GHHF Year end Report of activities and accomplishments; Donations requested
“You came into this world with fists closed and you go away with open palms. So even while living stretch your hand open and give liberally.” Kabir
As many of you know that Global Hindu Heritage Foundation was started in 2006 with a mission to make every effort to repeal the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act, restore the independent management of Hindu Temples by Hindus themselves, make Hindus aware of the plight of Hindu Temples in the hands of government, ensure that the Hindu Temple lands are not auctioned or sold, urge the government to renovate and repair all the dilapidated Gopurams and Temples, recover all the lands that were encroached illegally or obtain market value for these lands, approach the government to rectify the abuses of Hindu Temple assets, challenge the sale and encroachment of Hindu Temple lands, advocate the implementation of Article 48 to protect the cows and close down the slaughter houses, revive the pride and prestige of the glory and grandeur of Sanatana Dharma, and encourage implementation of various activities that make Hindus appreciate the meaning and significance various rituals.
Many our scriptures such as Rig Veda, Bhagavad Purana, Mahabharata, Apastamba Dharma Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Chandogya Upanishad, Taittireya Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Tirukkaral, and others talked about the importance and significance of Daana (charity) without any expectations from the receiver. The scriptures also talk about the worthiness of the cause, time to give, and qualifications of the receiver. They even mention as to what to give at what time, whom to give, when to give and how much to give. The whole purpose of Daana is to purify one’s life, uplift the spirituality, build up good karma, and improve the quality of life. Giving is more than an obligation. It is dharma – righteous act. This is the message Lord Krishna conveyed in these two verses in Bhagavad Gita:
Of sacrifices, the sacrifice performed according to the directions of scripture, as a matter of duty, by those who desire no reward, is of the nature of goodness. (Bhagavad Gita 17:11)
That gift, which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness. (Bhagavad Gita 17:20)
Sage Vyasa also mentions that one should do wherever he gets an opportunity to support the worthy and charitable causes. According to scriptures, Hindus are ordained to donate generously for all good causes. Hence, donations are recommended to build Temples, wells, lakes, schools, Goshalas, Annadana facilities and others. Daana to these worthy causes also make one overcome the attachment to the material objects that is essential for spiritual growth. It is believed that the more we give more we get. The satisfaction one gets by giving cannot be described.
Finally let us remember the great saying in Taittireya Upanishad says:
“Srddhaya deyam, Asraddhaya'deyam, Sriya deyam, Hriya deyam, Bhiya Deyam, Samvida deyam”
“Give with faith. Do not give without faith. It should be given in plenty, with modesty, with sympathy, with sensitivity. Give with a feeling of abundance. Give with right understanding”
Accomplishments and Activities of GHHF / SaveTemples
1) Pujya Sri Vijayananda Teerdha Swami, the Junior Pontiff of Avadhuta Datta Peetham of Mysore in March, released Devalayam CD. Triple Gunnies World Record holder, Ghazal Maestro Dr. Ghazal Srinivas, rendered Singing and music compositions. The CD contained ten powerful songs in Telugu depicting the significance and importance of Hindu Temple. Sri Rasaraju, Sri Siraasri, and Sri Tataparthi Gopalabalam composed the songs.
2) Fundraising concerts with Dr. Ghazal Srinivas were conducted in Dallas and Houston in May.
3) Dr. Ghazal Srinivas was appointed as Brand Ambassador of SaveTemples of Global Hindu Heritage Foundation.
4) SaveTemples office was opened with three full time employees in Khairatabad, Hyderabad in July. Ghazal is the in-charge of the office and coordinates all activities to protect Hindu Temples. He appeared on numerous occasions on TV channels talking about the significance of Hindu Temples.
5) Ghazal Srinivas lectures were extensively printed in Eenadu, Andhra Bhoomi, Sakshi and other papers.
6) Honorable Sri C Ramachandraiah, the Minister for Endowments Department was invited to Dallas in August as a Chief Guest at the International Symposium on the Status of Hindu Temples. With Dr. Ghazal Srinivas as Chief Coordinator of the Symposium, fifteen panelists presented their concerns and made about 100 appropriate recommendations on various topics:
- Temple Lands
- Lease of Temple lands
- Encroachment of Temple lands
- Temple Funds
- Demolition of Temples & Renovation
- Jewelry
- Employees and Salaries; appointments
- Priests
- Cows
- Facilities –Accommodation Sanitation prasadas
- Conversion / Missionary activities, Article 28
- Board Members / Acharya Sabha’s Role
- Vision of Temples
- TTD Vakulamata temple
- Unions at TTD / Sevadalas
- Tourism – Pancharama
- Miscellaneous Items (security – police force)
7) “Adopt a Temple” initiative was announced by Sri C. Ramachandraiah, who promised Dollar for dollar matching grants to any body who would like to renovate old Temples in their respective villages that are under the Endowments Department. Government Order (G.O.) is expected to be announced soon.
8) coordinated five lecture on various topics in Chicago are by Dr. Subramanian Swamy.
9) SaveTemples organization under the guidance of Dr. Ghazal Srinivas conducted ON THE SPOT DRAWING by school children of ages between 10-14 in 25 schools about their concept of Hindu Temple. Twenty-five schools participated in Hyderabad. Winners will be announced on January 8, 2013.
10) Following the recommendation of Dr. Ghazal Srinivas, Endowments Department issued a G. O. declaring Karthika Purnima as “Nadula Arthi“ Day. The Department organized and coordinating this initiative in fifteen different on the banks of three sacred rivers – Krishna, Godavari and Thungabhadra. Ghazal gave a powerful speech in Rajahmundry on the banks of Godavari exhorting all the Hindus to protect their Temples and rich cultural heritage. Lakhs of people participated on the initiative by dipping in the holy rivers and offering Deepam to the rivers. Honorable Sri C Ramachandraiah, Minister for Endowments, Smt. Chitra Ramachandran, Chief Secretary for Revenues (Endowments and Sri Balaramaiah, Endowments Commissioner have fully supported the effort and the credit to pass the G. O. goes to them.
11) A lecture entitled “The Power of Tolerance and management tactics of Karya Siddhi Anjaneya Swamy” was organized at Alpharetta Adult Activity Center, Alpharetta, GA November 18, 2012. An eminent scholar, Sri C. L. Prabhakar, Professor of Vedas at Hindu University of America, Florida, delivered the scholastic discourse. The professor is also director of Vedadhyana Kendra, Bangalore and president of World Association of Vedic Studies (WAVES). coordinated it.
12) and Sanatana Dharma Foundation decided to raise enough funds as a part of Adopt a Temple initiative to build a Veda Pattasala. He met with Sri Ramachandraiah and Smt. Chitra Ramachandran in Hyderabad in November and decided to build it on five-acre lot to be donated by Government in Ahobilam on the banks of beautiful lake.
13) On December 13, 2012, we met Honorable C. Ramachandraiah and smt. Chitra Ramachandran and submitted about 25 concerns for them to take appropriate action.
14) On December 13, 2012 a letter was submitted to Honorable C Ramachandraiah and Smt. Chitra Ramachandran thanking them for organizing a very successful Nadula Arthi program and also requesting them to declare January 14 as ‘Gopuja Dinotsavam” day where all the Hindu Temples will recognize the sacredness and usefulness of COW by doing puja that includes applying tilak on the forehead, decorating the cow, applying vibhuti to the horns, circumbulating the cow, chanting appropriate slokas and offering Arthi.
15) Ghazal Srinivas and Prakasarao Velagapudi spoke remembering the invaluable contribution of Sri Vedantam Satyanarayana Sharma, who played women’s role superbly all his life. Similarly, both of them spoke on the activities of SaveTemples and GHHF on the 90th death anniversary of the legendary singer Sri Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao.
16) Prakasarao Velagapudi appeared on Vedika program of Sakshi TV on early hours on December 14.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLX3S7OL160
17) Similarly, he appeared on Guest hour that was broadcast on Gemini News on December 16. You can watch the interview by clicking on the link:
18) Interview was conducted by HMTV channel on December 21 to be broadcast in a couple of days.
19) Ghazal Srinivasa and the entire GHHF organization supported Vakulamata Devi Temple diksha and demonstration by Swami Paripoornananda. We were able to meet Swami Paripoornananda personally on 14th December and had a very fruitful discussion. He also sent special message appreciating the efforts of GHHF and SaveTemples initiative.
20) Some of our Board members, Executive Committee members and many people from India have pledged to renovate their Temples in their respective villages. Once Government Order (G.O.) is issued, we will take up these projects.
21) Attended NATS as special Guest on December 17 at Ravindrabharathi in Hyderabad and spoke about the activities of GHHS and SaveTemples initiative.
22) Prakasa Rao V V was invited as Chief Guest by Nada Veda Adhyayana Kendra Annual Meeting to be held on December 29 in Bangalore. This meeting was also co-Sponsored by Waves (World Association for Vedic Studies, Inc. USA.
23) Please visit Facebook page for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/ghhf.rakshak
Donations
As many of you know that SaveTemple Office was opened in June 2012 in Hyderabad. Office is located in Khairatabad. Dr. Ghazal Srinivas and his family is coordinating and managing the office activities. Four full time employees are working on the update of our website, Aalayavani Web Radio, Aalyavani magazine, conducting various activities to preserve and protect Hindu Temples and Culture. Our budget is approximately 2 lakh rupees per month. We request your generous donation to conduct our activities.
Please DONATE. Your donations are appreciated to continue the work.
NOTE: GHHF is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue code. Our tax ID # 41-2258630
Please send your tax-deductible donations to: Global Hindu Heritage Foundation,
You can go to https://www.savetemples.org and pay by PAYPAL.
For more information, please visit our websites:
https://www.savetemples.org
http://www.globalhinduheritagefoundation.org
Listen to our web Radio: http://www.aalayavani.org/
Read our magazine: http://aalayavanimagazine.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ghhf.rakshak
Please subscribe to Save Temples Telegram channel at https://t.me/savetemples
GHHF Board of Directors
Prakasarao Velagapudi PhD, ( cell), ( home); (; ); (); K. R. Venkatramaiah (Canada) PhD (); (); (); (); (); (); (); (); (); (); (); (); Murali Alloju MD (703-953-1122); Veeraiah Choudary Perni MD (330-646-8004); Vishnu Kalidindi MD; and Dr. Ghazal Srinivas, Honorary Brand Ambassador.
GHHF Dallas Core Group
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