2000. He is the author of A Vision for Hinduism, Jainism: An Introduction, and The Historical Dictionary of Hinduism, as well as the forthcoming Indian Philosophy: An Introduction, Hinduism in America: A Convergence of Worlds, and Arise! Awake! Swami Vivekananda Speaks to the Twenty-first Century. Dr. Long is also the editor of the series Explorations in Indic Traditions: Theological, Ethical, and Philosophical, published by Lexington Books. He has spoken in many venues in America, India, and Europe.
Interested in sponsoring this event?

Greater Philadelphia Benefit Dinner
2019-12-07 18:30 - 21:30 UTC | Parkhouse Hall Atrium, Blue Bell, PA, United States
Join us for HAF’s Greater Philadelphia Benefit Dinner on Saturday, December 7 and enjoy an interactive Journey Through the Yogas.
K A R M A — hear about HAF’s advocacy wins for the year and how you can help
J N A N A — learn about yoga philosophy and practice thru HAF’s special exhibit from last fall’s Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Toronto
D H Y A N A — test your mind quieting and inner harmony skills at an interactive meditation booth
B H A K T I — be carried away by melodious voices from special entertainment
Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, and anyone who’d love to support a great cause!
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Parkhouse Hall Atrium, Montgomery County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422
Montgomery County Community College is not affiliated with the event and the College should not be contacted regarding the program. Penn Masala, the World’s First South Asian A Cappella Group, was born with the desire to create music that traversed traditional cultural boundaries and captured the experience of growing up with both Eastern and Western cultures. As the first group in the world to bring the sounds of the Indian subcontinent to a cappella, they’ve consistently been at the forefront of South Asian-Western fusion ever since. Along the way, they’ve met and sung for heads-of-state, prominent businessmen, and international leaders, while traveling to some of the most vibrant cities across the world. They have been fortunate enough to have performed for President Obama at the White House, at the Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, and in the Hollywood feature film and soundtrack for Pitch Perfect 2 which received an American Music Award for Best Soundtrack in 2015. Chief Guest
Yogi & Lovely Goswami
Guest of Honor
Kiran & Pallavi Patel
HAF Mahatma Gandhi Dharma Seva Award
Keshava & Vanishre Babu
HAF Tampa Bay Vijay & Malini Desai Dharma Seva Award
Pradip & Naini Patel
HAF Dharma Seva Award
Chandresh & Myrna Saraiya
HAF Award for the Advancement of Science and Humanities
Dinesh O. Shah
HAF Pride of the Community Award
Gogi & Renuka Ramappa
Interested in sponsoring this event?

Fort Lauderdale Gala
2019-12-07 18:30 - 21:30 UTC | Ft. Lauderdale Marriott, Coral Springs, FL, United States
We are looking forward to having you at our Tampa Gala, where we will have something for everyone:

Interested in our Education initiatives? You’ll hear about our new Gandhi, Diwali and Kashmir toolkits for classrooms across the nation.
Interested in Kashmir? Learn how you can help shape the narrative of Kashmir. Check out all our content on iheartkashmir.org including a three part video series on the History of Kashmir.
Annoyed with the media’s portrayal of our community? Find out what HAF is doing about it and how YOU can be a part of the solution.

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2019
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Place: Quality Inn Hotel & Conference Center, 2701 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612 Aks & Lakshmi are a composer and vocalist duo who specialize in Electronic Bhakti Music. Trained by Oscar winner AR Rahman, Aks is best known for creating multi-layered electronic orchestrations and soulful melodies. With an M.A. in Religious Studies from Stanford University, Lakshmi is a vocalist-scholar who brings singing, scholarship, and storytelling onto one platform. Together, they are pioneers in blending Raga influences with electronic and pop genres to create powerful spiritual experiences. They sing bhajans and stotras of bhakti poets such as Adi Shankara, Surdas, Mirabai, and Narsi Mehta to spread the saints’ love, peace, and pluralistic vision. Chief Guest
Yogi & Lovely Goswami
Guest of Honor
Kiran & Pallavi Patel
HAF Mahatma Gandhi Dharma Seva Award
Keshava & Vanishre Babu
HAF Tampa Bay Vijay & Malini Desai Dharma Seva Award
Pradip & Naini Patel
HAF Dharma Seva Award
Chandresh & Myrna Saraiya
HAF Award for the Advancement of Science and Humanities
Dinesh O. Shah
HAF Pride of the Community Award
Gogi & Renuka Ramappa
Interested in sponsoring this event?
