I attended the NC Pratham Young Professional meet today at Royal Dhaba.  I like to share few things with you about today's meeting.

We want to prepare next generation of leaders
Gunvanth Bhakta is the Pratham NC chapter president.  He spoke at the meeting and mentioned that there are two reasons for the Young Professional Meet.  One is to spread the awareness of Pratham and its work.  Second is to attract young professionals to take leadership role.  He mentioned that he wanted to pass on the baton to young leaders so that they can continue the tradition of helping underprivileged kids with literacy.

Pratham is India's largest non-profit organization working in the area of primary education. Their mission says "Every child in school and learning well". Pratham's focus is on pre-school and primary education. Since its inception in 1993, Pratham has impacted the lives of 32 million underprivileged children in India by giving them the gift of literacy.

Received from Ashok Ji.  I am just posting it on his behalf.

 

Religions of India field trip was conducted last week by Afroz Taj and John Caldwell.   The trip visited the Sikh Gurudwara, the Hindu Bhavan, and the Raleigh Islamic Center on Sunday after-noon.

I am trying to refinance my home to take advantage of low interest rates.  I filled an application and I got a call from someone with in a day.  The person on the other side asked 'Are you Satish Babu?', to which I replied 'Yes'. 

Someone asked about how to get wealthy.  Although I have not become wealthy, I do believe that I will be in future!!  Think and Grow Rich is a book that motivated me and gave me boat loads of confidence.  The book was written by Napolean Hill in 1937.   Although it is outdated, many of those principles still apply.  These principles can be applied not just for acquiring wealth but also for acquiring anything that you dream of.  Here is a quick summary  -

Prana pratishta is a ceremony to infuse life into diety (murti) as prescribed in Agamas.  In beginning the murtis are just a granite sculpture, but at the end of the Prana pratishta, the sculpture is turned into living form of God.  It is a very elaborative 5 day process.  Here are the few major steps -

• Maha Ganapati puja and other preparatory rituals
• Kalasa Sthapana - where the power of the divinities are invoked in the waters kept in pots
• Agni Pratishta - establishing the fire for performing homam
• Vastu Puja and homam to worship the Vastu Purusha
• Ankuraarpanam is seeding of the soil; the growth of plants from these seeds symbolizes the prosperity of the temple
• Adhivasams - Sculptures are kept in dhaanyam (paddy), jalam (water), and resting of the Murtis in new clothes on beds.
• Moola mantra homams done while reciting the moola mantra for each divinity to invoke the power of the deities in the Sculptures.
• Kumbhabhishekam - Kumbha (Shikara or dome) of the temple is bathed with holy water from sacrificial pot.  The pranic power trickle down a silver wire and enter the Murti installed in Garbha Gudi.  That is exact momemt when the Murti is transformed from a granite scultpure into living form of LORD.  Final
• Netronmeelanam is opening the eyes of the Sculptures (until then the eyes are covered)

Prana Pratistha is a rare occasion.  Its a great opportunity for us to witness this proess and learn about it. 

April was yet another excellent month for ApnaTriangle website.  Thank you all for making it a very successful month.  There were more than 6,000 visits by about 3,000 unique users.

Here are the details from January through April -

 I was born and grew up in a city.  I never forget my trip to my Uncles home in a village when I was just 10 years old.  Village was fun with all the animals around and very caring relatives around.  I saw a very cute little puppy.  Its ears were unusual and they straightened and formed a triangle over its head when it looked curiously.  Puppy loved to play with me. 

That night, I wanted to sleep outside.  Its like camping out for a city kid.  My uncle didn't want to and he scared me by telling that there are snakes outside.  I didn't listen to him (how many 10 year olds listen to their Uncles?).   At the end, my uncle unwillingly accepted for that.  Middle of the night I felt something strange on my legs.  I got scared and I slowly lifted my head and saw a cobra ready to bite me.  I started praying, 'God, please get me out of this trouble.  I had been a good boy all along.  Please save me!!!'.   Nothing happened.  My legs started shaking and I moved my legs a little bit.  The snake was still looking at me.

Thanks to ApnaTriangle visitors for making it a very successful month.   ApnaTriangle had close to 5,000 visits.  We started in December '08.  Here are the details -  

 

I was at Dorton arena today again.  The rehersals for Sundays program was going on.  Many of the businesses were are already setting up the stalls.   Sarees, Salwars, fashion jewelry, wall paintings are alerady being setup.  The venue was busy and getting ready for the tomorrows festival.

 8,000 people are expected in 2 days.   More than 5,000 people are expected tomorrow.