Komal Luthra, left, and Raj Salhotra, right, two leaders of the Hindu Youth Council, shown at the Arya Samaj Greater Houston & Vedic Culture Center, 14375 Schiller Rd., Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Houston.
Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 19, 2018 (Houston Chronicle): For Vijay Pallod, a board member of the Hindus of Greater Houston, attracting young people to his organization was sometimes a struggle. “It’s always hard to find youth,” he said. “We wanted to have our own youth council. We want to unite all the Hindu youth across Houston. We’ve been trying for a long time.” But those efforts appear to have paid off especially after Komal Luthra came on board as an intern and now, Young Hindus of Greater Houston is a reality. Pallod said the Hindus of Greater Houston now hosts youth awards and has held a Hindu camp for children in the city. This past year, 435 students registered to attend. The group of young Hindu adults is inviting general members to join. Membership is open to individuals ages 18 to 40.
Luthra was interested in connecting young adults in the Hindu community. Her vision included fostering the culture and religion of the group, as well as providing opportunities for networking and leadership. She started working with Raj Salhotra, 27, who serves as president of the Young Hindus of Greater Houston. He jumped at the opportunity to get involved. Salhotra hopes to see membership grow quickly and for members to feel more connected to the Hindu community and each other. “And most importantly, we can do some good,” he said. He and Luthra plan to get the group together to volunteer with local organizations like Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank, as well as focusing on mentorship opportunities. Pallod is convinced that the young Hindu adults can make a major difference. “There are 125,000 Hindus in Houston,” he said. “There are a lot of youth interested in working together and volunteering.”