The Sacred Pens of Dharma event, held at the Sri Lakshmi Temple, brought together authors, community leaders, and families for an inspiring celebration of Hindu storytelling, culture, and values through literature for children and young readers. It was cosponsored by the New England Hindu Temple (NEHTI) and the Hindu Parents Network. The panel featured Ranjani Saigal, Pavitra Giridharan and Sunayana Kachroo.
The event opened with a warm welcome from trustee Anil Saigal, who greeted attendees on behalf of the temple and highlighted the importance of nurturing Dharmic values in the next generation.
Beautifully moderated by Latha Narayanan, a volunteer at Sri Lakshmi temple, the session stood out for its engaging and interactive format. She skillfully drew the audience into the conversation, encouraging thoughtful dialogue between the authors and attendees, making the event both insightful and participatory.
Representatives from the Hindu Parents Network and COHNA, including core team members Jay and Swathi Mehta along with local team lead Rajeshwari Godbole, introduced their organizations and shared their mission of supporting Hindu families and preserving cultural identity through education and advocacy.
The highlight of the event was the authors’ panel, where each writer shared their unique creative journey and the inspiration behind their work:
* Ranjani Saigal spoke about her book My First Om, a gentle introduction for young children. She emphasized the simplicity and profound significance of “Om” as a foundational spiritual sound that children can easily learn and connect with.
* Pavitra Giridharan presented Galivanting with Ganesha, a lively and imaginative story crafted in the spirit of the Magic Tree House series, designed to engage middle school readers while introducing them to Hindu traditions in an accessible way.
* Sunayana Kachroo shared insights into her book The Book That Saved Me , which blends history with timeless teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, offering young readers meaningful life lessons through visual storytelling.
The event concluded with a book signing session, where attendees had the opportunity to interact personally with the authors. The audience expressed deep appreciation for the thoughtful and culturally rich collection of books, noting that these works are a valuable addition to the literary landscape for Hindu American children.
Sacred Pens of Dharma successfully highlighted the growing need for authentic, engaging, and age-appropriate Hindu literature, and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to preserving and sharing Dharmic wisdom with future generations.
