In a remarkable display of generosity and cultural preservation, Indian-American couple Subhash and Sarojini Gupta, residents of Houston, have committed a substantial donation of $1.75 million to initiate the construction of Texas’ inaugural Hindu campsite. This philanthropic endeavor is set to span across a sprawling 37-acre expanse in Columbus, Texas, with an anticipated completion date in the upcoming summer, poised to welcome eager campers for an enriching six-night and five-day adventure.
Distinguished by its unique purpose, this campsite is destined to serve as a venue for heritage youth camps, an offering that promises to deliver invaluable academic education experiences reminiscent of established schools and colleges. The announcement was made via a media release on a recent Friday.
Subhash and Sarojini Gupta articulated their deep-rooted passion for this project, underscoring its potential to nurture essential values and life skills within the younger generation. Subhash Gupta expressed, “This is the best thing we can do for the next generation,” emphasizing their concern about the waning interest in Hindu dharma and the imperative to safeguard traditional values in the younger populace. He added, “We are already losing youth in this country because they are not interested in our Hindu dharma and preserving our value system, so whatever we can do to cultivate that, the better.”
This laudable campsite, established in 1985, has historically grappled with the challenge of securing suitable locations to accommodate the aspirations of over 1,200 youths yearning to participate. The forthcoming campsite will be outfitted with modern amenities, including cabins, a swimming pool, a capacious dining hall accommodating 200 individuals, an outdoor amphitheater, covered basketball courts, and well-equipped classrooms. Subhash Gupta revealed their intent to host two week-long camps by the year 2024, with the ultimate objective of accommodating all enthusiastic participants, further underlining their commitment to the cause.
Moreover, during the academic year, other groups will have the opportunity to rent this remarkable campsite for their retreats, corporate gatherings, or family events, signifying its multifaceted utility. Sarojini Gupta remarked, “We hope this can be a place kids can be proud of. It’s not only for this generation. It’s for many more generations to come. It’s a community property for everyone.”
Subhash Gupta, hailing from Uttar Pradesh’s Pilkhuwa town in India, holds a degree in metallurgical engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, earned in 1971. He later completed his master’s degree in metallurgical engineering at the University of Nevada and worked as a research engineer at Cities Service Co., an oil company, until 1979. Sarojini, originally from New Delhi, earned her master’s degree in political science from the University of Delhi. The couple, who married in 1975, initially lived in New Jersey and Arizona before settling in Houston in 1979. After several years of consulting in the engineering sector, they went on to establish a research publications company in Houston.
This noble contribution by the Guptas serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to preserving cultural heritage and fostering educational opportunities for generations to come.
