November California Trip Part 2

Recently Acharya Arumuganathaswami and Natyam Jayanatha have returned from their short trip to California. Above are some photos from their journey. The two flew into San Jose, CA, late at night and drove on empty highways to the state's capital of Sacramento. Their goal is to keep tabs on the developing California textbook narrative draft process. See here for details as to what this process is all about.

Basically we are doing our small part to ensure that the presentation of Hinduism in public school textbooks is fair and accurate as opposed to the current, slightly slanderous content. Our monks checked into a hotel down the street from the Department of Education, and next attended the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) meeting, in which comments can be submitted and vocalized in regards to the IQC's current work on the draft narrative.

After two days of meetings, with our monks giving public testimony, the task was done until the next meeting. Before returning to Kauai, the monks had an evening meeting with local members of the Hindu Education Foundation. The HEF had been very helpful in this process by encouraging their children to testify at the meeting about their experiences in the classroom when studying world religions in 6th grade. The monks also took an opportunity to take a short hike through the Bay Area's (currently dry) hills. Then back to Kauai they went!

The IQC meeting took place over two days

Acharya gives his presentation, pointing the Draft Narrative\

s failings in regard to teaching Hinduism'

Many Hindu youth show up and give personal testimony

The IQC board listens intently to the youth

Professor Ramdas Lamb also gives testimony, enforcing the Hindu point of view with academic clout

After the meeting, the two return to San Jose and find a trail to walk

Acharya\

s California glasses'

At least they still have trees here!

Hardly a real trail, but it is still quite nice

A rabbit!

Far in the distance (sticking out of the fog) you can just barely see the Golden gate bridge

They travel off the path to the top of the tallest hill around. It is clearly a special spot, complete with prayer flags

A slightly better view from up here

Acharya on a hill

The other direction. Look water!!!

A panorama. Mouse left and right to find our travelers

A evening meeting with some from the Hindu Education Foundation

Goodbye California. Back to Kauai!

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