Hindu Camp helps keep cultural traditions alive on P.E.I.
When Nitheen Rao came to Canada, he missed the cultural events he used to enjoy in India — and wanted his children and others to be able to experience that in P.E.I.
Rao helped establish P.E.I.'s first Hindu temple in March, and earlier this week he helped organize a Heritage Hindu Camp to share culture and traditions.
Growing up, he was part of a group that offered that experience. He showed up every day, right on time, to learn leadership, public speaking and social skills.
The camp he helped organize wasn't as strict as what he remembers from his childhood, but he says it will help him share some of his upbringing with his children and others in the Hindu community.
Camps like this are already available in other provinces, including Nova Scotia, and the Hindu Society of P.E.I. brought in volunteers from Halifax to help.
The inaugural session was held on Tuesday.
Creating a connection with Hindu culture
Rekha Chaudhary, a volunteer with the Hindu Society who moved to Canada in 2022 with her family after living in the U.S., said she is happy to help make events like these happen.
"Yoga is the best thing. Exercise, yoga … just keeps our body fit, and our mind as well," she said.
She also wants to make sure her daughter has a connection with Hindu culture.
"We want to make sure they know of our community. They are in North America, and we're far from our family, our culture."
Rao says the turnout has been pretty good, with a mix of adults and kids coming out.
"It's important to teach our kids to understand and learn our culture."
Fun for kids with new games
Rao has two children, Aadi Shiva Rao and Raahi Rao, who attended the camp on Tuesday. He says they enjoyed it.
Raahi, 7, says his favourite thing about the day was the meditation.
"It keeps your mind calm and helps you be concentrated," he said.
Participants do meditative yoga to kick off the Heritage Hindu Camp session. (Josefa Cameron/CBC)
Rehka's daughter, Reba Chaudhary, says she liked the games.
"We were playing tag, and when someone tags, we have to go up the middle, or you can stay at your spot," said the five-year-old.
She says she's learning new games at the camp.
Camps to be held monthly
Nitheen says there aren't a lot of opportunities like this for children in the Island's Hindu community, and this will help.
Depending on interest, Nitheen said they'd like to hold the camp weekly, but they're starting with monthly sessions for now.
