Sri Kalale's Posting

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Satyan, Nagu on Tue, Jan 21, 1997 3:09 PM

Sri Kalale's Posting

bhakti digest

 

What I am about to write may appear corny to a few. As I quckly read

the article about Sri Kalale's conversation with Sri H.H. Azhagia

Singar and some of Sri Kalale's own observations and analysis, I was

emotionally impacted and in tears. I am not sure why but it sure

touched a raw spot. I had to close my office door to control myself.

During my lunch break I made it a point today to really take the

break and reread the posting a few times. I think this article was a

culmination of many issues I am also wrestling with my personal,

professional and social responsibilities. For me personal includes

besides family, religious, spiritual and philosophical aspects. Sri

Krishna Kalale in my opinion hit the nail on the head when he

acknowledges one of the primary reasons for our residence in USA away

from our heritage. This fact further compounds the existing feeling

of a lost and confused being because of the constant internal

conflicts trying to follow the traditions and yet accept the reality.

May be the other women in this group can expound on this

aspect--brought up in a reasonably traditional family, many of us

women have had to assume roles that are not within the realm of our

traditional society. Granted it is a question of choice we made

ourselves. Ultimately individuals have to make some adjustments and

reconcile with their destiny and perform their duties.

 

Which brings me to the advise Sri Azhagiya Singar made about how we

domiciles can support in diverse ways to preserve and maintain our

religious and heritage base. After reading Sri Azhagiya Singar's

advise to us through Sri Kalale not to worry about where we reside and

to focus on how we can support the various causes, I feel much better

that may be as an individual I can potentially make a small difference

to our community with Sriman Narayana's blessings. It is a strange

feeling--I actually felt that I was part of the conversation in the

background. I hope that during my next visit I have the opportunity

to visit with him and other SV Jeeyars.

 

Back to reality check. One of the process I have been long

contemplating on is how to implement a disciplined, dedicated and

convenient way of making contributions to causes close to my heart

(examples NAMA, Ahobila Mutt, Parakala Mutt, temples renovation,

scholarships for SV students in Madhuranthakam and SRirangan colleges,

etc). Some of you may be aware of pay roll deductions for United Way

and there are mechanisms to identify specific agency the individual

wants to donate the contributions. I know Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)

in Colorado has worked out an agreement and established an ID number

with United Way Colorado to facilitate automatic deductions. What I

would like to suggest is that a few of us involved in voluntary work

to support SV causes in India and USA, join forces and come up with a

solution. I apologize for the presumption that we have not tried it

in case there are people who have or working on it.

 

As some of you are aware, I am involved in NAMA which is an infant

organization to introduce at the very rudimentary level what Sri

Vaishnavism is with the hope that through diverse media of exposure

(social, cultural, religious aspects) we can bring in the teen age

children and adults who have gone out of the SV influence circle. The

discussions in the Bhakthi Group is for individuals who have minimal

to high exposure and more often I get lost because of my very limited

knowledge. To make the story short, I am anxious to fund NAMA

activities along with other causes with the hope of enhancing the

curiosity of the young (and the matured) to pursue further learning.

 

I am personally contributing a decent amount to United Way and I would

like to have an option to allocate portions of my contributions to

agency (ies) of choice. I realize that Sri Ahobila Mutt Organization

in USA is providing this type of service. What I am proposing is

expand on the concept so we take advantage of the SV population in USA

and streamline the fund raising process. For every cause that is made

visible to this group, there are probably ten other equally important

causes that tend to fall out.

 

If any of you are interested in teaming up with me in this endevour,

please contact me at satyan.

 

Nagalakshmi (Nagu) Satyan