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Executive Trustee's Annual Report 2000 |
Author |
Pragya Mitra Bhangdia, M.D. |
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It is my pleasure and privilege to present to you this annual report of Vedic Heritage; Inc. I could not have been in this position with out the help of the trustees and the blessings of H. H. Guru Maa Jyotishanand Saraswati, and of course Baba.
Every year I keep wondering as to how much better things can be and every year I am surprised. After the last report was presented the first program was Dipawali celebration on November 112th and 13th 1999. The auditorium was completely packed with music lovers. The program started with Mangalacharan by Pandit Amol Mishra and the sound of conch by 8 years old Aditya Singh (Chela #1). Dr. Manjula Bansal was the host for the evening. Honorable Mayor of Hempstead Mr. James Garner was the chief guest for the evening. Mr. Mayor thanked Guru Maa for inviting him and giving him an opportunity to experience the great form of music. He then bestowed the title of "Sangeet Samrat" upon Pandit Jasraj. An award of leadership and appreciation was presented to Mayor Garner. Maa Jaya Sati Bhagawati was also awarded for her selfless services for the community. Mr. Nayan Kisnadwala flew from London especially for this function.
Pandit Jasrajji started the performance who was accompanied by Kala Ramnath on Violin, Hetal Mehta on Tabla, Lalita Sharma and Marina Alam on Tanpura and Tripti Mukharjee backing vocals. Panditji's performance was absolutely stunning. Then Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra stared by saying that their performance here was their "Haajari" (an offerings to the Mandir). Then the finalist of the competition held in Bombay were presented and they commenced their performances. They were Natesan Balsubramaniam on "Mridang", Vidya Balsubramaniam on vocals, Rajani Ramanath on Violin and Hetal Mehta on tabla. These four youngsters performed very well. Audiences were impressed with their acts.
The "Holy" was celebrated on 25th March. We missed H.H. Guru Maa on that occasion as She was still in India. Rachna Sarang and Renu Jain put in lots of efforts in arranging this program. The program was timely conducted. We were lucky to have Pandit Jasrajji present on that occasion. The performers were all children under the age of 16 years. Kush Choksey (2 years old) performed and danced as Krishna and got standing ovation from the audience. Nitu Malhotra and family provided the prasad.
Her Holiness Guru Maa returned back from India just in time for Hanuman Jayanti celebration on 17th April. It was also gurumaa's sixtieth birthday. The evening started with Bhajans by Renu Jain and Megha Sharma. That evening Guru Maa talked about Her project of planting 1500 fruit bearing trees at Lonavala Aashram in India for children in the neighboring area. At midnight 108 Hanuman Chalisa Path commenced. It finished at 4:30 AM. Puja, Arati and prasad followed this. Even though this was a weekday, there was unexpectedly big turn out of the audience.
As every year Guru Maa went on a successful US trip starting from third week of May. She visited centers at Austin, Texas; Flagstaff, and Phoenix, Arizona; Minnetonka, Minnesota; Orlando, Florida.
Next was Guru Purnima celebration on 15th July. Devotees and disciples offered oblations and gifts to Guru Maa. We were unfortunate that well known folk singer of India Rajendra Jain could not make his trip from India for that day. After Puja, Mahabhog was distributed. This year Guru Maa initiated Vaishali Patwardhan from California and Raju Sakia from India. Vedmitra and Vedantpriya recited a poem dedicated to Gurumaa. Mr.H.R. Bahl expressed his thoughts and feeling for Guru Maa. Sanghpriya tried to express her thoughts but overcome by emotions her voice got chocked and she fell in the lap of her Guru and washed her feet with her tears. One after the other many came forward and expressed their feelings for their Guru. Most touching was Chela #1 (Aditya Singh) who sang with full devotion a song written and composed by Pdt. Jasraj "Guru Agya Mein Nishdin Rahiya" This touched every one.
21 days Akhand Ram Charitra Manas path started on July 21st. This time all the days were booked well in advance. This was first time in so many years that every thing started on time and went on smoothly. 12th August was the Purnahuti of the path. This year Acharya Kishorji Vyas from Pune India was invited to give discourse on Ramayan. Amar Oak accompanied him for musical accompaniment. Acharya Kishorji Vyas is very well known for his Bhagwat and Ramayan Kathas all over India. He was excellent. He was very punctual and attracted the audience. Over 100 people were regular audience for twenty-one days. On Weekends and Tuesdays the crowd was unlimited. Last day after 108 Hanuman Chalisa Path, Purnahuti Hawan and Puja also for the first time we had Shobha Yatra of the Pothi (Book). A special Singhsan was prepared for the Pothi. Five fortunate devotees: Mangal Thakker, Dilip Malhotra, Dinesh Bakshi, Veena Singh and Kanak Singh placed the Singhsan on their heads and carried it around the temple to the Acharya Kishorji's room. 31 beautifully dressed ladies followed them with Kalash on their heads chanting the mantra:\ “Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai, Kripa Karhu Gurudev Ki Nai.”
This year Dipawali celebration is coming on 11th and 12th on November. Three Padma Vibhushan (Second Highest National award of India) awardees are coming together on the stage for the first time along with other artists. They are Padma Vibhushans Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Pandit Kelucharan Mahapatra. We expect this year's program will exceed the limits of all the past years with blessings from Baba and Guru Maa.
Along with all these and other successes we had a biggest loss for this organization. It was our beloved sister and H.H. Gurumaa's most devoted child Gyanpriya's departure from this mortal world on September 3rd 2000. I wish whereever she may be, she is in the lotus feet of Baba. Until last moment Gurumaa and Baba were in her heart and thoughts. We lost most hard working, honest and caring worker. I don't see any body has ability to replace her. May God grant her the best place in the heaven and peace in the hearts of her two daughters, husband, sister and other family members. We have never seen Gurumaa moved and shaken so much.
Finally, I thank and appreciate the help of my co-trustees, directors and sevaks and volunteers of the organization helping me for past year. And I hope the progress of the organization will continue to excel.
Jai Sri Hanuman.
Pragya Mitra Bhangdia, M.D.
Executive Trustee
Vedic Heritage; Inc. (USA) |
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