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How long have members of the Asian Indian community lived in Central Pennsylvania?
The first Asian Indians came to the Central Pennsylvania area around 1956. Since then the Asian Indian community has been growing rapidly. The population in the nine counties has risen from 1369 in 1980 to 2061 in 1990, and then doubled by 2000 to reach 4178. Most Asian Indian immigrants came to both this area and the United States after 1965 when the immigration law eliminated national quotas (Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups, page. 296).

What are residence patterns of the Asian Indian community in the 9 county area?

Asian Indian population 1980 1990 2000

Adams County 12 35 87

Cumberland County 347 557 1,036

Dauphin County 352 471 1,142

Franklin County 49 71 143

Lancaster County 244 427 861

Lebanon County 81 100 165

Perry County 11 0 14

York County 273 400 711

Members of the Asian Indian community live all throughout the area, in particular in such townships and towns as Lancaster, Hampden twp., Susquehanna twp., Lower Paxton twp., Swatara, Mechanicsburg and Camp Hill. Only a few Indian families live in Perry County. In 1990, the Harrisburg/ Lebanon/Carlisle area contained the 86th largest Asian Indian population in the United States.
(http://206.20.14.67/achal/archive/Aug98/population.htm)

The second largest body of international students at Penn State University, 667 students, comes from India. These students from India make up 17% of the international students at Penn State.
characteristics_nationality.html

How has living in the US changed Indian life and culture?
Immigrants from India have brought with them a diverse range of cultural traditions reflecting the complex cultural and linguistic landscape of their home country. Like other immigrant communities, Indians have preserved some of these traditions in the American setting and have adjusted their lives and customs to the local environment. The members of the younger generation of Indian immigrants want to fit in with their friends at school and so they often adopt many of the local cultural traditions. Native Indian language skills appear to decline by the second generation. While the first generation can speak 2 or more Indian languages, the second generation can often only understand and not speak Indian languages.

Diverse Background/Shared culture
Even though the language is sometimes lost, many cultural traditions are retained and sometimes even added. People from many regions of India have settled in this area and while they were part of separate communities in India following separate customs and traditions, in America they have all come together to form one community. Because of this, many of the traditions have been shared, and Asian Indians who came from one region end up participating in the cultural traditions of other regions as well as of their own. One example of this is the celebration of the New Year. People from southern India, northern India, and Bengal in western India all celebrate the New Year on different dates. Here, the Hindu American Religious Institute holds three different New Year celebrations and people from all three regions celebrate each one together. Also, for social activities the Muslim and the Hindu members of the Asian Indian community join together to participate as one community.

Family life
In traditional Indian culture, brothers and their families lived together as extended family (Harvard Encyclopedia…299). Sons would remain in their parents' homes after their marriage and daughters would move in with their husbands and mother/father-in-law after the wedding. In these extended families, the younger members show deference to their elders. This pattern often has not been maintained in the US where most Indian families live in urban areas, and therefore households remain smaller (Harvard Encyclopedia…299) Another change in family life since moving to the United States is that while divorce still is not prevalent, it is more common than it was in India.

What are the languages spoken by Asian Indians in America?
All of the languages of India are represented in the eight county area. Many members of the first generation of Asian Indians to come to the area are able to speak at least two and sometimes three or more of those languages. Even with the knowledge of multiple languages, because of the amount of linguistic diversity, English is often the only way for members of the Indian community from different areas in India to speak with one another.

There are 16 languages recognized by the Constitution of India, as well as others spoken by different groups, and hundreds of regional dialects. In all there are about 26 distinct languages. National or official languages are: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English (Associate Official). These languages belong to language families such as Indo-Aryan and Dravidian, and some are derived from or influenced by Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas. Some Indo-Aryan languages are Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Oriya, Mewati, Malvi, Marwari, and Jaipuri. Dravidian languages include - Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. Telugu and Kachchhi are influenced by Sanskrit and Western Pahari is derived from Sanskrit and Prakrit. The Buddhist population in India generally speaks Tibetan.

What are the religions followed by Asian Indians in America?
According a member of the local Asian Indian community, the immigrants who are now coming to the area or have come in recent years are not as religious as the immigrants who came before them. Children are also becoming more secular than their parents. There are, however, still many Asian Indians who do follow their religious traditions from India.

Hinduism
About 60% of the Asian Indians in this area are Hindu. They worship at the Hindu American Religious Institute (HARI). Many Hindu families also have prayer rooms in their homes where they perform services. Hinduism is the major religion of India, and it is followed by 80% of the people. One of the oldest continuous world religions, it can trace its roots back to the third millennium BCE in the Indus valley. Around 1500 BCE, the nomadic Indo-Aryans brought to India aspects of Hinduism such as the caste system with Brahmins (priests) at the top, elaborate rituals of sacrifice, and the Vedas (coming from the root "to know"), which were liturgical utterances and later texts for the Brahmins to perform ritual sacrifices. The religion is open to all and contains no secret rites. Hinduism is mostly egalitarian and any religious service performed by a married person is not complete unless the couple offers it together.

Hindus abstain from killing living creatures for food, though they sometimes find eating eggs, fish, or even occasionally meat, necessarily in modern urban American life (Harvard Encyclopedia…300). In Hindu ideology, there is one God who is formless and omnipotent and has three functions - Brahma, creator; Vishnu, provider; and Shiva, dissolver of evil.

View the profile of the Hindu American Religious Institute (HARI Temple) of New Cumberland on the website of the Harvard University Pluralism Project.

Buddhism
Buddhism is followed by very small numbers of Asian Indians in the area. The religion was established around 500 BCE in India by Guatama the Buddha. Buddhism questioned the authority of the Vedas and the Brahmins, condemned excessive ritualism in religion, stressed ahimsa (non-violence) and along with Jainism, introduced the monastic conception of life to India (http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/paths/Buddhism.html).

Sikhism
There are about 10-15 Asian Indian Sikh families in the area. Some worship at the HARI temple in New Cumberland since it is a universal temple and since there is no Sikh temple in the area. For major events many go to the Gurudwara temple in Washington, D.C. Sikhism was founded in 1469 by Guru Nanek Dev and is now the 5th largest religion in the world. The religion's values include devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind, and abandonment of superstitions and blind rituals (http://www.sikhs.org/). Sikhs prefer a vegetarian diet, though there are no specific prohibitions against meat in the religion.

Islam
There are about 150-200 Asian Indian families in the area who practice Islam. They worship at masjids (mosques) in the area, some for prayer five times a day, and most for the mandated salat ul-Jumah, communal prayers, at mid-day on Fridays. Children go to the masjids to further their religious education. Another function of the masjids is to serve as a place for social events and to host speakers on topics relating to the religion of Islam and of interest to the community. Most of the Muslims from India and Pakistan go to the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg (ISGH).
Muslims believe in one all-powerful God who is the God of all human beings and sent revelations through the prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all the other prophets mentioned in the Bible, and then sent the final message through the prophet Muhammad. The religious duties of practicing Muslims include Imam (faith in God), Salat (prayer five times a day), Zakat (giving money to the needy), the fast of Ramadan, and the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. There is also a prohibition against eating pork.

View the profile of the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg on the website of the Harvard University Pluralism Project.

What are health care issues that affect the Asian Indian community?
The language barrier is always an issue with new immigrants to an area who speak minimal English. Other issues are that some women object to examination by a male physician and the fact that in America, terminal illness is discussed directly with the patient, but in India it is only discussed with the family members, not the patient. Hindu patients often wish to be clearheaded as death approaches, in acceptance of God's will, and this should be taken into account when administering painkillers or other types of treatment.

Indian immigrants may have their own non-Western medical practices. Islamic medical practices (unani tibbi), a composite of Arabic medicine, homeopathic systems, and regional and local health practices have long been a medical tradition of India. Traditional Ayurveda medical practices focus on prevention of illness. In rural areas, almost all the people use allopathic medicine. In India, Western medicine is only one type of medical system, but in America immigrant families often adopt the Western medical practices of the U.S. (Harvard Encyclopedia…300).

What kinds of foods are eaten in Asian Indian households?
Food is a part of Indian culture that has transferred to America. Much of the foods eaten in Indian households are traditional, though some members of the Hindu community who were religiously vegetarians have now found eating eggs, fish, or even occasionally meat, necessary in modern urban American life. Types of food that families traditionally eat are unleavened white bread (chapati or roti), vegetables, fruits, yogurt-based food, and curries (Harvard Encyclopedia…300). Different areas of India have different traditional foods and ways of cooking and this has transferred over to the U.S. as well.

How are the younger generations of Asian Indians educated about their heritage in America and in Central Pennsylvania?
Many of the Indian traditions are being forgotten by newer immigrants and by the younger generation, especially those born in America. In order to keep the traditions alive, Asian Indians in the area have created a number of organizations. The Hindu American Religious Institute (HARI) in New Cumberland offers Sunday school classes on the Hindu religion and it also teaches five Indian languages - Hindi, which is the national language, as well as Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, and Malayalam. People can also take lessons on Indian classical dance, and yoga on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. The HARI also holds 11-12 religious programs a year.
The Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania (AIA) brings people together for social and cultural learning. Asian Indians from all religions and regions of India come together to take part in this organization's cultural events.

There are also subculture-based and regional groups that teach traditions from India. The largest group is the Gujarati Samaj, and this group involves about 1,200-1,300 of the Asian Indians in the area. This group's mission is to keep the culture of the Gujurati region of India alive. It holds 4 or 5 major functions a year as well as events like picnics, musical performances, and hosts people from India.

What elements of diversity are there within the Asian Indian community?
Because of its long history that spans over 6000 years, India has developed great diversity within its culture. There are many religions and sub-religions. There are also 14 languages and 100 regional dialects. This has transferred to the U.S. In central Pennsylvania, all of the languages and many of the religions are represented.

Most of the Indian population in the area follows Hinduism. There are also about two-dozen families with a Christian background from India as well as around 200 Muslim families from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. There are also about 10-15 Sikh families. Despite the many religious traditions and languages spoken by member of the community, all facets of the Asian Indian community come together for social activities.

What impact has the Asian Indian community had on US/Pennsylvania culture?
Many traditional Indian customs and cultural practices have gained importance in American culture. American musicians have adopted Asian Indian musical instruments such as the tabla and the sitar, which was made popular by George Harrison of the Beatles. Indian musicians are also popular in America. Ravi Shankar's albums can be found in many American households and he has won two Grammys. Indian Americans are also excelling in other areas of the arts. The director and writer of the very popular movie, "The Sixth Sense," M. Night Shyamalan, is from India and Indian-American author Bharati Mukherjee won the National Book Critics Circle in 1988 for The Middleman and Other Stories. Indian-Americans have also left their mark on the sciences - Kalpana Chawla is an aerospace engineer who, as a member of the Columbia Space Shuttle, was the first Indian American astronaut in space.

Many Americans are fascinated with Asian Indian concepts of spirituality. Paramahansa Yogananda founded The Self Realization Fellowship in order to spread the teachings of India's ancient philosophies of yoga and meditation throughout the US; yoga has now become extremely popular. Vegetarianism, which is important to the Hindu and Buddhist religions, is increasingly popular in America. Hinduism and Gandhi's principles of nonviolence have become ideals espoused by American thinkers and activists such as Martin Luther King Jr.

Fashion trends such as toe rings, anklets, and bangle bracelets carry religious significance in India - women must wear them when they get married. Models and rock stars, like Gwen Stephani, as well as trendy young women have been sighted wearing bindhi, a little dot of red pigment, which is worn on the forehead by married Indian women. Mehendi, or henna tattoos, which are an important part of Hindu rituals, most notably the marriage ritual and used to beautify the hands, wrists, and feet of the bride, are now very popular in America, and mendhi salons can be found in cities and especially on boardwalks by the beach. Nose-rings, which are also popular among young Americans, are traditional for Indian women.

What are the Indian community's programs and organizations open to the public where people can learn about Indian culture or that promote positive inter-group relations?
The Hindu American Religious Institute, or HARI temple, is located in New Cumberland on 301 Stigerwalt Road. The temple is open to anyone who wishes to visit or to join. The phone number is (717) 774-7750.

The Asian American Indians of Central Pennsylvania (AIACPA) is a nonpolitical, social and cultural organization of Asian Indian Americans living or having ties with central Pennsylvania. It helps not only helps maintain Indian culture but also helps the Indian community mix with the community at large. The organization gets involved in charities, serves food at the Bethesda Mission, gets involved in cases of discrimination, brings together American and Indian businessmen, and sends delegations from American companies to India as well as inviting delegations from Indian companies to America, among other things. For more information, contact Deep Gupta, President at (717) 732-5971 or email him at AIA93@hotmail.com.

The Gandhi-King Peace Coalition was founded by Deep Gupta to promote non-violence through the models of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. The Coalition provides training, educational seminars, and workshops on nonviolence throughout the year. Annual events include a Nonviolence day on Oct. 2 where rallies have been held since 1996 at the Forum in Harrisburg, at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, and at York College in York. The Coalition also sponsors an essay contest for students to write essays about nonviolence. For more information about this organization contact Rodney N. Brooks, President by email at Nonviolence@DCRADAR.org.

All programs that are sponsored by the Asian Indian community are open to the public. Occasionally there is an admission charge, but usually there is not.

Commercial Establishments
Passage to India Restaurant
The Holiday Inn
525 S. Front St.
Harrisburg, Pa 17105
Phone: (717) 233-1202

India Groceries and Fashions
2650 Walnut St.
Harrisburg, Pa 17103
Phone: (717) 236-5362.

Speakers and Contact info.
Speaker: Sirineel Kaur Khalsa
Availability: will arrange schedule
Cost: donation requested
Topics: general principles of Sikh faith
will give demonstrations of songs
represent Kulsa Council International, the governing body of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere

Speaker: Manmeet Singh
Topics: perspective of Indian Sikh community
Contact: (717) 761-6363

For further reading…
If you would like to learn more, check out the following books and websites:

Williams, Raymond Brady. Religions of Immigrants from India and Pakistan: New Threads in the American Tapestry , Cambridge University Press, 1988.

Matlins, Stuart M. and Arthur J. Magida. How to be a Perfect Stranger, Vol. 2: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies. Jewish Lights Publishing, Vermont; 1997.

http://www.sikhnet.com/

3211 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-1342
phone: 717.238.1770
fax: 717.238.3336