Janya Iyer - CMP Community Conference

Project by: Janya Iyer

Mentor: Smt Archana Bandi

My name is Janya Iyer and the name of my Capstone Project is the CMP Community Conference Series. Smt. Archana Bandi was my mentor. This project involves organizing monthly online conversations with members of the Greater Pittsburgh Indian community.

These sessions highlight the professional journeys of our speakers, the successes they have achieved, the challenges they have faced, and how the teachings and values of Sanatana Dharma have helped them along the way. Through this project, I wanted to bring people of different generations together, especially younger people like myself to learn and grow from the experiences of those in our community.

Inspiration & Genesis

The genesis and inspiration for this Capstone Project came from two main sources. The first was a women’s panel discussion I attended in 2024 at Chinmaya Amarnath. It was hosted by the HOMA organization and featured women leaders such as Smt. Shambhavi Desai and Smt. Kamala Reddy. These women talked about their careers, their journeys, their families, and how they balanced their values and responsibilities. They spoke about real challenges and how they found strength through their cultural identity and their faith. Listening to them made me feel inspired and proud of who I am. I realized how powerful and encouraging it can be to hear someone’s personal story. That event left me wondering what it would be like to create more conversations like that one, not just for women, but for everyone in the community.

The second inspiration came from what I have learned about Bharatiya culture and the way knowledge has traditionally been shared. In Indian culture, knowledge is passed on not just through books or schools, but also through conversations with elders, community leaders, and spiritual teachers. Ancient Indian temples or Mandirs were places where conversations with elders & eminent members of the community used to be very prevalent. Temples were not only sacred places of worship but also important gathering spaces for communities. People went there to find peace, but also to discuss, ask questions, and seek guidance for their physical & mental well-being. These temples were like living classrooms. Conversations were a big part of the learning process.

This tradition is also at the heart of our scriptures. The Upanishads are a collection of conversations between students and teachers. The Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna during a moment of deep confusion. In Srimad Bhagavatam, we hear the powerful exchange between Sage Shuka and Raja Parikshit. In all of these cases, the learning happens through dialogue. There is a listener and a speaker, a question and an answer. The same concept is there in great works such as the Yaksha Prashna, Vibheeshana Gita, Prashnopanishad and several other Upanishads. I wanted to take that ancient concept of conversation and bring it into our modern community, in a way that could help all of us, especially the younger generation.

Project Goals

Pittsburgh is a great place for a project like this because our Indian community is so strong and full of talented people. We are blessed to have professionals in so many different fields. There are doctors, entrepreneurs, artists, politicians, musicians, social workers, engineers, and more. The other unmistakable feature is that many people are involved in more than one area. For example, someone might be a full-time doctor but also play music or volunteer with a charity. There is a richness of experience in our community that is not always visible. I wanted to create a space where these people could share their stories so that others, especially students, could benefit.

One of the main goals of my project is to connect the younger generation to the older generation for a mutually beneficial outcome. Sometimes, people from the younger generation feel disconnected from their culture or unsure about their identity. We might wonder if we can follow our dreams while still staying true to our values. Or, we might struggle with things such as peer pressure, cultural expectations, or uncertainty about our future. Hearing from people who have already been through those same experiences can be extremely impactful. It can help us feel seen, supported, and encouraged.

At the same time, this kind of project helps build more understanding between generations. It gives younger people the chance to understand the difficulties that older generations have faced. Many of our parents and grandparents came to this country with very little. They worked hard to build a life while also trying to preserve their cultural identity. Learning about their stories helps us feel more respect and gratitude. It reminds us that their struggles created the opportunities we have today. There is also a strong likelihood for people from the younger generation to think about certain things from a different perspective, thus eliciting an open mindset.

As I have also seen and experienced, the older generation is generally very compassionate and is always available to offer their assistance to anyone seeking them. The one drawback is that there is no official or formal forum for organizing such events and interactions. With events such as the CMP Community Conference Series, elders and experienced members of the community have an easy & effective forum for having such conversations.

The CMP Community Conference sessions also give young people the chance to connect with professionals in the fields they are interested in. For example, a student who wants to become a doctor can learn from someone who is already working in medicine. They can hear about what it takes, what challenges to expect, and how to overcome them. These are real-life lessons that you cannot always get from textbooks or school. I believe that this kind of exposure helps young people feel more confident and clearer about their goals.

Speaker Selection

When choosing the first speakers for the series, we decided to invite individuals who are well known in our community and who are also second-generation Indian Americans. People from this background often understand what it is like to grow up between two cultures. They have had to frequently balance their Indian values with American culture and find a way to make that work for them. We also made sure to include people whose lives reflect a connection to Sanatana Dharma, even if it is not always obvious. The teachings of Sanatana Dharma are not just about religion. They are about dharma, compassion, service, discipline, and truth. These values can guide someone in any profession.

Two of our featured speakers were Bhavini Patel and Dr. Arvind Venkat.

Born & brought up in Pittsburgh, Bhavini Patel is an Executive Director at Sustainable Pittsburgh and serves on the Edgewood Borough Council. She ran for Congress and has held key roles in community outreach, policy discussions on medical marijuana, and various volunteer efforts. A first-generation college graduate, Bhavini holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the University of Pittsburgh. Recognized for her contributions, she has been featured in Pittsburgh Business Times’ 30 Under 30 and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40.

She spoke about her parents’ journey as immigrants and her early childhood in the Monroeville area. She shared the struggles she faced as a young woman of color trying to make her voice heard. One of the most important things she said was that representation matters. When people see someone who looks like them doing something important, it gives them the courage to believe they can do it too. Bhavini-Didi also spoke about how her cultural background shaped the way she approaches leadership and service. Although she didn’t win the political race, she mentioned all the valuable lessons she learnt from this exercise. The most important lesson for people witnessing these events was that Indian Americans have it in them to stand for office and have visions and thoughts by staying true to the values propounded by Sanatana Dharma.

The next speaker, Dr. Arvind Venkat, is an emergency physician and a state representative in Pennsylvania. Rep. Arvind Venkat is the first Indian American elected to the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. Serving the 30th Legislative District since Nov 2022, he focuses on accessible healthcare, first responders, reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, voting access, and workforce development. His parents, who immigrated to the U.S., inspired his career. He has degrees from Harvard and Yale, and he completed his residency at the University of Cincinnati. He lives in McCandless with his wife and three children.

He talked about his work in emergency medicine and how that led him to public service. He explained how the values of Sanatana Dharma, such as caring for others, doing your duty, and standing up for what is right, helped him make difficult decisions in both careers. He also talked about the importance of character and discipline, both in medicine and in politics. One of the things that really stood out to me was how deeply he believes in helping others, even when it is not easy. It was also interesting to get a glimpse into the inner workings of the State legislature, when he shared some details about policies and the State relationship with the Federal government. He highlighted the importance of the Indian community, its rich culture and value-system, in this current age.

Each session was about one hour long and included time for audience questions. We had around twenty-five attendees per session. Although that might seem small, it actually allowed for more meaningful conversations. People felt comfortable asking questions and sharing their own thoughts. The feedback we received was very encouraging. Many participants said they learned something new, felt more inspired, or wanted to attend more sessions. Some even asked how they could get involved in future events. Many attendees admitted that they heard things from the speakers that they never got to hear from them earlier.

My Learnings

One of the biggest things I learned from this project is that conversations can be powerful. They can open minds, build connections, and inspire action. I also learned that organizing these sessions takes time and effort. It involves reaching out to speakers, preparing thoughtful questions, setting up the technology, and making sure everything runs smoothly. But all that effort feels worth it when you see people listening, learning, and getting something meaningful from the experience.

Next Steps

As I look ahead, I am excited about the possibilities for this project. I hope to expand the series to include people from more fields, such as classical music, dance, science, technology, teaching, and business. Each person in the Indian community has a unique story to tell. I also want to try new formats, like in-person discussions, student-led panels, or even a podcast-style show. One idea I am really excited about is bringing in speakers from across the country. There are so many inspiring Indian Americans doing amazing work, and I would love to bring their voices into our community conversations. My hope is that every young person who attended these sessions left feeling inspired, like their dreams were possible. I wanted them to see that even successful people faced hard times, and that our culture and values can help us through.

Gratitude

I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this project possible. First, I want to thank Chinmaya Mission Pittsburgh for giving me the chance to do this as my Capstone Project. I also want to thank my mentor, Smt. Archana Bandi, who guided me through every step and always believed in the idea. Suresh Uncle and the members of the Steering Committee were always supportive and encouraging. I am also thankful to my parents, teachers, and Bala Vihar volunteers who showed up, asked questions, and gave feedback. And of course, I want to thank our speakers for taking the time to share their journeys and inspire others.

Through this project, I learned how to communicate professionally, organize events with attention to detail, and most importantly, how to listen. Every speaker taught me something not just about their journey, but also about the kind of person I want to become and hence I can’t thank them enough for their time, insights and thoughts. These lessons and insights can seldom be learned from books. Working with mentors, parents, and community members made me feel supported and encouraged. I realized that when people come together with a shared purpose, amazing things can happen.

Conclusion

In the end, the CMP Community Conference Series became more than just a project. It became a way for me to feel more connected to my community, my culture, and my purpose. It taught me that even though I am young, I can still help create spaces where people come together, learn from each other, and feel inspired. I hope this project continues to grow and reach more people. I believe that when we listen to each other, we all become wiser, more understanding, and more united.