Sri Lanka is in the air today. Our HPI editors received this note from Vellore, India:
VELLORE: Matt MacCalla, International Programme Officer, Direct Relief International (DRI), Santa Barbara, California, the U.S., will provide medicines and equipment worth Rs.50 crore (US$2.5 million) for the rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamils affected by the war.
According to Sri Sakthi Amma, head of Sri Narayani Peedam, Thirumalaikkodi, Mr.MacCalla had acceded to his request to make the gift.
The agency would donate medicines, life-saving drugs and medical equipment.
Sakthi Amma said that he had sought permission from Sri Lankan government to visit the island nation and directly distribute medicines to the affected Tamils.
Then a box arrived with this foil sticker, which the monks designed a few weeks back. It is the monastery's gift to the Sivathondan Nilayam on KKS Road in Jaffna. They needed it for putting on vibuthi bags which they give to all visitors, and they had admired the Kadavul vibuthi bags.
There are 5,000 of them on long rolls.
The foil stickers will be hand-carried in August to Sri Lanka and given ceremonially to the institution which Yogaswami himself founded.
During my visit to India in August 2008,I attended a long puja conducted by Sri Sakthi Amma, head of Sri Narayani Peedam, Thirumalaikkodi, Vellore. I also had a long discussion with his office about my deep troubled feelings about my fellow Tamil compatriots in Sri Lanka. I am very delighted that such a divine being will personally visit Sri Lanka and see to it that the medical supplies and aid will go to the intended individuals, namely, the Sri Lankan Tamils. I am equally delighted that the Sivathondan Nilayam on KKS Road, Jaffna, will receive the foil stickers and the plastic sacks to distribute vibuthi pradasam to devotees–donated by your Monastery. Having walked down KKS road from age 9 – 18, I feel somewhat homesick–but certainly feel optimistic that lasting peace will come to the island of Sri Lanka. Thank you all!
July 14th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
During my visit to India in August 2008,I attended a long puja conducted by Sri Sakthi Amma, head of Sri Narayani Peedam, Thirumalaikkodi, Vellore. I also had a long discussion with his office about my deep troubled feelings about my fellow Tamil compatriots in Sri Lanka. I am very delighted that such a divine being will personally visit Sri Lanka and see to it that the medical supplies and aid will go to the intended individuals, namely, the Sri Lankan Tamils. I am equally delighted that the Sivathondan Nilayam on KKS Road, Jaffna, will receive the foil stickers and the plastic sacks to distribute vibuthi pradasam to devotees–donated by your Monastery. Having walked down KKS road from age 9 – 18, I feel somewhat homesick–but certainly feel optimistic that lasting peace will come to the island of Sri Lanka. Thank you all!