Successful Rishi Valmiki Yagna Brings Community Together in Rural Dalit Basti Event Report
2026-01-22 - 2027-03-31 | Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
Rishi Valmiki Program

Event Report | Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh Hindu Rights Watch (HRW) successfully organized a community yagna under the Rishi Valmiki Program in a rural Dalit basti of Moradabad district, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing community engagement efforts. The sacred ceremony witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 50 community members, symbolizing cultural reconnection and social harmony. Months of Community Engagement Bear Fruit The yagna represented the culmination of several months of dedicated outreach by the HRW team in the area. Through consistent engagement, relationship-building, and community service initiatives, the team had established deep trust within the Dalit basti. Central to this event was one Dalit family that had previously converted to Christianity but chose to return to Hindu dharma after sustained interaction with HRW’s community workers. The family’s decision reflected not coercion but genuine connection fostered through HRW’s holistic approach combining spiritual guidance with practical welfare support. “Our team believes in patient, respectful engagement,” explained an HRW coordinator present at the event. “We don’t force beliefs; we offer support, answer questions, and let families make informed choices about their spiritual path.” The Rishi Valmiki Yagna Ceremony The yagna was conducted with full Vedic rituals, honoring Rishi Valmiki—the revered sage and author of the Ramayana who himself rose from humble origins to become one of Hinduism’s greatest spiritual figures. This symbolism resonated deeply with the Dalit community, emphasizing dharma’s inclusive nature and the tradition’s respect for spiritual seekers regardless of birth. The ceremony saw active participation from the family at the center of the homecoming, along with neighbors and community members eager to join the sacred occasion. Over 50 people participated in offering ahutis (sacred offerings) into the ceremonial fire, creating an atmosphere of devotion and communal unity. Women, youth, and elders alike took part in the rituals, with HRW volunteers guiding those unfamiliar with the procedures. The event included recitation of Vedic mantras, bhajans, and explanation of the spiritual significance of the yagna in accessible language. Following the religious ceremonies, prasad was distributed among all attendees, and the gathering concluded with community members sharing their experiences and expressing gratitude for HRW’s ongoing presence in their area. Comprehensive Community Welfare Initiatives The yagna is just one component of HRW’s broader engagement in the Moradabad rural area. The organization has been running comprehensive community welfare projects targeting multiple demographics and needs. Youth Empowerment Programs: HRW conducts skill development sessions, career guidance workshops, and educational support for young people in the basti. The team helps youth navigate opportunities in both traditional vocations and emerging sectors. Women’s Welfare Initiatives: Special programs focus on women’s empowerment, including self-help group formation, vocational training, and awareness sessions on health, nutrition, and legal rights. Government Scheme Enrollment Support: Recognizing that many eligible beneficiaries miss out on government welfare due to lack of awareness or documentation challenges, HRW volunteers actively assist community members in enrolling for various schemes. This includes help with: Ration card applicationsAyushman Bharat health cardsPM Kisan benefitsScholarship applications for childrenPension schemes for elderly and disabled personsHousing scheme registrationsThe team provides end-to-end support—from gathering documents to filling forms to following up with government offices—ensuring that deserving families actually receive entitled benefits. Community Health and Sanitation: HRW also organizes periodic health camps, cleanliness drives, and awareness programs on hygiene and disease prevention. Building Trust Through Service The success of the Rishi Valmiki Yagna reflects HRW’s philosophy that cultural and spiritual reconnection happens most authentically when combined with genuine service to community needs. By addressing practical challenges facing Dalit families—from government scheme access to youth employment—the organization has built credibility and trust. “They don’t just talk about dharma; they help us with ration cards, school admissions, health camps,” shared one attendee. “This is real seva.” Looking Ahead HRW plans to continue its multifaceted engagement in the Moradabad Dalit basti, with regular satsangs, welfare camps, and festival celebrations planned. The organization views this area as a model for holistic community work that integrates spiritual guidance with tangible social service. The successful yagna and the family’s return to Hindu dharma represent not an endpoint but a beginning—of deeper community bonds, ongoing welfare initiatives, and shared cultural celebration in the spirit of Rishi Valmiki’s timeless legacy. Hindu Rights Watch remains committed to serving marginalized communities through integrated programs combining cultural preservation with practical welfare support.
