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The University of Wyoming’s (UW) prestigious Summer High School Institute (HSI) reportedly taught ancient Hindu scriptures Mahabharata and Ramayana in its Laramie (USA) campus.

The curriculum of this class titled “The Hindu Epic” included: “This course will examine how the great ancient epics, The Mahabharata and the Ramayana,…still shape ideas about identity and devotion in the modern world”. It also included learning about Hindu gods, Hindu worship, etc.

Grace Henderson, who was among over 80 top sophomores from 50 Wyoming school districts attending HSI, was quoted on the UW website in the related newsitem: My favorite class is the ‘Hindu Epic’.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauding University of Wyoming for including Hindu scriptures in this prestigious program, called it “a step in the right direction”.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that opening-up the top Wyoming highschoolers to major world religions would make them well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. It also made a good business sense to know the beliefs of “others” in a global community. Moreover, students should have knowledge of the entire society to become full participants in the society, Zed added.

Highly selective 26-years old HSI, a three-week summer residential program ending June 30, “is designed to offer intellectually talented high school students a challenging and enriching educational experience on the University of Wyoming campus”. It is said to be a gathering of “Wyoming’s most intellectually talented sophomores” and “gifted students”. “The primary purpose of the program is to draw talented Wyoming high school sophomore students to the university for an intensive examination of unanswered questions and unresolved challenges”, according to HSI webpage. “The Hindu Epic” class was taught by Assistant Professor Barbara Logan, while Duncan Harris and Rene Sanchez were Director and Project Coordinator respectively of HSI.

University of Wyoming in Laramie, founded in 1886, is a nationally recognized research institution, ranked among the nation’s top colleges and universities and is stated to be one of the top "adventure colleges”. With about 13,000 students from all 50 states and over 90 countries, it offers 190 areas of study. Notable alumni include Vice President Dick Cheney, quality control pioneer W. Edwards Deming and novelist Cheryl Holt. David J. Bostrom heads its Board of Trustees while Tom Buchanan is the President.

Hindu Temple complex breaking ground in Northwestern Alberta

Bhumi-Puja (sod-turning) ceremony for “Canadian Hindu Cultural Centre” will be held in Grande Prairie County No. 1 (Alberta, Canada) on June 29 evening.

Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given has been invited to do ceremonial sod-turning for the proposed 1400 square foot Centre in over nine acres of land to be built by non-profit registered charity “Grande Prairie Hindu Association” (GPHA). Mangal Parikrama and Puja will also be held on the occasion. Costing about $400,000, it is reportedly expected to be ready by November.

According to reports, this new temple complex plans to meet the worship, social and cultural needs of the community and will be Canada’s most northern Hindu temple. Besides Hinduism, it aims to promote India and its dances, culture, philosophy, foods, etc., and hopes to bring instructors from India to teach classical music, yoga, etc. Besides private donations, its management hopes to receive some funding from government also.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of Association leaders and area community to realize this Hindu temple complex.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Area Hindus, consisting of few dozen families only, reportedly have to travel to Edmonton, about 450 kilometers, for worshipping at a Hindu temple. Doctors Nikhilesh Roy, S. Karnik and Ram Mudalier are President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer respectively of GPHA, which is dedicated to build the Hindu temple and promote Hindu religion and culture.

First County in Alberta, Grande Prairie County No. 1, with an area of about 5,863 square kilometers has only 20,347 population. This area was settled in the early 1900’s. Currently, Leanne Beaupre and Bill Rogan are Reeve and Administrator respectively of the County, whose Vision Statement includes: "focuses on people, their quality of life and diversity of opportunity".