Educator's Society for the Heritage of India (ESHI)

MOTIVATION

As the Indian and Hindu American community reaches critical numbers in the United States, increasing attention is being paid to Indian and Hindu culture, heritage, traditions and philosophies in the schools, colleges and the media. Regrettably, most information about things Indian or Hindu are provided by people who come from outside of the Indian or Hindu traditions and the result is that much of such information is either inherently inaccurate or overtly offensive. Accordingly, a gathering of highly esteemed scholars, educators, religious and community leaders met at the Global Dharma Conference in Edison, NJ in July, 2003 to address the need for greater scrutiny of Indian and Hindu content in school and college curricula and in the media.

As a result of this meeting, the Educator's Society for the Heritage of India (ESHI) has been formed.

MISSION STATEMENT

To function as a network and intellectual think tank of educators, scholars and academics, to provide authoritative information and authentic resources related to India's heritage, culture, history, and languages in North America to:

• middle school, high school and college teachers, curriculum developers, textbook authors and publishers, education officials and policymakers; and
• the media, inter-faith organizations, non-profit organizations, political leaders and the public

PROPOSED PROJECTS

The following is a sample list of projects that ESHI will pursue in furtherance of its Mission Statement:

• Review of Middle School, High School and College Textbooks
  ESHI will review content in textbooks at various levels and, where appropriate, contact authors, editors and publishers to suggest changes in content.
• Seminars for Middle School and High School teachers
  Seminars to teachers to educate them sensitive and appropriate methods, resources, and tools for teaching Indian subject matter in world history, world religions, social studies or other classes. Such seminars may be conducted with cooperation of local school boards and incorporated into teachers' professional development days.
• Seminars for Students
  ESHI scholars/educators may develop educational seminars for students that may be held as extra-curricular activities at schools or college campuses
• On-Line Resources on ESHI website
  The ESHI website (www.eshi.org) under construction may include reviews of textbooks, lists of recommended and objectionable books or articles and lesson plans to assist educators in choosing appropriate reading materials and course content.
• Journal of Indian Studies
  ESHI scholars/educators may act as an editorial board of an academic journal that will solicit articles from students, scholars and educators and serve as a credible resource for Indian related information.
• Book Drive
  ESHI may adopt a fundraising program to raise funds to purchase books to be donated to school, college and local libraries.

More information on ESHI will be available in the coming weeks on the ESHI website