HOUSTON (Diya TV) — Dr. Devinder Mahajan begins his story far from Houston, where he is today a respected leader in the Hindu Indian community. He starts in Sialkot and Multan, cities now in Pakistan. His childhood there, and the trauma his family faced during Partition, shaped the man he eventually became. His life reflects resilience, service, and a commitment to preserving Hindu values for future generations.

Mahajan, now in his eighties, recalls the days leading up to Partition with clarity. He remembers meeting Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He and his younger brother attended RSS shakhas in the Vehari district of Multan. Those early influences stayed with him.

His life changed at age 12. When Partition forced millions to flee, his father lost everything and moved the family to Batala in Punjab. Mahajan watched his father rebuild from nothing. He excelled in school and later pursued engineering, following his father’s wishes.

After Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, the Indian government blamed the RSS. Like many swayamsevaks at the time, Mahajan’s father was jailed and later released. These events left a deep impression on him and shaped his worldview.

Mahajan came to the United States in 1960 to study at the University of Michigan. His previous engineering coursework in India transferred, and the American system allowed him to graduate early. He worked tirelessly to support himself. His first engineering job in Cleveland almost slipped away when employers discovered he was on a student visa. He calmly explained the rules and shared his grades. Impressed, the company hired him. He often says those early years taught him perseverance and courage.

He married Sushma, a physician, and the couple moved to Houston in 1975. They raised two daughters, who now have families of their own. Mahajan continued to succeed in his engineering career, but his deeper calling remained tied to community building and cultural preservation.

Mahajan’s father, R.C. Mahajan, was central to the creation of the Arya Samaj of Greater Houston. He arrived in the United States in 1979 and quickly began meeting families across Houston. He performed havans, taught Hindu values, and encouraged parents to pass Indian culture to their children. Many in the community called him “Pita ji,” a mark of affection and respect.

In 1991, he helped launch Arya Samaj in a space offered by businessman Sunil Mehta. The growing community later built its Schiller Road campus, beginning construction in 1997. Today, the 27,000-square-foot campus includes classrooms, play areas, prayer halls, and community spaces.

The site also houses the DAV Montessori School, which teaches students through fifth grade. The school blends academic success with lessons in Hindu values and has won several state-level awards. Mahajan retired in 1999, and his wife retired the next year. They planned to travel and enjoy a quieter life. But Mahajan soon became deeply involved with the Arya Samaj. His engineering skills helped guide the expansion of the campus and several major community projects.

He played a key role in developing the Eternal Gandhi Museum in Houston and the Texas Hindu Campsite. He also served as the founding chairman of the board of advisors for Hindus of Greater Houston for 10 years. He hopes to complete the Patanjali Wellness Center, with construction slated to begin next year. He and his wife have donated generously to each initiative.

Mahajan sees Arya Samaj as more than a religious institution. He calls it a living community. He invites people to attend a Sunday program to see families gather, children learn, and elders share knowledge. He believes these connections keep culture alive and help young Indian Americans understand their roots.

Houston’s Hindu community has grown from a few dozen families in the 1960s to one of the largest in the country. Much of that growth sits on the quiet work of people like Dr. Devinder Mahajan. His life, shaped by history and rebuilt across continents, now strengthens the cultural foundation for generations of families in Houston.