Olympia promotes peace, unity with Hindu Heritage Month proclamation 

The Olympia City Council endorsed a proclamation designating October as Hindu Heritage Month.

Krishna Kumar, of Olympia Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the relevance of Hindu philosophy amid ongoing conflicts and human suffering around the world.  He made his remards at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Kumar pointed to the Hindu principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit phrase meaning “the world is one family,” as a reminder of humanity’s shared responsibility for one another.  

He said Olympia’s proclamation “reminds us of our collective responsibility to promote peace, extend compassion across borders, and build a community where everyone feels valued and connected.”  

The proclamation recognized Hindu Americans many contributions to Olympia, including Ayurveda medicine, classical art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature, and community services.  

“Despite their positive contributions to Olympia, the state of Washington and the nation, they face stereotypes and misconceptions about their heritage and are targets of bullying, discrimination, hate speech, and bias-motivated crimes,” the proclamation states.  

The city reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion by honoring Hindu heritage through education, acknowledgement and celebration within the community.  

The Hindu Americans in Olympia represent a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Malaysian, Indonesian, Afghani, Nepali, Bhutanese, Sri Lankan, Fijian, African and European descent.  

Hindu Heritage Month is celebrated every October, which coincides with major Hindu festivals, such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Pongal, Onam, Saraswati Puja, Navaratri and Diwali.