August 10, 2016: A Hindu Indian has been appointed as the first director at Georgetown University in USA, for the department of Hindu Life. Due to an increasing number of Hindu students in the university, Brahmachari Vrajvihari Sharan has also been given the recognition of the first Hindu Chaplain of the United States.
Brahmachari Sharan was earlier an honorary Hindu Chaplain at the University of Edinburgh, since 2010. He will now serve as chaplain-in-residence at Georgetown's, also as a priest in residence to students from New South Hall, reported ndtv.com. The university, established in 1789, is open to all students regardless of their caste and creed.
"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Brahmachari Vrajvihari Sharan as Georgetown's first full-time Director for Hindu Life and the first Hindu priest chaplain in the United States," Rev Howard Gray, Interim Vice President for Mission and Ministry at the university said to ndtv.com.
Follow NewsGram on Facebook
Brahmachari Sharan was appointed by the University because of his bond with the students on the basis of religious vibrancy, keeping in mind that there are around 400 Hindu students and professors in the university.
Mr. Sharan has been serving as a senior monk at Shri Golok Dham Ashram in India since 2003. He has also acquired official training for rituals at Vishwanath Sanyaas Ashram (in Varanasi and Delhi, India). A doctorate holder in Sanskrit himself, Sharan taught the subject of Asian Religions at Wales' Cardiff University. Besides that, he has also served as a senior teacher at the University of London.
According to the ndtv.com reports, Georgetown University has also had a Hindu chaplain in the past. In November 2015, Pratima Sharam was appointed as the first Hindu chaplain who resigned after three months of service. "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Brahmachari Vrajvihari Sharan as Georgetown's first full-time Director for Hindu Life and the first Hindu priest chaplain in the United States," said Rev Howard Gray, Interim Vice President for Mission and Ministry at the university.
"I look forward to meeting each one of you wonderful, dynamic students when you return. In the meantime feel free to message me with any questions, or just say hi! If you're already on campus," said Sharan while addressing his students.
– prepared by Chetna Karnani, at NewsGram. Twitter: @karnani_chetna
ALSO READ: