SHUBH HOLI 2010 - LET US BURN THE BAD QUALITIES WITHIN US

February 28th is fast approaching. It's a special day in the Hindu Calendar year. It's an important day in every Hindu's life. It's called Holika Dahan or the Burning of Holika. The burning of Holika heralds the celebrations of Holi or Phagwah which is on Monday, March 1st.

There's a reason why the Hindu Calendar is filled with parbs and festivities. All these beautiful celebrations have deep spiritual meanings and social significances meant to help us climb the spiritual ladder to greater heights. They are meant to make us better individuals worthy of God's grace. But, how many of us take the time to delve into the real meanings of our festivals?

Take Holi Dahan, for instance. The deeper spiritual meaning of this day is the burning of the negative qualities within each of us. Evil qualities like anger, lust, greed, ego, selfishness, dishonesty, ignorance, hunger for power, pride, jeaousy, fear, attachment and all other bad qualities should be burnt out from our systems.

With each passing year and each festival that we observed, we ought to get closer to God and ultimately become more spiritual. Our beings ought to be saturated with divine qualities like humility, simplicity, devotion, selfless service to others, kindness, austerity, sacrifice, pure thoughts, courage, peace, unity, harmony and brotherhood. The spiritual goal is to become more Godly. The purpose of life is to become a God.

Holi Dahan and the Festival of Phagwah gives us the opportunity to become more God-like and to serve God and His creation. Holi Dahan means we need to take stock of ourselves and our roles in society. It means that the people who manages our mandirs and the pandits within our community need to take stock of their behaviours and their roles in society.

The senseless power-struggles and individual egotistic battles for power and fame that go on in many of these mandirs in the community need to be stopped. Truly speaking, some of these people who holds leadership position in some mandirs are so utterly unqualified and unfit to lead, that it is an insult to one's intelligence to see some of their behaviour in public. I'll site one example and there are many other mandirs in community that have these "round holes in sqaure pegs"situations.

I was at the Shri Prakash Gossai Bhuwaneshwar Mandir one Sunday morning's satsangh. I thought, here was a spiritual leader who spent his life to uplift his fellow mankind and make them better human beings. He sacrificed his family's happiness to spread the Holy Name of Shri Ram from the Ramacharitamanas to Hindus all over the world.

He gave his all to make everyone he met into a more spiritual being. He elevated the status of the Bhuwaneshwar Mandir and it's management team. He put them some place reputable and good. He tried his level best to subdue the negative qualities within all and yet, the poor manner in which some of them behaved that morning was so distasteful and the rude way in which some of the men spoke with family members was a shame and disgrace to Dharma. Mind you, these people just concluded satsangh and some of them stood on the stage with the murtis and spoke in such rude manner. Some of the men and women should be asked to leave the mandir.

It was a sad day, indeed. I looked at the spectable and I thought, Guruji would be very disappointed with the distasteful conduct of some of these people. He would be very
ashamed and appalled to know that these are the people who hold leadership roles within the mandir and these same people are treating his family with such disrespect. He would want his family to be treated with respect and dignity. They deserved that much. That is the Dharmic way to behave, particularly with the womenfolks, not shouting at them. What nonsense! And certainly, not pretending to uphold Guruji's name on one hand, while treating his family in such a shameful manner. Where did they get that from? Did he ever preach that?

There are so many other mandirs in this community that have this power-struggle, egotistic battles, another being the Prem Bhakti Mandir. The people there need to recognize the honet, hard-work that Pandit Baya is putting into making that mandir runs successfully. And, the many programs he organized to help the youths grow and develop into more all-rounded, well-cultured and better practising Hindus. Good efforts and conduct play a major role in times of judgement.

As Hindus, we need to channell our time, energy and effort into becoming more Godly. If you need a role model to help you become a better Hindu, choose Shri Ram or Mother Sita or Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita or there is the Mahatma Gandhi. He walked the face of this earth, just like you.

The people in this community need to realize and recognize the importance of people's power. They need to stop allowing themselves to be held as scapegoats. They need to hold these so-called leaders and some of these pandits accountable for their actions. Gone are the days when we have to silently listen to all the crap some of them say and do. Some of these pandits don't even know where their heads are or feet are. And amazily, some of them can't construct proper English sentences, much less, Hindi or Sanskrit sentences.

It's an insult to our intelligence to listen to some of them speak and the stories they make up at some of these religious ceremonies are pure hogwash. It's time we raise the bar and standards for those who want to become a pandit. Not all and sundry should practice "panditai" duties , only the people deserving of such an honor. It's not a money-making business. It's all about helping the people within our community becoming better human beings, better Hindus.

Mandirs belong to the people, because they are the ones who donate the money to build these places of worship. Mandirs do not belong to one person, and certainly not to the pandits.

Remember, we are all here to protect and preserve this mighty Dharma of ours. It's not only just one person's or the pandits' responsibility. It's all our responsibility. When the time calls for it, we're all leaders, and when the time calls for it, we are also followers.

In conclusion, therefore, parbs and festivals, like Holi Dahan, help us become more Dharmic and more outspoken and intolerant against Adharmic qualities, within ourselves and others, particularly our leaders; our pandits.

So, as we're celebrating another Holi season or Phagwah 2010, let us strive to become more Dharmic and not get too attach to Maya, because we're just passing through this world. Nothing and I mean, absolutely nothing, belongs to us. Everything belongs to God.

Shubh Holi to one and all. May goodness, goodwill and brotherhood rein supreme!

(Photos from online)

NJ ARYA SAMAJ MANDIR HUMANITARIAN MISSION GREAT CHARITY WORK IN GUYANA

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission, headed by the altruistic Pandit Suresh Sugrim, has been engaged in some unbelievably great charity works in Guyana and the United States.

They say that a great leader can inspire and motivate his/her people to great heights and lead them in the correct path in life. The priceless charitable activities that this Humanitarian Mission has engaged in and accomplished thus far and still aims to do are tangible testimony of the dynamic leadership of its leader - Pandit Sugrim.

I've never met someone who is so very passionate and determined about tackling some of the worst vices that afflict our society in Guyana and here than Pandit Suresh. This gentleman lives, breaths and works most dilligently, tirelessly, selflessly and effortlessly to improve the lives of our sick, down-trodden and poverty-strickened sisters and brothers and their children across the length and breath of Guyana. This is Pandit Suresh's sacred religion; this is his Dharma. His entire being, from the very depth of his soul, is consumed and deeply concerned with helping and speaking for the helpless and their children.

Years ago at Tain Hindu Mandir in Berbice, during the Indian Arrival Day celebrations, the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana at that time summed up the essence of the Mahabharata as: "Humanity is the highest of religions."

It is safe to say that Pandit Suresh is truly practicing the teachings of the Mahabharat. He honestly and whole-heartedly stronly embraced "humanity as the highest of religions" philosophy, it does not matter what is the race, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex or age of the individuals. The bottom line is their dire, poor living conditions. This is his calling and he has channelled his energy, time and effort into this cause. Marvelous and admirable indeed. Great work, Pandit Suresh.

As a matter of fact, this should be all our causes. As fortunate ones, we have a duty and responsibility to give selflessly in whatever little ways we can to improve the lives of our less fortunate sisters and brothers. But, how many of us are doing that? How many of us take a minute to think, you know, instead of spending the money at the clubs or buying alcoholic beverages or other items that give you more diseases in the end anyways, let me donate a dollar or two to a charitable organization that will help feed a hungry child, give medicine to the sick or send a poor kid to school?

At some point in time, we need to get serious about life and the purpose of life. This is the time to start getting serious. Charity is an integral part of all major religions of the world. Remember, we cannot see the Creator with our naked eyes, but we see the creation in front of us. And as the great Mother Teresa once said, by serving the sick, poor and down-trodden, one is directly serving God.

The Pandit Suresh Humanitarian Mission is a great way to start giving your donation without any fear at all. Rest assured that your donation in whatever way, will go directly towards the needy and sick. You can choose how you desire your money to be spent. You can choose from among three categories: Education, Housing or Medical help. Each penny or dollar you donate will reach its target 100 percent.

This NJ Humanitarian Mission is a great charity to get involved in. Let me stress that it is absolutely corruption-free and is headed by some of the most sincere, honest, hard-working and genuinely real people you can ever meet. I can attest to this.

Now, you can donate money and used but decent clothing for the folks back home. Pandit Suresh is not asking for alot, just start with a $1.00 each each; if 1,000 of us donate $1.00 each, that tallies to a $1,000.00. Isn't that great? Do you know how much help that could be to the needy back home? And the bonus is, you can tell Pandit Suresh how you want your money to be spent, and he'll oblige.

Please spread the word around to your family and friends about the extremely great cahritable work of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir,Inc. Humanitarian Mission. Let us get involve and help to alleviate poverty and help the sick folks in our motherland - Guyana. They need our help. There can be nothing more satisfying and rewarding in life than to help the less fortunate ones. That is the highest of religions.

If you would like to talk to Pandit Suresh or set up a meeting with him to discuss the work, he can be reached at: (973) 868-6163 or email him: ssugrim@aol.com.

More information is below:
New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., Humanitarian Mission
A Tax Exempt, Non Profit, Religious, Cultural and Charitable Organization
Reply to: P.O. Box 5119 - 191- 193 Woodlawn Avenue - Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: 201-938-0220 Fax: 973-680-1593 -
E-mail: njarya@aol.com
Website: http://www.njaryasamaj.com/

Below are some photos of the Humanitarian Mission activities in Guyana.

Children receiving uniform vouchers of GYD$3,000.00 each ... our leaders of tomorrow.

A walk to stop domestic violence in Guyana, another critical issue that needs to be addressed..

Dr. Sugrim (brother of Pandit Suresh) hands over a wheelchair to a patient.

A new house built for a deserving couple in Canje, East Berbice. Beautiful dream come through.

Used clothing being distributed to folks in need in Guyana ...

FUND-RAISER FOR SANATAN MANDIR OF FLORIDA AT FAIRFIELD PAVILION

Pandit Yoga Ramnarain of Queens, organized a fund-raiser dinner and cultural evening at the famous Fairfield Pavilion at 131st Street on 101st Avenue, Richmond Hill, to gather funding towards building the Sanatan Mandir of Florida, located in Kissimmee, Orlando. That event was held on 7th February, Sunday gone.

The evening attracted a wide section of folks originally from Corentyne, Berbice in Guyana, who are now residing in New York State.

Pandit Yoga's father, Pandit Baljit Ramnarain has spent his entire life serving the Hindu community and helping them to uplift themselves spiritually and culturally. His spiritual journey began at a very tender age at Whim Village where he was born and the surrounding villages, then moveed on to New York City and now to Orlando, Florida, where he is currently residing.

His unconditional love for God and his Dharma is evident in the words he speaks and the manner in which he speaks. He is a very soft-spoken person, who chooses his words very carefully and makes sure that the words he utters are beneficial to the people he is speaking to.

At over 70 years-old, he should be retired and be enjoying the remainding part of his life, living with his children and grandchildren. He should not be taking on the monumental task of building a huge mandir for his Florida community from stratch. But, he is a man of God and he has tremendous faith in his Dharma and himself. He saw the need of the people in the community and decided to build them a place of worship. That is the most beautiful and fundamentally important task any leader, be it spiritual, community or political, can undertake for his/her people.

He has mortgaged his own home in Florida to help build this new mandir for the people in Florida. Currently, devotees go to his house in his living room to perform Puja and worship. Satsangh is held every Sunday and on all major festivities and parbs at his home.

For someone who has took on this extremely challenging task single-handedly, he deserves our full support. This great act will go towards the upliftment for the future generations to come in Florida and for the preservation of Dharma.

My heart goes out to him because of such a great job that he is doing down there. He is an embodiment of goodness. To top it all, he is such a humble, kind-hearted and divine soul, who went through quite alot to see this project come through for the folks in Florida. We need to help him see this great dream become a reality.

I'm calling on all of you out there who is concerned about the preservation of Dharma and the spiritual upliftment of future generations, to pitch in and help this Florida Mandir Project. For more information on how you can help, go to the website: http://www.sanatanmandirflorida.com/ or call Pandit Yoga Ramnarain at: 917-302-3813.

Let's come together and support this project - it's a great cause. Below, some photos of the dinner at Fairfield Pavilion.

Pandit Baljit Ramrarain thanking the New York folks for their continuous help ...

A section of the gathering ...


Three generations of Ramnarain, Pt. Baljit, Hema and Pt. Yoga (L-R).

2010 BLIZZARD COVERS THE NYC METRO AREA IN INCHES OF SNOW

The New York Metro area is covered in a blanket of snow... pristine white stuff falling from the above. It's called the 2010 Blizzard and it is it going to be hitting the area until the late evening. Many areas are covered with from 6 to 12 inches of snow and in some areas, more.

New York authorities are advicing people to stay indoors unless it is a necessity to go outdoors. If you're driving, take it very slow. Slow and steady wins the race. Please check on the elder folks to make sure they are doing alright.

Mass transit is operating, however, after 4:00 PM, fewer and fewer trains will be running. Visibility is poor. Folks, if you're out and about, try to get home safely.

I was out for a bit ... did thoroughly enjoyed trudging through the snow and walking in the middle of the streets, with minimal of traffic.

In the Richmond Hill, Queens area, there is over 12 inches of now on the ground so far.

Below are some photos of my date with Mr. Snow.

View at the 111th Street subway in Jamaica, Queens.

115th Street on 89th Avenue in Richmond Hill.

2010 CENSUS - LET'S STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

2010 Census is fast approaching. April 1st is Census Day, when everyone has to fill the form and mail them back to the Census Bureau. Every household will recieve the Census questionnaires in February - March in the mail.

The Richmond Hill 2010 Census Committee has kicked off with a big bang its media campaign on Thursday Feb. 4th at the Villa Russo at Lefferts Blvd and 101st Avenue to educate our community about the importance of filling out the 2010 Census form.

Let me stress that it is extremely pivotal that each one of us in Richmond Hill and surrounding areas spread the word of the 2010 Census. We need to impose on our people that it is time that they take a couple of minutes to fill the 10 questions on the 2010 Census form and mail them back in to the Census Bureau. There are only 10 very simple questions, which even their 10-years-old and 12 years-old could fill out.

Everyone in a household needs to be counted, whether they are in the army, relatives living in the basements or attics, and babies. Everyone must to be counted.

Why is it that important to be counted in the 2010 Census? Because you deserve to have your fair share fo the $400 billion alloted by the Federal Government annually to communities across the United States. This money is distributed to communities based upon census data collected by the Census Bureau. Look at it as your own money paid in taxes. You deserve every bit back.

Where does that money go? To improve your lot, to enhance infrastructure in your neighborhood.

To provide better conditions at the schools your children attend, which will help them to excel in their education. You are aware of the over-crowded John Adams High School. That is a result of not filling out the Census form years ago. We need more schools in Richmond Hill for the growing number of children in the community. The 2010 Census is a solution to the over-crowded problem in the high schools.

Hospitals, roads, parks and social services are just some of the areas where the 2010 Census money goes to improve conditions in our community. We need a nice park for the children in Richmond Hill to go to for recreation. Smokey Park is in the heart of Richmond Hill. Why not invest in it's enhancement? Beautify it with a general facelift. Plant more trees and flower beds to enhance its environ. Provide more facilities for the children to play. Create a beautiful park where folks in Richmond Hill will be attracted to it and want to go chill out there. C'mon folks, you deserve a beautiful park in your neighborhood. Fill out the 2010 Census form.

Understand that for each person not counted, Richmond Hill is loosing $30,000.00. Each one of us is worth $30,000.00 of the Federal money. You do the Math in your household. Count the number of persons in household and multiply by $30,000.00. That is the amount of money you can bring in your community. Your community needs you. So, please don't let it down.

And most critical, your immigration status is of no importance to the 2010 Census. There is absolutely no question on the 2010 Census form about your immigration status, so, whether you are a citizen, resident, undocumented, it does not matter, just fill the 2010 Census form and mail back to the Census Bureau. Your information on the form is very CONFIDENTIAL. There is NO shared information policy with other departments in the US government.

For more information on 2010 Census and the jobs available, please contact the Richmond Hill 2010 Census Committee at 347-414-SEVA or MAIN STREET INSURANCE AGENCY, located at 108-05 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419, Tel # 718-848-7610. Ask for Stanley Raj. He will answer any question or concern you may have.

So, folks in the Richmond Hill community, let's work towards improving this community which we adapted as home. Let's take the time to fill out the 2010 Census form and mail it back in to the Census Bureau. Let's make Richmond Hill a neighborhood our children will be proud to call home.

Below are some photos of the 2010 Census media blitz at the Villa Russo.

Leaders from the community...