Heritage
The HUA Journey: Key Milestones
September 2024
– HUA Team meet PM Modi
In September 2024, a delegation of HUA led by the Chairman of the Board, HUA, Dr. Jashwant Patel, HUA President Shri Kalyan Viswanathan, and Board members and longtime supporters of HUA Shri Brahma Ratan Aggarwal and Sri Sajjan Agarwal, met Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Modi acknowledged the need for an institution like HUA and appreciated the work being done by it.
August 2024
– CCA Acquisition
In August 2024, Hindu University of America (HUA) acquired the California College of Ayurveda (CCA), expanding HUA’s offerings into Ayurveda and Integrative Health. Founded by Dr. Marc Halpern in 1995, CCA has been a leader in Ayurveda education in the West. This acquisition, championed by HUA’s leadership, aims to integrate Ayurveda with modern science, fostering holistic healthcare education and research while advancing the field globally.
March 2024
– New Campus Inauguration
In March 2024, Hindu University of America celebrated its fifth anniversary under the leadership of Shri Kalyan Viswanathan, marking the occasion with the inauguration of its new office at Pine Lake Retreat, Groveland, Florida. The event featured a Vedic puja led by Shri Sree Aswath ji, honoring HUA’s growth. Attendees included faculty, staff, board members, and patrons, with special recognition given to donors Shri Brahmaratan Agarwal ji and Shri Suresh Gupta ji. Shri Kalyan Viswanathan expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that have shaped HUA’s journey.
2022
– HUA Doctoral Faculty Dr. Vishwa Adluri Conferred with the Distinguished Indologist Award
On June 28, 2022, HUA Doctoral faculty Dr. Vishwa Adluri was presented with the Distinguished Indologist Award for the year 2019, by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India at India House, New York. Recognized as a foremost scholar of the Mahābhārata, Dr. Adluri’s pioneering work has reshaped the study of Indian philosophy and history. His contributions, including a critical examination of German Indology, continue to reclaim and reaffirm India’s intellectual heritage on the global stage.
September 2021
– HUA’s First Graduation Event
Hindu University of America (HUA) held its 2021 Graduation Ceremony on September 18 at the Marriott Marquis, New York, awarding its first Master of Arts in Sanskrit degrees and doctoral degrees in Hindu Studies and Yoga. Padma Bhushan Shri Anupam Kher received an Honorary Doctorate in Hindu Studies. The event featured esteemed speakers, including Swami Sarvapriyananda and HUA President Shri Kalyan Viswanathan, emphasizing the university’s mission to preserve and advance Hindu knowledge systems.
2019
– HUA Advancement Conclave
In April 2019, Over 60 attendees gathered for a dynamic weekend reflecting on HUA’s past, present, and future. Padmabhushan Dr. Ved Nanda underscored the need for a Hindu university, while key figures discussed accreditation, academic programs, and institutional growth. A $1 million pledge from Braham Ratan Agarwal provided a strong financial boost. The event, enriched by thought-provoking sessions and cultural performances, marked a pivotal step in HUA’s reinvention and advancement.
2018
– The Rejuvenation Strategy
In 2018, a coherent strategy for the rejuvenation and revitalization of Hindu University of America began to take shape. This initiative was spearheaded by the Dharma Civilization Foundation, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study of Hinduism in formal academic settings, under the leadership of its president Shri Kalyan Viswanathan.
2013
Swami Dayananda Saraswati, founder of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam and Convener of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, expressed a keen interest in revitalizing the institution multiple times. He emphasized:
“The systematic study of the timeless wisdom in Hindu Dharma’s core texts, in a formal academic setting, is vitally important. Promoting authentic interpretations of these texts is critical to prevent misrepresentations from becoming authoritative. I consider this essential not only for preserving our traditional wisdom but also for humanity’s future well-being.”
— Swami Dayananda Saraswati (1930-2015),
Founder, Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha
2007 - 2018
– Years of Struggle
During the following 11 years, the University faced challenges in identifying the right leadership and securing financial resources. Despite many efforts, a sustainable strategy did not emerge for a long time.
2003
– The Presidency of Kuldip C. Gupta
In 2003, Dr. Kuldip C. Gupta, a distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado, left his academic career to serve as HUA’s new President. He quickly became the backbone of the institution, providing stability and direction during its formative years. Under his leadership, the University saw steady growth in both faculty and student enrollment.
Tragically, Professor Gupta passed away unexpectedly in 2007 due to a heart attack while traveling in Mumbai, India, at the age of 66.
2001
– The Emergence of a Campus
In 2001, the University acquired a 9-acre campus in Orlando, Florida, thanks to the generosity of Shri Brahma Ratan Agarwal, who has been its principal benefactor since. In 2002, Edith and Robert Grimm further supported the institution by donating an additional 2.5 acres. The University began offering regular classes and launched several academic programs.
1993
– State Authorization
Four years later, in 1993, Hindu University of America secured state authorization to operate as a legitimate institution. It was recognized as a Religious Institution, exempt from governmental oversight, via an annual exemption letter issued by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education.
Dr. Deen Dayal Khandelwal became the HUA’s first President, while Shri Abhinav Dwivedi served as its Secretary and Treasurer, assuming a key leadership role. In its early years, HUA primarily focused on organizing events and seminars without offering formal classes.
1989
– The Beginning
Five years after Swami Tilak’s passing, four visionaries decided to start a university, registering it as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Orlando, Florida, in 1989. The four founding members were:
- Dr. Deen Dayal Khandelwal (Orlando, Florida)
- Shri Abhinav Dwivedi (Orlando, Florida)
- Late Dr. Mahesh Mehta (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Late Dr. Ram Prakash Agarwal (Miami, Florida)
The Mid-1980s
– The Seed Idea
The idea of establishing a Hindu University in America was inspired by Swami Tilak in the early to mid-1980s. Though he passed away at a relatively young age in 1984 in a car accident in Spain, Swami Tilak’s vision continues to inspire even today.
“A multitude of serious and sincere seekers of truth are knocking at our doors. We cannot disappoint them by keeping our doors closed. We will have to open our doors and accord a hearty welcome.”
– Swami Tilak (1929–1984)
