Empowering the Next Generation: 'HCF MAPLE' Hindu Youth Mentorship Program

The Hindu Youth Mentorship Program (MAPLE), a flagship initiative aimed at empowering Hindu youth and offering them a platform for connection and collaboration, was launched by the Hindu Canadian Foundation. Its inaugural session took place in Hamilton, organized in collaboration with the Hindu Samaj of Hamilton. The event concluded as an inspiring and impactful gathering, providing valuable guidance and confidence to students, young professionals, and job seekers from the community.

With enthusiastic registrations and active participation, the program demonstrated the increasing demand for career mentorship and structured support for Hindu youth navigating the Canadian job market. The overwhelming response underscores the necessity of such thoughtful programs, and we at HCF aim to host these initiatives across various institutions, colleges, temples, and workplaces. As mentioned, a youth equipped with the right knowledge and skills can shape not only their own future but also the destiny of the entire country and the world.

The evening began on an auspicious note with an opening Hindu prayer and welcome address by Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Religious Secretary of Hindu Samaj of Hamilton, whose thoughtful words set the tone for the session. This was followed by HCF Director Mr. Amit Tiwari and HCF Memeber Mr. Rohit Pandey, who introduced the MAPLE Initiative to the audience and its vision of creating long-term career pathways for Hindu youth across Canada.

An interactive ice-breaker session helped participants connect with one another and with the mentors, creating an open and collaborative environment from the start.

A Highly Interactive MAPLE Session:

The main mentorship session was facilitated by Mr. Dipanshu Kumar (HCF), who played a key role in initiating and organizing the entire session, Mr. Karthic Vaidyanathan (Temple Board Member, Hindu Samaj of Hamilton), and Mr. Rohit Pandey (HCF). Instead of being a one-way presentation, the session transformed into a highly interactive and participant-driven discussion.

Participants openly shared their job search challenges, interview experiences, and career concerns. The mentors responded and shared solutions and approaches with practical, personalized advice supported by real-world examples from industry.

The session covered in depth:

• Resume writing strategies aligned with the Canadian job market

• How recruiters evaluate resumes and LinkedIn profiles

• The growing impact of AI and modern job-search tools on hiring

• Using AI for resume optimization, job matching, and interview preparation

• Building a professional digital presence and personal brand

• Effective networking approaches and relationship building

• Interview preparation with real hiring scenarios and feedback

Live demonstrations, spontaneous Q&A, and real-time problem solving kept the session dynamic and highly engaging. Participants were deeply involved throughout, making the learning experience both practical and empowering.

Industry Experts: Community Perspectives

The program concluded with insights from respected community professionals who shared concise yet powerful guidance:

• Mr. Anand Sheron, instrumentation professional and entrepreneur, spoke about entrepreneurship, the importance of LinkedIn, and relationship-driven career growth.

• Mr. Narsinga Rao, a highly experienced Instrument Systems Specialist in the manufacturing industry, emphasized continuous skill development and technical excellence.

• Mr. Saurabh Sharma, supply chain professional, discussed transferable skills and building meaningful professional connections.

• Mr. Amit Tiwari highlighted entrepreneurship and long-term skill investment.

• Mr. Rohit Pandey addressed niche requirements within public services and specialized career pathways.

• Mr. Kishor Sundarababu, Senior Silicon Design Engineer, shared insights into the semiconductor and chip manufacturing sector.

• Ms. Sai Gayatri Ramanan presented the vast spectrum of opportunities in the construction and infrastructure industry, outlining career pathways, industry requirements, and the tremendous growth potential this sector offers in Canada.

Lasting Impact and a path Forward for Hindu Youths:

Participants left the session with renewed confidence, clearer direction, and a stronger understanding of how to navigate their professional journeys in Canada. The feedback reflected how meaningful and relevant the mentorship experience had been for everyone in attendance.

The Hindu Youth Mentorship Program stands as a powerful example of how community-driven initiatives can shape the next generation of leaders with clarity, confidence, and purpose

MAPLE - Hamilton , ON Session