The young fighters for tradition

Shruti Iyer, 17, will tell you how much she enjoys studying at a Catholic school. She will also tell you with distinct pride how she chose the new Hindu temple for her school project. She wanted to offer a glimpse into the working of the Minnesota Hindu Temple, which recently held the consecration of its rajagopura.

Shruti, who was 2 years old when she came to the United States, says her parents lovingly instilled in her knowledge about Hinduism. But she got further grounding in her faith because she attends the temple as a volunteer and devotee. The temple also holds yoga classes, which draw non-Indian Americans, she says.
She would not be surprised if schools in Minneapolis and St Paul -- and even in the states neighbouring Minnesota -- bring school students to the temple as part of the multicultural curriculum. And surely, Shruti and young Indians who go to the new temple could act as guides, offering knowledge about the temple in a distinct American lingo.

Shruti, who takes lessons in Carnatic music at the temple, sang at the recent events, apart from volunteering at the front desk and in helping prepare prasad.

"At the temple, I get an opportunity to connect with the larger Indian community," she says, adding, "I get to know the elders as well as people of my age. My knowledge of Hinduism continues growing and I am able explain to my classmates and teachers more about what they see as a 'distant faith. And the volunteer work I do also helps me connect to the Indian community in a very significant way."

Living in a Midwest state that has just a few thousand Indian families, an average Indian kid may forget where he or she came from, Shruti says. "But when I go to the temple, I just cannot forget or overlook my heritage."

Maithili Chari, president, Hindu Temple Society, knows many Indians across America used to wonder some 20 years ago if the temple would be more like a museum for the next generation.

She, along with other temple office-bearers, feels such fears have gradually receded, thanks to the younger generation taking active part in temple-building and also in running them.

"Materially, they cannot offer much to the temple, as they are studying or have just started working," she says, "but they are big morale boosters in the sense they have great commitment and regard for the temple. Their volunteer work is fabulous."

For Mithun Suresh, 22, who recently graduated with an engineering degree and will start pursuing his other passion, a medical degree, being at the temple means many things.

"The most important thing that happens to me whenever I visit the temple or volunteer there is I feel I am connected with my family -- across America but particularly in India. I think of them often. I pray for them. And I am sure when they visit a temple in India or here, they also think of me and my family."

Mithun has helped in various departments in the temple. Being an engineering student also meant helping the landscaping of the 20-acre site. He says many young people resent going to the temple because they think they are being dragged into something they cannot connect to.

"Their mind is on what television show or computer game I am going to play over the weekend," he says, with a chuckle.

But if parents persuade the children gently, the attitude could change, he feels.

"When you get to volunteer, you are connected to the temple in a real way," he adds. "You get to know more people than you ever thought you could meet. And they, young and old, come from very different backgrounds."

Ranjini Ganesh, 19, wishes she had more time to do volunteer work at the temple.

"But I am in college and it is not the same thing like being in a school," says the microbiology student, adding that few hours at the temple she is able to spend on weekends are very precious to her.

Her sister, Nandini, 14, is able to spend more time volunteering, Ranjini adds, because she lives with her parents, not too far from the temple. Ranjini is amazed how the temple, which is now complete, has grown.

"Now, it is like many mini temples under one roof," she says. "We can take genuine pride in its growth, and setting an example to communities elsewhere."

Many young people talk about what the temple could do in the next few years. Holding summer camps could be one way to get more young people involved in the temple activities, they say.

The temple has a small library and conducts classes in Hindu scriptures and traditions. Nandini is taking Ramayan classes, her older sister says with pride and joy. The temple management committee is also planning for a retirement home.

"We hear about many people who have retired or are about to retire that they cannot afford to live in big homes," says Byron Byraiah, who managed the construction site work for the temple while working for a major architecture firm in Minneapolis.

"Living in a temple retirement housing complex means they not only have company of people of their own age but also living next to the temple."