Local Hindu Community Celebrates Educators with Heartfelt Guru Vandana

On May 17, the San Ramon chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and its youth wing hosted “Guru Vandana,” a heartfelt teacher appreciation event at the Dougherty Station Community Center in San Ramon from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. HSS, a nonprofit socio-cultural Hindu organization with over 235 chapters across 164 cities in 34 states, promotes civic duty, community service, volunteerism, and selfless service through initiatives like Diwali food drives, the “Health for Humanity” yogathon, and backpack drives for local students in need.

In Hindu tradition, Guru Vandana—devotional reverence for teachers—honors educators as pillars of personal and societal growth. This event allowed HSS San Ramon’s youth to express gratitude to their teachers, recognizing their role in shaping compassionate, responsible individuals.

Twenty teachers from schools including Walt Disney Elementary, Coyote Creek Elementary, Murray Elementary, Lotus Montessori, Quail Run Elementary, Building Kidz-San Ramon, Nrityalaya, Tot-Ally Preschool, Pine Valley Middle, Iron Horse Middle, California High School, and Monte Vista High School attended. The event featured cultural performances, speeches, and activities celebrating the profound impact of educators. Teachers and their families immersed themselves in Hindu cultural practices, exploring traditions and values rooted in thousands of years of history.

All attending teachers shared remarks, expressing appreciation for the recognition. One teacher, from a family of educators, said, “I’m deeply honored to be part of this event. The love and respect shown here are truly heartwarming, and it’s uplifting to see such appreciation for our work.”

The event also announced winners of an art competition for children in K–3 and 4–8 divisions, open to the entire community. With strong participation, winners received trophies and certificates, adding a celebratory note to the day.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks from the organizers, expressing gratitude to the teachers and contributors who made the event a success. “Guru Vandana” reflects HSS San Ramon’s commitment to fostering education, cultural awareness, and community engagement, reinforcing the value of teachers in building a brighter future.