Berkeley, CA, May 21, 2024 – The Motwani-Jadeja Foundation proudly supports the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) and the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA. This collaboration marks a significant milestone by introducing the first seven interreligious Hindu Chaplains, who will be ambassadors of spiritual wellness and community service.

These chaplains bring the richness of the Hindu tradition to the forefront, addressing the urgent need for spiritual care in today’s society. In response to the rising levels of loneliness and declining mental health, they aim to enhance the quality of life for all communities through their dedicated service. The Motwani-Jadeja Foundation’s support will enable the development of essential community service solutions and provide a robust platform for training and universal community service grounded in Hindu tradition and wisdom.

Asha Jadeja Motwani, founder of the Motwani-Jadeja Foundation, stated, “We are thrilled to support this pioneering initiative. By integrating Hindu spiritual care into various sectors, we can address critical issues of mental health and well-being in our communities. These chaplains embody the Hindu tradition’s compassionate and inclusive spirit, and we believe their work will profoundly impact society.”

Meet the First Seven Interreligious Hindu Chaplains

UNITED STATES

Ms. Neeti Soota
MS, Tech executive, plans to serve at hospitals and universities.

Ms. Usha Narasimhan
MBA, is a finance executive who plans to serve in hospitals.

Ms. Bindu Gupta
MS, Teacher, plans to serve at universities.

Ms. Varsha Kaushal
PhD, is a scientist and professor who plans to serve in healthcare settings.

CANADA

Pandit Jagjiwan R. Gossai
MSc, IT instructor, plans to serve at universities and within the community.

AUSTRALIA

Ms. Nisha Singh
PhD, is a health scientist who plans to serve in healthcare settings and local interfaith communities.

Ms. Madhuri Reddy Velagala
PhD, is a nutritionist who plans to serve local community members, healthcare providers, and educational institutions.

These pioneering chaplains exemplify the commitment to integrating Hindu spiritual care into various sectors, fostering a holistic approach to well-being and community support.

Graduate Theological Union (GTU): A Hub of Interreligious Scholarship

The GTU is the most comprehensive center for graduate study of religion in North America. It emphasizes interreligious and interdisciplinary perspectives, engaging with the world’s great religions and wisdom traditions in contemporary contexts. The GTU educates innovative leaders for academia, religious organizations, and the nonprofit sector, equipping scholars with critical thinking, ethical frameworks, compassionate values, and spiritual foundations necessary for building a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. https://gtu.edu

Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI): a Unique Service-Learning Institution

Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) is the first-of-its-kind service-learning institution designed for the global Hindu diaspora. HSCI is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) that provides a strong platform for training and universal community service founded on Hindu tradition and wisdom. https://hsciglobal.org