Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas — The Hindus of Dallas proudly hosted a distinguished Meet & Greet Reception to honor newly elected and re-elected city officials from across the DFW Metroplex. Held in a spirit of unity and civic engagement, the event brought together City Mayors, Council Members, ISD Trustees from multiple cities across the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex, alongside more than 40+ prominent members of the Hindu American community, representing a vibrant cross-section of Community Leaders representing Hindu cultural organizations, Temple, Local enterprise and next generation youth representatives.

The evening commenced with a warm welcome and keynote address by Mr. Pankaj Kumar, who congratulated the officials on their electoral victories and expressed heartfelt appreciation for their dedication to public service. His remarks underscored the inclusive values of Hindu philosophy, the growing civic and economic contributions of Hindu Americans, and the shared commitment to “Serving for the greater good of society.”

City officials shared their visions for their respective communities and expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration with the Hindu American community.

Highlights from the evening included:

• Mayor Bill Cox (McKinney) appreciated the partnership and said that this will go a long way in buildingg a stronger community

• Mayor Dylan Hedrick (Garland) praised the initiative, noting its alignment with Garland’s longstanding commitment to diversity.

• Council Member Ramesh Premkumar (Coppell) emphasized themes of civic responsibility, urging attendees to “Give Back... Find a Cause... Serve Your City.”

• Council Member Bob Kehr (Plano) reflected on Mr. Kumar’s address, stating, “We in Plano are very much about diversity, very much about welcoming everybody to come participate and partner with the City of Plano and take the next step in serving.”

• Council Member Burt Thakur (Frisco) highlighted the economic and cultural contributions of Hindu Americans, noting how their values and charitable traditions enrich the cities they call home.

In a heartfelt cultural gesture, the festival of Raksha Bandhan (Oneness, Unity Day) was celebrated during the event. Mrs. Bindu Patel tied the sacred thread to attending officials, symbolizing protection, unity, and mutual respect between communities.

Community leaders warmly welcomed the city officials and reaffirmed their commitment to civic engagement, collaboration, and active participation in local governance. The evening continued with a sumptuous dinner catered by Far East Pizza, followed by open networking and dialogue. Discussions centered around shared priorities including infrastructure, economic development, public safety, and inclusive city-building.

Dr. Monga, a pillar of the DFW Metroplex community with over 45 years of dedicated service, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the elected leaders in attendance. He
emphasized the importance of collaboration and conveyed his eagerness to partner with them in furthering community well-being.

Mr. Gitesh Desai, a respected senior leader within the Hindu community, reaffirmed the collective commitment by stating, “We will continue to serve the broader Texas community in every capacity—as proud representatives of Hindus of DFW.”

In his closing remarks, Mr. Mahesh Chamaria captured the spirit of the gathering, declaring, “This is not just another event—it marks the beginning of a meaningful civic partnership between our cities and the Hindu American communities across the DFW metroplex. Together, we aim to enrich the neighborhoods we call home.”

The Next Generation of Hindu American youth took the lead in managing the reception and gracefully emceed the event, infusing it with energy and authenticity. During their remarks, they reflected on their lived experiences as second-generation Hindu Americans—sharing how their cultural heritage serves not only as a source of pride but also as a guiding force for progress. With thoughtful conviction, they emphasized their commitment to building a more inclusive society rooted in the timeless values of dharma, unity, and compassion.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a collective pledge to foster ongoing collaboration between city leadership and the Hindu American community in DFW Metroplex.