Braham Ratan Agarwal

Shri Braham Ratan Agarwal is shown in the picture below, making his announcement at the Hindu University of America Advancement Conclave held in Orlando, Florida on the weekend of June 22-23, 2019. Speaking on the occasion, he said “The time is right for the Hindu University of America to rise to become a respected university in the world. We pray and hope that our small gift will be supplemented by a wellspring of support from the Hindu community worldwide”. Braham Ratan Agarwal is Chairman of the Board of Park Square Homes, one of Central Florida’s premier residential and resort homebuilders, which has enriched and improved the quality of life in Central Florida for nearly 40 years. Also seen in the background is a photograph of Swami Tilak, who inspired the creation of this University in the 1980s.

Padma Bhushan Ved Nanda, currently Chairman of the Board of the Hindu University of America, honored Shri Braham Ratan Agarwal, with the title, “Dharma Rakshaka” for his long-standing commitment and support for the Hindu University of America, during both good and difficult times, over the last 25 years. The picture shown below captures the moment.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ved Nanda said “There are more than 600 Christian Universities in the United States, dozens of Jewish and several Islamic Universities in the west. Is it not time that we create a Hindu University that we can all be proud of? It was indeed a splendid idea several years ago to launch the Hindu University of America. The idea is as powerful today as it was then, and perhaps even more so as the current marketplace of ideas demonstrates a growing desire to learn more about the values enshrined in Hinduism through its practices, such as meditation, Yoga, Pranayama, and Ayurveda”. On the same occasion, Shri Abhinav Dwivedi who has been associated with Hindu University of America since the very beginning of the University in 1989, was also honored with the title “Dharma Rakshaka”. In the following picture, Mrs. Abhinav Dwivedi is seen receiving the award on behalf of her husband, in his absence, along with their daughter Ruti.

Also present at the event were Shri N.V. Raghuram, Chairman of Yoga Bharati, and a past President of Hindu University of America, Dr. Manohar Shinde, Founding Chairman of Dharma Civilization Foundation and a member of the Board of Hindu University of America (HUA), as well as Mr. Kalyan Viswanathan, serving currently as its interim President and Executive Vice President.

The Hindu University of America has had a 30-year existence, since its founding in 1989. Authorized by the State of Florida, it awards Graduate level degrees in Hindu studies and continuing education and certification programs in areas related to Hindu thought. From time to time in its history, the university has struggled for funds, students as well as community support. On the strength of a seed grant from Dharma Civilization Foundation, based in Los Angeles, California it is making a renewed effort towards revitalization and growth. The Advancement of Conclave was an important milestone in solidifying both belief and support for this initiative. The picture below shows four out of five members of the Board of Hindu University of America (HUA) including Dr. Yashwant Pathak who served as its President until recently.

Swami Svatmananda, a student of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, founder of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam group of institutions, also attended the event, representing Pujya Swamiji’s vision for the development of the Hindu University of America (HUA). For a more detailed write up on the Advancement Conclave – please “click here”. To see a photo essay of the conclave – please “click here”.