Hinduism in Zambia
Zambia is home to 25,000 Hindus.[1] Hinduism is the third largest religion in Zambia. Hindus constituted a sizeable percentage among the Asian-origin citizens.[2] But the 2001 Zambian census records only 5,442 Hindus in Zambia.
Hindu Associations in Zambia
The Zambian Hindus have formed the Hindu Association of Zambia, a national body having branches in all towns.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad has an office in Zambia.
Brahma Kumaris in Zambia
Brahma Kumaris has one Centre in Zambia; the Raja Yoga Meditation Centre, Plot no. 3515c, Great East Road, Rhodes Park, Opp. Northmead Shopping Centre, PO Box 50670, Ridgeway 15101, Lusaka
Hindu Temples in Zambia
- Radha Krishna Mandhir, Lusaka
- Kafue Amman Temple
- Radha Krishnan Mandir, Ndola
- Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, O Kapi Farm, Lusaka West
Ramakrishna Vedanta Society in Zambia
The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society has one centre; Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre, Nsunzu Road, P.O.Box 31588, Lusaka, Zambia
Sathya Sai Baba in Zambia
Sai Organization runs Sathya Sai Secondary School and Sathya Sai college in Zambia.
Having been inspired by the successful implementation of Bhagavan's Values Education programme at the African Institute of Sathya Sai Education (TAISSE), Ndola, Zambia, many countries in Africa today are involved in the Value-based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education (VBWSHE) programme.
Swaminarayan Sampraday in Zambia
The Swaminarayan Sampraday presently has two organisations based in Lusaka. These are the Sri Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan (Zambia) and the Lusaka Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal - both of these run temples in Lusaka.
Zambia-Indian Relations
In April 2003, President Mwanawasa signed trade cooperation agreements with India. And, first Lady Maureen Mwanawasa hosted Indian dancers in Lusaka's Hindu Hall, saying, "If you love culture, then you need to support programs like this which bring two different peoples together." She thanked the Hindu Association of Zambia for its second, 50-ton food donation for famine stricken districts.
Indian Community/PIOs
There are about 12,000 Indians in Zambia. Most of them have taken local or British nationalities and are working in trade sector.
Some have set up plants to manufacture medicines, textiles or for wood, edible oils and leather processing.
During the Chiluba regime, two persons of Indian origin were appointed as the Cabinet Ministers: Mr. Suresh Desai, Minister for Agriculture and Mr. Dipak Patel, Minister of Commerce & Industry. Mr. Dipak Patel continues in the same position in the Mwanawasa government but Mr. Desai is now out of parliament.
The Mwanawasa government has been friendly towards the Indian community. The functions hosted by the Indian community e.g. Diwali, are attended by a number of Cabinet Ministers of the Mwanawasa government.