Governor at the Sunday Feast?

[Guest guest]

Photo left to Right: Gov. Huntsman, Vaibhavi, Caru, Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert

 

 

In January I had participated in an interfaith inauguration service for

Governor Jon Huntsman at the Presbyterian Church Downtown Salt Lake City.

Upon my recent return form India I had an e-mail invitation to attend a

reception at the Governor¹s mansion for all those who helped in the

inauguration. Vai and I bundled into the car, and arrived at the mansion in

time to stand in a long line for picture taking with Governor Huntsman and

his lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert. Gary is from Utah County, and has been

a very good friend over the years. Gary came to our temple opening, along

with Senator Orrin Hatch, in 2001, as a keynote speaker.

The photo session was interrupted for about 45 minutes while everybody

went upstairs to hear Governor Huntsman¹s daughter play piano concertos from

Rachmanikoff along with Eugene Watanbe, touted as Utah finest musician. Mary

Ann Huntsman seemed no less talented than Eugene. Both are super excellent

musicians, and the mini concert was first class.

The Huntsman family has been Utah¹s premier family for generations. For

instance, they built and endowed the 150 million dollar Huntsman Cancer

Center at the Univ. of Utah. Jon Huntsman was once ambassador to Singapore,

and with factories in India, knows some of India¹s wealthiest families, like

the Tatas and Modis. Wealthy, cultured, and public spirited, he was a

shoo-in for Governor: Utah¹s favorite son.

In order to become Governor, he had to forego an annual salary from his

business corporations of $ 2 million per year.

The Photo line resumed downstairs. Before long it was the turn of

Vaibhavi and I to have our picture taken with the Governor. Gary Herbert

spoke of us in the most glowing terms.

Governor Huntsman asked if I had ever been to India, and I replied I had

just returned form a trip last Saturday.

He leaned over and proudly said to me, ³You know, I make my own gulab

jamons! And I always keep a jar of lemon pickle in the pantry for special

meals.²

When Vaibhavi showed him the brochure for the temple in Spanish Fork, he

was shocked. He said, ³This is In Utah.² I said, ³Spanish Fork, no less.² He

said, ³I never would have thought anything like this could come up in Utah

Valley, where everyone is a Mormon (he himself is a Mormon).² I said, ³Fools

rush in where wise men fear to tread. We came here 20 years ago and are

still on our feet, thanks to the good graces of the community.²

After this exchange he kept muttering, ³As an aficionado of India, I can¹t

believe I¹ve missed this!²

We took our leave and went home to bed. At 9 am next morning a call came

from Chad Davis, one of the Governor¹s men. He asked if it would be all

right to bring a contingent of people from the Governor¹s office to the

feast that Sunday. ³Certainly,² I said, ³you are most welcome.²

An hour later the phone rang again, caller ID ³Utah State Government².

³This is the Governor¹s personal Secretary, Jaimie. Governor Hunstman told

me this morning that he would like to visit your temple in the next few

weeks, and wanted to confirm that your services are Sundays at 5 pm.² I

said that indeed services are Sundays, but we are also open for tour,

buffet, and gifts every day from 10 am until 7 pm. Still it seemed the

preference was for the Sunday evening program in the near future.

To be continued...

 

 

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Best wishes,

Caru das and Vaibhavi