MASSACHUSETTS, USA, May 30, 2006: Saturday, May 13, was declared a day of Hindu Heritage by the Governor of Massachusetts. Over 1,350 people attended the tenth anniversary celebration mela made auspicious by life-giving rain, a record assembly for Hindu Heritage Day, and second largest gathering of people of Indian origin to take place in the Boston area to date. The auditorium of 1,100 seating was filled to capacity with some people standing in the aisles to view the cultural program, causing excitement in performers as well as safety disquiet in volunteers. The hallways with stalls full of artists, vendors, information booths, charitable organizations, health foods, and meditation centers saw an unprecedented number of people stop by. Not to be compared with the incomparable Kumbh Mela of India, this little mela of our Indian community, organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, generated the same feeling of unity in the 29 participating organizations and attendees. This unity was visible in all aspects of the mela. A united Indian community participated in providing for 41 Ekal Vidyalaya (one teacher schools) with one anonymous generous donor matching each school donation. In total, in one afternoon alone, donations were received for 82 one teacher schools for providing basic education in different parts of rural India, no small contribution from Boston area residents.
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