As per recent estimates, in addition to about 2 million Hindus of Indian origin, the US is now home to nearly 1 million Hindus of non-Indian origin. And another 15 million Americans have taken to Hindu practices like Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda which are now commonplace in the American mainstream. A growing number of prominent Hindu and Indian physicians, teachers, scientists, software engineers and entrepreneurs are making their mark in this country. There are many Indian noble laureates like Subramanyan Chandrasekhar (1983 - Physics) and Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul (2001 - Literature) who made India and Hinduism proud by their immense contributions in their own fields.

 

Although Hindu presence and influence is visible everywhere, misconceptions about India in general and about Hinduism and Hindus in particular prevail among the general public as well as in academic settings. Hindu Education Foundation, an educational project by concerned Indians and Hindus in the USA, strives to replace these various misconceptions with correct representation of India and Hinduism. Such a true representation becomes necessary in a changing world that continues to be plagued by religious misunderstanding, intolerance, hate and violence.

 

A right understanding of any faith including that of Hinduism would lead to peace and harmony as well as preservation and nurturing of religious diversity, a vital necessity for the continued well being of any nation.