Over the last 17 years, HSC has become a strong and vibrant organization. Today, HSC is a voice of Hindu youth across college campuses and the community. HSC enjoys the blessings and support of prominent community members, spiritual personalities, professors and business leaders, and even many celebrities.

Diversity in HSC:

HSC is open to anyone regardless of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation or national origin. Many of the 81 HSC chapters have non-Hindu, non-Indian founders/officers. To highlight some of the many examples:

1. Over 60% of HSC members/participants are young women
2. Most HSC chapters in North America have been participating and organizing Inter-faith peace meetings on campuses.
3. An officer of the Binghamton Chapter is Alexandra Rothenberger, Caucasian. American
4. HSC at University of Minnesota was started by Samantha Chandler, a Native American
5. HSC at Florida International University (Miami) was started by Jennifer Schulke, a Caucasian American
6. HSC at Cornell University was started with the help of a Caucasian American student named Gregory Costanza, who was also the president
7. HSC at University of Virginia had a Muslim officer, Samiur Rehman a few years ago
8. Habiba Akhtar, past officer of the HSC chapter at CCNY (City College of New York) is a Muslim
9. Ali Khan, a Muslim, was an active officer in the HSC chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University
10. University of Pittsburgh chapter’s officers include Rhajiv Ratnatunga, a Sri Lankan Buddhist, and Jason Eisensmith, a Korean American
11. The past co-president of HSC chapters at Rutgers University (New Jersey) is a Sikh named Gagandeep Singh
12. The founder of the HSC chapter at University of Massachusetts is a South African
13. Joel Brown, the co-founder of the brand-new HSC chapter at the University of South Florida is a Caucasian
14. A past officer of HSC chapter at Hunter College (New York) is a Yugoslavian (Sonja Nikolic). Three of the past presidents at Hunter are of Caribbean origin (Guyana and Trinidad)
15. Sarah Poulette, secretary of the HSC chapter at Colgate University (New York), is a Caucasian American
16. University of Maryland - College Park, University of Pennsylvania, University of Minnesota, Brandeis University, etc. have had officers with Caribbean and Jewish backgrounds
17. A key National PR representative of HSC was Pekky Marquez, a Venezuelan Hispanic
18. A key National Seva representative of HSC was April Jones, an African American. She was also an HSC chapter officer at University of Maryland Baltimore. Count. She is currently a Regional Co-ordinator for East Central Region
19. HSC’s Vision is inspired by 3 Universal Vedic principles: a) Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The entire creation is one family; b) Ekam Sat Viprah Bahuda Vadanti: Truth (God) is one; sages call it by various names c) Sarve Apri Sukhina Santu, Sarve Santu Niramayah: Let everybody be happy, healthy and blessed

The above are some examples of the religious/ethnic/other diversity that constitutes the HSC family.

Who runs HSC?

1. HSC is an independently run and independently funded 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, with its own mission, vision and constitution
2. HSC has been independently run since 1993 and it obtained a tax-exempt, non-profit status from the IRS in 2003
3. HSC has its own organizational structure. The national representative body in HSC is the collective voice of nearly 50 students and young professionals drawn from different regions/chapters in US and Canada. These HSC volunteers operate in different teams like CRA (Chapter and Regional Activities), NetSEVA (Network of Students for Education and Volunteer Activities), PRO (Public Relations and Outreach), Media, and Samskar (our newsletter)
4. HSC chapters have their own boards, which are selected by either a election or application process or whichever process suits the local chapter. Each chapter has freedom to organize events based on the interests of students at their respective universities and colleges. Each chapter follows the constitution set by chapter board in accordance to the rules and regulations set by its university or college. The national body provides help in terms of ideas, speakers, funds, publicity materials, etc.
5. When HSC was started in 1990 by few students, they got very little support from adults in the Indian-American community. There was no national Indian/Hindu organization that could provide HSC with resources like intellectual speakers/Swamijis, books, etc. The only non-sectarian Indian organization with a pan-American presence that offered to help them was the VHP-America (VHPA). The leaders and members of the VHPA offered to support HSC as a project, helping HSC with resources like speakers/swamijis, books, etc. Once HSC was started up, it become an independently run organization within 3 years, in 1993

Who supports HSC?

1. HSC takes great care to maintain cordial relations with temples and organizations in America, including the Chinmaya Mission, BAPS, Gayatri Parivar, Barsana Dham, Ramakrishna Mission, Art of Living, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Indian Temple and Cultural Society of North America, ISKCON, Arya Samaj, VHPA, etc. - we treat them all equally. We also maintain good relations with many Buddhist, Jain and Sikh organizations. An example is the Global Dharma Conference 2003, organized by HSC in conjunction with other organizations. Over 2000 delegates from over 40 Hindu and non-Hindu organizations attended the 3-day event.
2. Besides our relations with Hindu/Indian organizations in America, we also maintain relations with youth organizations in Europe as well as youth organizations in Malaysia, South Africa, etc. We also have HSC inspired organizations in Trinidad, Australia and New Zealand that strive to learn about Hindu Dharma and heritage and unite Hindu youth in their respective countries.

The Global Dharma Conference 2003

In 2003, HSC organized the Global Dharma Conference. It was the largest conference of its kind organized by Hindu and non-Hindu youth together. One of the aims of the conference was to ponder upon the ideals of “Dharma” - principles and acts that, if followed, can bring about peace & harmony all over the world. This conference was a prime example of our non-sectarian policy.

Some highlights:

• HSC was the main organizer of the conference. The conference had over 40 supporting and co-sponsoring organizations from around the world. These organizations came from various backgrounds - Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Native American, Indigenous people, African Elder Traditions, Zoroastrian, Vegetarian/Vegan, New Age, etc.
• Over 60 speakers spoke at the conference.
• Some of the speakers include:
• Dalai Lama (via video recording), HH Sri Shankaracharya of Kanchi (via video conference), President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (via video conference), James E. McGreevey (Former Governor of New Jersey), Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi (Former Human Resources Development Minister of India), Kiran Bedi, , Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Bawa Jain (UN Secretary General for the Millenium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders), actress Goldie Hawn (via video conference), Brother Reuben Thuku (Theosophical Society of Africa), Fu-Kiau Bunseki (scholar on African Elder Traditions), and Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya Gurukulam), amongst others.
• The conference hosted a highly acclaimed and unprecedented Inter-Faith meeting where speakers from Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian, Native American and African Elder religions agreed on a need for “Mutual Respect and Acceptance” and “Universality of Humanity”.
• The musical artists who performed at the conference included Muslims and Catholics like Ustad Zakir Hussain (Tabla) and Sarah and Andrea Foreman (Shanti Shanti Sisters). (In fact our HSC National Camps have also hosted Ustad Amzad Rehman and Ustad Raj Jamil)

Savants and Sages Speak of HSC…

“Hindu Students Council is doing a wonderful job. It is imperative that dharmic principles be impressed in the minds of all Hindu youth, and you are fulfilling this admirably in colleges throughout USA. Understanding and practicing dharma, these youth will stand strong for Hinduism here in the West and make a difference.”

• Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Founder of “Hinduism Today”

“Hindu Students Council is a dynamic group of young Hindus dedicated to preserving and promoting the knowledge and values of Sanatana Dharma.”

- Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri), Director, American Institute of Vedic Studies

“I am indeed extremely happy to associate myself with the HSC movement in the West. Swami Vivekananda’s inspirational power is working through each of the students for the establishment of Hindu Dharma in its right spirit throughout the world for peace and blessedness of the entire mankind.”

- Swami Shuddhananda, Founder, Lokenath Divine Life Mission, India & USA

“I am very pleased to state that in HSC I find a dedicated group of sincere, honest, and loving youth who are committed to keeping the torch of Hindu heritage glowing and not only in the United States, but also worldwide.”

- Bansi Pandi, Author of “The Hindu Mind”

“Hindu Students Council has an amazing degree of success in promoting and disseminating the religious, cultural and spiritual values of the Hindu Dharma.”

- Swami Jyotirmayananda, President, YOGA Research Foundation

“The growth of Hinduism in the West obliges today’s Hindu youth to face a twofold challenge: to preserve the uniqueness of the Hindu Heritage and to reaffirm its universal values. HSC will undoubtedly play a vital role in meeting these challenges.”

- Swami Tadatmananda, Arsha Bodha Center, New Jersey

“I am happy to see the Hindu Students Council is providing a venue for Hindu students to explore their spiritual heritage. The programs and events hosted by HSC help to broaden and deepen appreciation for our Bharatiya philosophy and its practical application in daily life.”

- Nikhileshwari Devi, Barsana Dham, Texas

“Increased awareness of the glorious Hindu Heritage, greater self-confidence (and self-esteem), motivation to gain a deeper understanding of the whole of life, guidance in self-improvement, and a collective ability for social action are being promoted by the well conceived programs of HSC.”

- Swami Chidananda, Chinmaya Mission of San Jose, California