HCC - Hindu Cultural Center Youth Group
The HCC- Hindu Cultural Center Youth Group was started because of an increasing need from our Indian American Youth to have a place where they can discuss openly their experiences in straddling two different cultures, and their quest to understand Hindu Zeitgeist (intellectual, moral, and cultural climate). As life can be complicated for youths with such backgrounds, it’s our belief providing a nurturing nonjudgmental environment will facilitate a healthier assimilation. Our HCC group is headed by Siddhartha Gupta, Carnegie Mellon Student, under the guidance of Ritu Gupta, our Youth Group director. Please contact Siddhartha Gupta for registration. Please spread the word so we can get as many Indian American youths involved as we can!
Sixteen enthusiastic youngsters started the first official HCC youth group. Following is the highlight of our meeting. Most of the youth’s agenda was to focus on the vicissitudes of their relationships with their parents. They also voiced their confusion, frustration and lack of understanding of the position of Hinduism on various social issues that confront them on day-to-day basis. Second meeting will be a dialogue between adults and the youth focusing on Hindu culture and traditions, which they perceive as restrictive and suppressive.
Ongoing dialogue will help to clarify misperceptions on both sides from recent immigrant’s point of view and from children raised in this country. This will also help to form a clearer picture of what Hindu Culture entails. We hope these issues will be pertinent for you and your family. It’s not too late to join the youth group. Please contact Siddhartha Gupta.