Promote Responsibility Among Youth And Seniors (PRAYAS) is a non-political, not for profit, publicly supported, charitable development organization whose mission is to assist low-income immigrant families of Queens- particularly South Asians- become contributory residents of New York City. PRAYAS offers programs aimed at educating and empowering community members facing barriers to full social and economic participation and to build understanding and cooperation between the diverse communities and various government agencies at the city, state and federal levels.
PRAYAS, meaning effort in Hindi language, is a startup organization which functions through donations from its Board members and the volunteer efforts of community members.
Who Are We: The South Asians-
The countries which make up South Asia are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Sometimes Myanmar (Burma) is also included.
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Arrival of the South Asians:-
The history of South Asians in the USA spans from the late 1700s, with early migrants primarily from the Punjab and Bengal regions, arriving in North America as peddlers, laborers, and soldiers. Many found work in agricultural regions, particularly in California's Central Valley, where they were employed in farming and labor-intensive industries.
South Asian immigrants faced significant challenges, including racism, discrimination in employment and housing, and restrictive immigration laws. The 1917 Immigration Act, for example, specifically targeted Asian immigrants and made it difficult for them to bring their families to the U.S.
Despite the hardships, South Asians built communities, established religious institutions (like Sikh Gurdwaras), and formed organizations like the Ghadar Party, which advocated for Indian independence from British rule.
The restrictive immigration policies- Chinese Exclusion Act; 1917 Immigration Act; 1924 Immigration Act- combined with racism and discrimination, led to a decline in the South Asian American population by the 1940s.
After World War II, immigration laws began to change, allowing for greater diversity in immigration. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 removed the national quotas and opened the doors to a wider range of immigrants, including South Asians.