Time that Hindus join forces for the purpose of spreading service, peace, and tolerance

By Divya Selvakumar

As an international development professional and nutrition specialist, I spent a couple years working in Tanzania and in India spreading the importance of nutrition awareness. During this time, I became interested in the role religion played in the implementation of nutrition programs. Upon moving to DC area a few years ago, I met representatives from and became familiar with World Vision, American Jewish World Service, and Islamic Relief. However, I could not find a non-governmental relief organization associated with Hinduism. This observation formed the idea of American Hindu World Service (AHWS) , an organization focused on promoting international development and global health through Hindu faith-based perspectives. American Hindu World Service aims to promote, educate and advocate for the Hindu service aspects in international development.

Currently, American Hindu World Service is developing its agenda and is collaborating with international and domestic interfaith organizations, as well as international development professionals. The organization’s agenda will focus on the six areas articulated by the Millennium Development Goals:

.nutrition and food security
.water and sanitation
.environment
.education
.women’s empowerment
.microfinance

Due to our strong presence in American society, it is time that Hindus join forces with other religious communities around the globe for the purpose of spreading service, peace, and tolerance.