Cerritos, CA—The Los Angeles chapter of Friends of Hindu University of America (HUA) held its
inaugural Los Angeles Gala, a landmark event celebrating the merger of California College of
Ayurveda (CCA) with HUA, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Cerritos Sheraton hotel. The
event also honored Shri B. U. Patel's generous philanthropic gift of $1 million to HUA, made at a
formative moment in HUA’s journey in 2021.
Speaking on the occasion, in his keynote address, Dr. Marc Halpern said: ‘Thank you so much
for welcoming me into your community. The California College of Ayurveda was founded in
1995 in Nevada City, California. We have a beautiful campus up there in the foothills of the
Sierras. To bring together our journey of CCA of almost thirty years with the journey of HUA is
truly beyond words for me. We have been promoting the knowledge and principles of
Ayurveda, Yoga, and Hindu Dharma all this time. Coming together with the traditional Hindu
community is a dream beyond anything I could have imagined. This union is itself a yoga for the
benefit of humanity.’
Dr. Halpern then offered a prayer to Lord Dhanwantri and invoked his blessings on the
upcoming occasion of International Ayurveda Day. Dr. Halpern spoke about his seven-year
healing process, which led him through his personal, professional, and spiritual journey to
Ayurveda. He wondered what it would look like to bring the best of the West and the best of
the East together. He said, Vedic knowledge is the path of understanding how to create
harmony in our lives,’ adding that ‘Ayurveda holds the key to healing our communities and the
world as it goes deeper into the psyche and consciousness.’ Dr. Halpern received a standing
ovation for his remarks.
In his talk, Shri Kalyan Viswanathan, President of the Hindu University of America, said, ‘Marc is
now part of the Hindu University of America. A fundamental commitment of this merger
between HUA and CCA is the recognition of the growing Western community of spiritual but
not religious (SBNR) people in the USA, who have been nurtured in the wake of the many
teachers from India who brought Hindu thought to the US. Starting from Swami Vivekananda in
1893, Paramahamsa Yogananda in the early twentieth century, followed by Maharishi Mahesh
Yogi, Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Chidananda, Osho, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,
Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Mata Amritanandamayi, Sri Sri
Ravishankar, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, and many more have seeded ideas from Bharat in the West, resulting in this ever-growing community that is now open to Yoga, Ayurveda,
meditation, mindfulness, and spirituality in general.’
Speaking on the potential of this merger, Mr. Viswanathan spoke about the possibilities and
challenges that lay ahead, highlighting the opportunity for ‘filling the evidentiary gap in
Ayurveda that remained a stumbling block when it came to mainstreaming Ayurveda in the
West.’ He said that the ‘development of clinical studies, the publication of papers, accreditation
standards, procedures for licensure at the state levels, and securing the potential for
reimbursements from insurance companies all lay ahead in the future, as milestones yet to be
accomplished.’ He also called out the possibility of ‘defining the field of integrative medicine
from an Ayurvedic foundation, as opposed to an allopathic as yet another exciting possibility
that lay in front of us.’ Shri Kalyan Viswanathan added that ‘creating a university such as HUA is
the work of many generations. We are merely marking a significant milestone now. Many more
crucial developments in the form of other schools, centers, departments, and institutes will
emerge in the next few decades.’ He then called on the Hindu community to embrace HUA and
contribute generously towards its growth.
The highlight of the gala event was the honor bestowed on Shri B. U. Patel by Dr. Jashvant
Patel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hindu University of America, for his significant
contribution towards the growth and mission of HUA at a formative time in its journey of
rejuvenation. Dr. Jashvant Patel recalled that ‘when I took over as the Chair of the finance
committee of HUA, Shri B. U. Patel and his family were the first stop I made to ask for funds,
and the HUA family is deeply grateful to Shri B. U. Patel and Pushpaben for their invaluable
contribution to HUA. We cannot acknowledge them enough for their support.’ On behalf of the
university, Mr. and Mrs. B U Patel were warmly felicitated with the ‘Dharma Rakshaka’ award
inscribed on a plaque. Shri Naresh Solanki, the Mayor of Cerritos, presented a proclamation
from the city honoring the Hindu University of America for its contribution, Shri B. U. Patel for
his philanthropic gifts that have made a significant impact on society, and Dr. Marc Halpern,
who has served the Ayurveda community in the West for nearly three decades. This was
followed by a beautiful four-minute video presentation of Shri B. U. Patel and Pushpaben’s life
and accomplishments. The short film covered their early days in India, their initial venture into
Africa, their emigration to the USA in 1976, and their extraordinary business success in the
West. However, the film's highlight was the selfless philanthropic work they have focused on
for the last quarter century, which has sown so many seeds that will impact millions of people
for generations to come, both in India and the West.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Jashvant Patel added, As allopathic doctors, we know that we
can heal people fast, but Ayurveda excels in providing long-term health. Medical communities
globally recognize the value of integrative medicine today, especially that of Ayurveda.
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, on
September 22, and he received the news about the merger of our two institutions with great
enthusiasm. He gave us the responsibility to authenticate Ayurveda using modern methods of
science and promised the support of the Government of India for our efforts.’
The décor was Diwali-themed. Attendees had the opportunity to celebrate Hindu culture,
support HUA's mission of preserving and promoting Hindu traditions, and network with like-
minded individuals. The event featured various cultural activities, including a live Bhakti music
performance by the renowned duo Ashwin (AKS) & Lakshmi, an exhibition of Hindu-themed
paintings and art provided by Shri Srinivas Rao Mangu, and devotional music on the keyboard
during lunch by Aniketh Arun, a young and upcoming musician.
About Hindu University of America (HUA):
Hindu University of America (HUA) is an upcoming university offering an extensive curriculum in
the knowledge systems rooted in Hindu thought, including its philosophy, culture, Sanskrit,
yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and more. HUA equips students with deep insights into Hindu
culture and traditions and their contemporary relevance in the modern world.
For more information about Hindu University of America, please visit the university website at
www.hua.edu or contact us at info@hua.edu.