South Asian Engagement Foundation
The South Asian Engagement Foundation is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to create large format “content driven experiences & opportunities” to showcase the Indian heritage, the contribution of the Indian American community and in turn engage people across age groups & demographics.
#IndiaOnWTC #AzadiKaAmritMahotsavWTC #IndianAmericansWTC
A Homage to the
Impact of the
Indian Americans
On the 75th anniversary of India as a nation, The South Asian Engagement Foundation (SAEF) is highlighting the rich cultural impact of the Indian American community. SAEF has collaborated with One World Trade Center to display three nights of three animated digital murals showcasing how distinct aspects of Indian culture are fast becoming an integral part of American life.
Today, there are over 4.2 million Indian Americans in the US. Despite being only about 1.4% of the US population, roots from the Indian heritage have found their way into mainstream American culture–examples include a strong educational tradition, the study of Yoga, and even Ayurveda to name a few.
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Indian Americans are the highest educated, and one of the most affluent demographic groups in the country. This should be no surprise considering the dominance they exhibit in brain sport tournaments, such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee and the South Asian Spelling Bee, hosted by SAEF, as well as their presence in highly specialized professions such as astronomy, medicine, and technology. It is noteworthy that:
Strong
Educational
Tradition
27 of the last 35 winners of the Scripps Spelling Bee were of Indian origin.
From the lead to the chief engineer, Indian Americans were in critical positions for NASA’s Mars mission. On the other hand, India was the only country to be successful in its first attempt while doing it on a shoestring budget.
1 out of every 10 doctors serving in the US is of Indian origin, and India provides the largest number of international medical graduates to the US.
1 in every 10 tech workers in the US is of Indian origin and 1 in every 3 startups has an Indian American co-founder.
Today, Indian Americans have proven to be influential leaders in many industries, sitting at the CEO helm of many Fortune 100 companies.
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Yoga:
From Ancient India
to US Parks
Yoga was first mentioned in Rigveda as a system of physical, mental, and spiritual exercises. In recent times, it has quickly gained popularity across the globe, especially for its ability to promote better mental health and mindfulness.
Over 36 million people practice yoga in the US. Today, this ancient practice that involves physical poses, concentration, and deep breathing is practiced in parks, studios, and gyms in every corner of the country.
In this animation we depict the universal acceptance of the ancient Indian wellness ritual of Yoga!
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AyurvedA:
From Haldi Doodh
to Turmeric Latte
The ancient science of Ayurveda has been traditionally practiced in India for thousands of years, but is only now beginning to find a footing amongst physicians, nutritionists, and health experts in the US to promote leading a healthier life.
Indian spices and herbs, such as turmeric and Ashwagandha are now sought after ingredients due to their health benefits. Tonics, teas, lattes, and other beverages made with these ingredients have become highly consumed among Americans.
In this animation we show how the common practice of drinking Halldi-Doodh (Turmeric Milk) has manifested itself into the much sought after “Turmeric Latte”.