On February 22, 2009. the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) hosted its 2nd Annual Hindu Awareness Campaign Fundraiser in Boston, MA.  The main presentation, delivered by HAF's Director of Development, Sheetal Shah, was followed by an hour long interactive group discussion that focused on developing a Hindu voice in the Boston area.  In addition to describing HAF's efforts as an advocacy group to educate leaders in Law, Public Policy, Academia, Media and General Public, the presentation focused on a range of issues and challenges that affect Hindu Americans along with recent successes of HAF.

Some of the highlights include:

- Separation of Church and State involving: block release of Christian license plate in South Carolina which was funded by taxpayers
- Provide vegetarian food for a Hindu detainee who was just being fed bread and water
- Educate congressional leaders about difference between Hinduism and Islam, significance of Diwali, and about ‘Hindus who live outside of India’
- Continue dialogue with US Committee on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
- Work on Congressional Resolution highlighting inflammatory language in Pakistan’s textbooks
- Speak against R1 visa change and religious intolerance in Malaysia
- Build ties with credible media outlets and Religion News Service (RNS)
- Develop a new government supplement highlighting the misuse of US aid by foreign governments
- Partner with other groups to combat on-campus conversion of Hindus, Muslims and other South Asians by Christians

The Foundation also created a Media Toolkit booklet which aims to correct common misrepresentations about Hinduism in the general media.  The Media Toolkit is available for all online at http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_toolkit_misconceptions.htm.

Finally, HAF discussed the lack of a Hindu voice within the government and its efforts to create that much needed voice.  In addition to establishing an office in the Washington D.C. area and hiring a fulltime Director of Public Policy to regularly advocate relevant issues, HAF hosts annual D.C. Legislative Days where key HAF members spend two full days meeting with various US Representatives and Senators to create awareness and garner support for relevant Hindu American issues.

Some of the future plans include:

Strategic tie with UN
Hindu Chaplaincy Program
Annual grants to Hindu academics
2009 essay writing contest for students

There are a number of ways in which you can help and be part of the movement:

- Become a member
- Nominate HAF for Corporate Matching Program
- Join facebook group
- Pledge
- Sponsor an awareness program at home
- Volunteer

Individuals in the Boston are who would like to get involved with HAF are encouraged to visit the website at www.HAFsite.org, and contact HAF's office at office@hafsite.org.  Additionally, every summer, HAF hosts an internship program for high school and college students who are paid a stipend to work alongside an HAF Director or Executive Council Member on a specific issue.  Internship details are listed on HAF’s website closer to the summer months. 

“Arise! Awake! And stop not till the goal is reached” – Swami Vivekanand.

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