Northern California: Hold the Date! - September 28, Friday

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) announces:

HAF’s 4th Annual Northern California
Hindu Awareness and Education Campaign Dinner

Date: September 28, Friday. 6.30pm-11pm
Place: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, 1430 California Circle , Milpitas , CA 95035

Please RSVP by September 1, 2007 to HAF's Office in Washington , D.C. : 301-770-7835

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:

Desh Deshpande
On
“The Importance of Philanthropy in Institution Building for a Harmonious Community”

Desh Deshpande an entrepreneur, involved with Sycamore Networks, Airvana, A123 Systems, Tejas Networks and Sandstone Capital.

Desh is involved in philanthropy in America and India through the Deshpande Foundation

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Professor Ramdas Lamb
On
“Fabricating Hinduism: Western Distortions of the Tradition, the Reality, and How to Counter them”

Ramdas Lamb is an Associate Professor of Religion at the University of Hawai’i . From 1969 to 1978, he was a sadhu in the Ramananda Sampraday in North India . While his research includes ascetic traditions in India , his primary academic focus has been on Harijan and low caste religious and social movements in India . He is co-founder and president of Sahayog Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps educate rural Harijan (previously referred to as "Untouchable") youth, especially girls, in Central India .

Join the HAF leadership and supporters from around Northern California in a presentation on what we have done this past year and future plans.

The past year has been extremely successful due to your support. Here are some of our highlights:
1st ever address by a Hindu organization at a Congressional human rights hearing
Releasing the 3rd annual report on the status of human rights of Hindus where they are minorities, and receiving mainstream coverage in American media
Hiring a full time Executive Director and part time administrative assistant in our Washington , D.C. office.
Continuing to push for passing of a Congressional resolution recognizing Diwali (House Resolution 245 – “The Diwali Resolution”)
Winning a lawsuit against the California State Board of Education for misrepresentation of Hinduism and inequity in how Hindus have been treated in the textbook adoption process
Releasing the 1st ever report on internet hate against Hindus
Working to educate people who shape public opinion and public policy in America about Hinduism and Hindu issues
Getting Hindu issues onto the radar of mainstream American media and community groups

At this event:
Find out how you can support HAF!
Learn about HAF and its leadership - founded in 2003 to give a voice to 2 million Hindu Americans
Learn about HAF’s goals, objectives, and plans in fighting hate crimes, discrimination, and terrorism against Hindus in America and all over the world
Learn about HAF’s work with the Supreme Court and US Congress, HAF’s Annual Hindu Human Rights Report, media campaign and more
Have your High School/College going children learn about the challenges facing the community and how they can participate in the summer internship program

Please join us and help strengthen HAF so it can better represent Hindu Americans!
We look forward to your support!
For more information and to RSVP, please contact:
Hindu American Foundation’s Office in Washington , D.C. : 301-770-7835
Mihir Meghani, M.D. , HAF President: mihir at hafsite dot org
Dr. Padma & Sam Srinivasan , padmamd at yahoo dot com
Dr. Sunil & Anchal Dhawan, sdhaw at yahoo dot com
Drs Ram & Pramila Ramachandra, ram2837 at yahoo dot com
Dr. Vanila Singh , vanila at rocketmail dot com