Hindu Youth for Unity, Virtues and Action, is a nationwide organization that provides students— whether they practice the religion or are simply looking to learn more—a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn about Hinduism.
“We aim to showcase dharma, a term which roughly translates to doing the right thing,” secretary Bhavya Shanmugan said. “Everything we do at Hindu YUVA is aimed at inspiring people to give back to the community and help those in need.”
The club organizes events throughout the year in order to celebrate and spread awareness about important holidays and festivals. The club dedicates a good portion of its meetings to planning these events on campus for all students to participate in.
“We organize cultural events for festivals like Diwali, host presentations on aspects of Hindu philosophy or traditions,” president Nidhi Dhunka said. “This year, we helped organize the teen Holi event along with the Moorpark chapter of Hindu YUVA. We were able to raise enough money to donate $1000 to charity through this event.”
The club allows for invaluable memories and friendships to form between members.
“My favorite memory was organizing our Diwali celebration this year,” Dhunka said. “We had music, food, and dance, and seeing everyone come together and enjoy the event was so fulfilling.”
Overall, the club provides a sense of community for students at OPHS and a space for students to enjoy themselves and celebrate Hindu culture.
“Being part of the club has been such a meaningful experience,” vice president Yana Seedhar said. “I’m grateful I’ve had the chance to contribute to this community and help create a space where people feel heard and accepted.”
