Dear Devotees, friends, and well-wishers:
Namaste!
We are beginning this year with the idea and hope that finally there will be an end to the pandemic as we have known it. We are not there yet and as we write this letter, we are under a serous Omicron wave that has swept through the nation. The good news and the silver lining is that it is a milder infection in the folks that have been vaccinated and that the wave may peak quickly and some signs from New York point to this being the case. This also means that we will have to learn to live with the virus in some form and continue our lives in a modified manner with some preventive measures such as masking and distancing socially for the foreseeable future. At the Hindu Bhavan, we have remained vigilant and cautious.
Pundit Ji is continuing prayers and Aarti daily in the evening; the prayers and Aarti session is available for viewing and participation via a Zoom link sent out from Hindu Bhavan; This session is at 6 pm each day. We have tested Zoom, and it has added a new meaning to attending a session virtually and yet enjoying the altar in full view. On Mondays 4.30 pm and Thursdays 4 pm. Of course, you can attend in person and are welcome to do so. The Pongal, Sankranti, Lohri event had to be postponed due to the high prevalence of COVID transmission locally and as a result, the Priest is also unable to travel for Pujas at devotee homes until further notice.
Some additional information is that Dr Kamal Bakri has asked to retire from the Trustee Board. He has served for over twenty years in various capacities and is a founding member, donor, Director, Trustee, and devotee. His contributions and his legacy will be etched for ever in Hindu Bhavan history. We thank him for his service and wish him a joyful and healthy life and wish him and his family the very best as he continues his personal journey. He has been a doctor, mentor and a friend to many and we cannot thank him enough.
Mr. Anup Contractor has been nominated to the opening on the Board of Trustees and no one is more qualified to take this role. Anup has served the temple since it opened, and he is a constant presence in the volunteer role handling all tasks at every event. He is also a former President of the Board of Directors.
Dr Mrs. Amruta Bahekar Patel is nominated for the vacant position on the Board of Directors. She and her husband Pavan Patel have made Fayetteville their home and she brings a different and youthful vision to the temple.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any of us on the Board; If not, we will accept the support by acclamation (in the absence of a formal vote due to inability to hold a general body meeting).
Full Slate: Trustees: Dr Dinesh Chandra (Chair), Dr Divyang Patel, Mr Anup Contractor, Mrs Jyotiben Naik, Dr Rakesh Gupta
Directors: Mrs Vidhya Hegde -President, Dr Sumedha Dalvi -Vice President, Dr Kalpana Krishna, Mr Raju Shah, Mr Sharad Surati, Mrs Koki Patel Secretary, Mrs Sujita Naik, Mr Natarajan Raman, Mr Manish Mehta,
We encourage you to visit the temple as always, participate in Puja and Aarti, which is the very best way to get the blessings and feel the vibrations from the altar, and if not able to come in person, attend virtually via Zoom link. We wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year.
No cloth masks will be permitted for now – Surgical masks, KN 95 or N 95 masks only, when at the temple.
Sincerely
On behalf of The Board of Directors and Trustees – Hindu Bhavan
Jai Sri Krishna
