ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, October 7, 2023 (Lassi with Lavina, by Lavina Melwani–pictured above): As a journalist dedicated to covering the Indian Diaspora and documenting the struggles and successes of our community for several decades, I was content to keep writing in anonymity, with people only knowing me by my faceless byline. Now in this age of social media things have changed. So I now step out to be recognized with other women achievers, for my writing in Lassi with Lavina and several international publications (including Hinduism Today) over the years and for being one of the co-founders behind Children’s Hope India, a non-profit dedicated to the education of vulnerable children in India. So that evening I, the writer, became part of the story…
The honor came from BAPS, which is a major well-respected institution not only in India but in the far flung Indian Diaspora, a guiding light for Hindus everywhere. It is a big believer in the contributions of women nourishing their families and communities through values, culture — and always, service or seva. This was the theme behind “Celebrating Women’s Contributions: Sanskars, Seva and Sanskruti” at BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey on October 3, 2023. A vast audience of largely women gathered in the auditorium to celebrate the achievements of women, both from the east and the west.
The power of music and dance was highlighted by a rich segment of classical music and traditional dance which is regarded as a form of devotion or bhakti in Hinduism. Indeed there were over 200 musicians and over 400 dancers. It was remarkable that these children and young girls – so far from India – were adept at this, almost as if they had been born with ghungroo bell straps tied to their ankles.
Particularly delightful was a robust dance in traditional costumes where the girls ran out exuberantly, carrying pink hard-hats – for as young volunteers, they not only practice their careers, are true to their culture but also do seva or service. Many of them have temporarily forsaken their jobs to go out of their comfort zone to don hard hats and dedicate themselves to the building of the Mahamandir.
It all goes back to the Swaminarayan teachings of community and service above self, and giving back to the larger world through faith, unity and compassion. Young women told of how they had done this as volunteers and the tales of these first-generation Americans were of balancing their multiple lives with skill.
For more go to source: https://www.lassiwithlavina.com/our-communities/women-achievers-shine-at-baps-festival-of-inspiration/html