History of Brahmin Samaj of USA.

Brahmin Samaj of USA, the premier and pioneering organization of the Brahmins in the United States is celebrating its glorious 20^th Anniversary in this 2008^th year. It is very interesting and inspiring to record the history of BSOU highlighting its formation, growth and accomplishments in those 20 eventful years. Many visionary dynamic, dedicated and committed Brahmin leaders have contributed immensely in promoting and progressing BSOU to this stage. We would like to salute them.

Many of you may not know how the Brahmin Samaj of USA concept was initiated in the year 1987-88 in New York, New Jersey region. In spite of many hurdles in the past 20 years, BSOU has emerged as one of the most dynamic and outstanding Brahmin Organizations in the United States. Late Manibhai Joshi, founding President, in conjunction with Trivedis had started this organization with initially 11 members. Two meeting were held, one at 41A Irving Street, Jersey City, New Jersey (home of Bhagavatbhai Pandya) and second at 28 Cleveland Avenue, Nutley, New Jersey (home of Dilip Pandya) to canvas the support for this newly formed Brahmin organization and to enroll new members.

This emerging organization held its first large scale successful Janoi Grahan event in 1988 at Hare Krishna Temple, Towaco, New Jersey which was conducted by Shri Pravinbhai Shastrji (Mehta). At this event twenty two courageous and proud Brahmins  – Bhatt’s, Daves, Janis, Joshis, Mehtas, Pandyas, Purohits, Ravals, Shuklas, Trivedis, Triparthis, Vaidyas, Vyas, Upadhyays, and other  family members joined BSOU at that historic and monumental beginning of the organization. They started the ball rolling by encouraging other Brahmins to become an active member in BSOU. Late Shri Ramanbhai Bhatt, Late Shashidhar Dave, Late Prakash Pandit, Late Prabhakar Shukla, Prafulbhai and Pravinbhai Bhatt, Khishorebhai, Babubhai, Jayendra, Mukundbhai and Rajanikantbhai Joshi, Sudhirbahi and Mahendra Trivedi, Dhirenbhai, Hariprashadbhai, Bhogilalbhai and Maheshbhai Jani, Ashokbhai Purohit, Arvind Bhatt, Maheshbhai Upadhyay, Nitinbhai Vaidya, Pravinbhai Vyas, Rameshbhai, Dhimant and Dilip Pandya, Abhay Shukla and many other Brahmins contributed greatly in blossoming BSOU with glory. Their dedication, commitment and encouragement to other Brahmin leaders have continued to strengthen BSOU. Brahmin Samaj of USA has the distinction to receive the highly qualified, rich and dynamic leadership from nine Presidents. Founder President Late Shri Manibhai Joshi, Arunbhai Kantharia, Pramodaben Joshi, Bagavatbhai Pandya, Rasikbhai Bhatt, Vishnubhai Bhatt, Dr Hitendra Upadhyay, Naishad Pandya and currently Bhogilal Jani. Also two tier leadership comprising board of Trustees and Executive Committee members have provided valueable experience, expertise and diversified resources, their talents and superb co-ordination in the rapid growth and success of BSOU. The current BSOU membership exceeding 500 families from 22 is the testimony of their efforts. The membership is extended to all 50 states of USA, Canada and overseas countries. Also BSOU is fortunate in receiveing strong financial perennial support from Ghanshyambhai Bhatt, Kiranbahi Dave, Arvindbhai Bhatt, Kishorebhai Joshi, Devendrabhai and Bharatbhai Trivedi, Bhogilal Jani, Nitin Vyas, Ashwin Pandya, Sunil Nayak, Pinakin Pathak, Rahul Shukla, Mahendra Ashra and many more as well as Non-Brahmins stalwarts and well known philanthropists H. R. Shah, Dr. Navin Mehta, Girish Soni, etc.

In 1989 BSOU was registered in New Jersey as the official Brahmin Organization. In 1991 at Vrajbhoomi, Pennsylvania BSOU organized the first Samooh Yagnopavit program to include seven Batuks and more than 700 people attended this trend-setting program.

Youth Group activities under the dynamic Nailesh Bhatt accelerated at the quadruple pace during Summer Picnics and youth gatherings. BSOU also recognized outstanding Brahmin Students and Brahmin talents during these events. Subsequently, Nailesh Bhatt, has become an everlasting personality in coordinating series of Shubh Milans – a platform for the marriageable young boys and girls to seek their life partners - “Charity begins at Home”- Nailesh personified this proverb by finding his own sole mate from earlier such Shubh Milan.

From 1991 to 1996 BSOU also participated in the world famous “India Day” Parades organized every August by FIA in New York City with colorful floats displaying Lord Shiva, marching with the BSOU banner etc. Incidentally the most resourceful, highly talented community leader and current Chairman of Board of Trustees of BSOU, Chandrakant Trivedi, has the distinction to become FIA President (1998-99) and welcome Hon. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at the gala reception held in New York City (1998).

BSOU conceptualized and organized first trend setting successful Shubh Milan under the Presidentship of Vishnubhai Bhatt under the helms of Mrs. Padmaben Vaidya and committee members in the year 1999. Since then Shubh Milan event has become the signature song of not only BSOU but also at all Brahmin Annual Conventions.

BSOU traditionally hosts Maha Shivratri, Summer Picnic, Nutan Yagnopavit Dharan, Shubh Milan and Diwali Celebrations every year and the increase in our attendance inspires us to stage better and bigger celebrations.

BSOU successfully hosted two ambitious and superlative All Brahmin Conventions in the year 2001 and 2006, at Ramada Inn, North Brunswick, NJ. Both the events with superb team work, metropolitan fever and state of the art technique of Nailesh Bhatt in Shubh Milan, incredible brochures and presence of luminaries like Pujya Indaribetiji, Guruji Laxmikantbhai Purohit, Ram Ram Tripathi, Congressman Stephen Rothman and Frank Pallone, Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula and others have established great reputation for BSOU.

This 20^th anniversary earmarks the accomplishments of BSOU in past 20 years and also encourages youth to come forward and help BSOU in preserving and promoting rich Brahmin Culture and religious heritage worldwide. The entire Executive Body headed by Chandrakant Trivedi (Chairman), Bhogilal Jani (President and entire team is working hard to make it a tremendous success. BSOU also would like to gratefully note the superb visionary dynamic leadership of Shri Chittranjanbhai Jyotishi (Atlanta, Georgia) in inspiring to host successfully All Brahmin Conventions annually by various Brahmin Chapters. BSOU is indeed very grateful to Bhagavatbhai and Naishad Pandya for their continued leadership and guidance in re-establishing BSOU as the prime Brahmin Organization.

It is also a matter of great pride for all Brahmins that Mrs. Sunita Williams (Pandya) daughter of Dr. Deepakbhai and Bani Pandya brought worldwide laurels for her heroic 6 months trip in the space, orbiting the earth and accomplishing all assigned tasks and glorifying our Brahmin community.

BSOU is also happy to note that our association has become the torch bearer in inspiring New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Florida Brahmins to start their own organizations.

For past several years under the chairmanship of Chandrakant Trivedi and Presidency of Naishad Pandya and the team work of the entire executive body BSOU was able to generate substantial revenues to swell BSOU treasury.

At the end , let us salute Shrimad Shankaracharyaji – the best known symbol of Brahmin’s Supremacy, Swami Vivekanand – the best known Universal Sadhu and Pundit for inspiring generations after generations and reminding us to “Awake, Arise and stop not till the goal is reached”.

Preparing the long history of BSOU is not an easy task. However, unknowingly and unintentionally we might have missed to recognize or even forgotten to mention any members for their role, contribution to BSOU but who still continue to provide unending help and guidance to BSOU please acknowledge our earnest thanks and excuse us for an honest oversight.

Om Namah Shivayi

By Dilip Pandya.

Former Chairman of Board of Trustees