GROWING UP HINDU IN UTAH:
THE STORY OF PREEYA PRAKASH
THE STORY OF PREEYA PRAKASH
www.deseretnews.com
- Preeya Prakash is difficult to define - even for Preeya
Prakash. "I consider myself an American," she said during a recent break
in classes at the University of Utah, where she is a 24-year-old
graduate student with a BA in neuroscience from the University of
Southern California. "And I'm a Utahn. I was born here in Salt Lake
City. I have lived here all my life. I've got the accent and
everything." She is also Indian. Her parents were both born and raised
in India, and her hair, skin and handsome features bear the genetic
imprint of a country in which she has never actually lived.
"When people ask me, 'Where are you from?' I always say, 'Well, I was born here,'" she says with characteristic wit and good humor. "And then they look at me and say, 'Well, yeah, but where are you ... you know ... from?'
Things get a little more complicated for Preeya when you throw her Hindu beliefs and culture into the definitional equation. "Culturally, I am Hindu - and a pretty traditional Hindu, at that," she said while relaxing in one of the Marriott Library lounges. For Preeya, growing up Hindu in Utah has meant being part of a decided minority - racially, culturally and religiously.
According to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, Utah's 9,000 Hindus comprise .5 percent of the state's population - a number consistent with the percentage of Hindus throughout the United States.
"I credit my parents for teaching me how to balance our Hindu culture with the culture of Utah," Preeya said. "We were Americans, we were Utahns, we were Indians, we were Hindu. We were all of these things, and we embraced all of them fully and completely."
"When people ask me, 'Where are you from?' I always say, 'Well, I was born here,'" she says with characteristic wit and good humor. "And then they look at me and say, 'Well, yeah, but where are you ... you know ... from?'
Things get a little more complicated for Preeya when you throw her Hindu beliefs and culture into the definitional equation. "Culturally, I am Hindu - and a pretty traditional Hindu, at that," she said while relaxing in one of the Marriott Library lounges. For Preeya, growing up Hindu in Utah has meant being part of a decided minority - racially, culturally and religiously.
According to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, Utah's 9,000 Hindus comprise .5 percent of the state's population - a number consistent with the percentage of Hindus throughout the United States.
"I credit my parents for teaching me how to balance our Hindu culture with the culture of Utah," Preeya said. "We were Americans, we were Utahns, we were Indians, we were Hindu. We were all of these things, and we embraced all of them fully and completely."
WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?
Hindus
are at the threshold of a major transformation. After centuries of
subjugation, they are now making bold and mammoth progress in various
fields. ... The future decades may be challenging for Hindus in many
ways. Synthesizing modern science with traditional religious activities
may bring forth golden opportunities previously unimagined. Hindus must
not fear or pull away from the new world of technology. Instead, they
must use the same to enhance and adorn their spiritual and religious
pursuits. ... Hindus in foreign countries must conduct themselves as
virtual ambassadors of India. They may serve and love their new country
with complete sincerity and honesty without disrupting the roots with
the country of their origin.
Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
“Conclusion: A Legacy for Hindu Youth Diaspora”
http://hinduismpath.com/
http://hinduismpath.com/book-contents/conclusion/
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
“Conclusion: A Legacy for Hindu Youth Diaspora”
http://hinduismpath.com/
http://hinduismpath.com/book-contents/conclusion/
Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
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