archive: HOUSTON
HOUSTON
Posted by Ashok Chowgule (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
India Herald
July 9, 1999
Title: HOUSTON
Author:
Publication: India Herald
Date: July 9, 1999
The Indian community's efforts to raise money for families of victims
of the Kargil confrontation got a major, but unexpected boost from
the nine-day Ram Katha Mahotsav which ended here on July 4.
Shree Morari Bapu who had already taken the legions of his followers
by storm, declared during the katha that the proceeds of the event
will go to help the jawans' families. This is Rashtra Seva, he told
his audience.
His audience found this call to patriotism stirring and donations
started pouring in. Sitaram Parivar of Texas, organizer of the Ram
Katha Mahotsav, ended with a surplus of $110,000 and will send a sum
of Rs. 50 lakhs to the jawans welfare fund.
One of the organizers, Dinesh Shukla, said he was overwhelmed by the
patriotic spirit displayed by a young man who gave a check for $5,000.
While the Parivar's sole aim was to organize the Katha, the
organizers were heartened by the achievement of the twin goals of
spiritual uplift and Rashtra Seva in being able to help to the
jawans' families. "This noble cause of Rashtra Seva, invoked by Bapu,
was embraced by all," Shukla said.
Admission to the event was free, but attendees willingly donated what
they could afford. Bapu, during the narration of the Ram Katha often
touched on the current situation in Kargil and occasionally shared
his insight into the political situation.
The katha mahotsav witnessed very good turnout even on weekdays.
Approximately 2,000 devout showed up on weekdays, about 3,500 on
weekends and the last day witnessed an attendance of over 5,000, said
Shukla.
Others organizing the fund-raising effort included the local chapter
of the India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) which has raised so
far raised $5,000.
IDRF volunteers took their appeal on the airwaves (Open Forum radio
program) and listeners responded with pledges of $2600, said Vijay
Pallod of the IDRF.
Some others have sent in donations directly to the army welfare fund
through the Indian Consulate in Houston.
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