Hindu Family Honoured for Upholding Family Values

December 10, 2002

.. Hindu Family Honored for Upholding Family Values

Source: New Jersey Media Group

BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, November 28, 2002: This heart-warming article

describes a Hindu family living life following Hindu values and ideals.

Kokila and Kishor Vyas were honored by the New Jersey Parents Foundation

last July as Parents of the Year. Kokila recalls a message delivered by a

Hindu priest at a festival in 1986 who said, "An over-emphasis on

accumulating wealth comes at the risk of losing one's children." Soon after,

Kokila quit her job and stayed home to tend to her newborn son, Shaunak. As

part of the family sacrifice, Kishor sometimes had to work longer hours to

meet expenses, however, the couple persevered and attribute their success to

their Hindu faith. Through living frugally, Kokila has always been there for

both their children, Shaunak now 16, and his 14-year old sister, Jigisha.

Her presence has enabled the teenagers to participate in drama, sports,

dance, school plays and more. Kishor's aging parents now live in their home,

too. Kishor says, "Keeping any religion helps make a good family life.

Prayer and values help children in any society." The Vyas start each day

with prayers in the family shrine room and they attend many religious and

cultural programs offered by the Arya Samaj Hindu congregation. Shaunak and

Jigisha have emulated their parents by giving back to the community through

volunteer work with organizations such as the March of Dimes and Oakland

Animal Refuge. Kokila says, "Shaunak and Jigisha follow how we are talking

to each other, not fighting in 23 years of marriage." After the children are

grown, Kishor and Kokila plan to reach out to the community by teaching

children's religious classes. On a final note the couple adds, "We don't

expect anything material from our children. Spiritual achievement should be

the goal of life. When they keep good grades and they love us, that's our

gift."

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