Victoria Event

On September 30th an Appreciation Luncheon was held on the campus of the University of Victoria in Canada. Here in the capital of British Columbia we celebrated decades of support at a gathering hosted by the Pillay family who lives here. Sadasivanathaswami called each family forward and shared a few stories and examples of their Sivathondu. There were testimonials and tears and lots of love in the room. Each one present felt they were undeserving, that it was just part of their life to do these things. But then that is how the generous of heart always feel. Paramacharya made it clear that though we were honoring a few, there were far more around the world that deserved to be in the room. He mentioned that we are all fulfilling Gurudeva's visions and projects under Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's amazing oversight.

As Gurudeva loved to say, "Just a little bit of kindness is so easy to express. Just a little bit of kindness heals the mind. And in this day and age, when so many are frustrated, troubled and need a little bit of help, appreciation and encouragement, your kindness can help. The kindness that you express in what you do is healing unto you, too. So, see yourself as a being that always expresses kindness."

The room is long and narrow, but the appreciation was short and wide

Four of the honorees: Suriyakumar, Deva Rajan, Rajiv Malik and Hiryana Gowda

Paramacharya chose a central stage and one by one called everyone forward

Rajiv and Renu Malik were first, as they had traveled the farthest to be here, all the way from New Delhi

Paramacharya spoke of Rajiv\

s 25 years as our senior correspondent, and shared a few life-threatening moments he had gahering stories for Hinduism Today'

Ranu was equally praised for her support and for enduring a sometimes hectic schedule followed by a journalist

View of the garden outside the event

Thamby Kumaran\

s quiet, creative work with the monastery building projects was elaborated (with suitable gestures). Thamby\'s architectural work has guided every major monastery project, including the Media Studio, recent hydroponic greenhouse, and more. '

Thamby recently felled two giant trees at his forested home in California, a gift to future mandapams on Kauai

Thank you, Thamby

Next comes the Tanzi family, from Boston. With hardly a word about his famous genetic discoveries, Paramacharya shares the accomplishments of Dr. Rudy Tanzi.

Rudy\

s guidance on science and health was highlighted, as was his tweeting out of Gurudeva\'s teachings to the world of science. Rudy offered that his NYT bestselling books, Super Brain and Super Gene \"would literally not have been possible without Gurudeva\'s insights in my life.\"'

Asha and Lyla were honored for their ongoing work on an 8-year-old edition of The Path to Siva which they are working on. They are on chaptere 29.

Deva and Gayatri Rajan\

s lifetime of Sivathondu were spoken of next.'

Paramacharya gave Deva (and each family present) a small set of Tiruvadi, the Guru\

s holy feet, small enough to travel wherever they go'

Hiranya and Saraswati Gowda from Nashville, Tennessee, are next

They have been major supporters of Hinduism Today over the decades, and of the Hinduism Today Production Fund. For seveeral years they have sent Hinduism Today subscriptions to all 1,250 ministers in the Indian government upper and lower houses, feeling that the nation needed such guidance and knowledge. Now that\

s a strategic move.'

Dr. Gowda spoke movingly of what the monastery means to them

His visits to Kauai have become an important pilgrimage.

Deva and Amala Seyon are brought forward

Paramacharya thanks them for their daily servicce at the monastery, hosting and helping in a thousand unseen ways

As the next few photos show, there were some compelling stories and tales which moved us deeply

This couple has touched thousands of souls with their devotion and deep example of Saiva culture

A major part of the event coordination team: Archana, Divyesh and Dishanna. Archana had to leave for Boston the next day.

Mrunal and Padmaja, from Midland, Texas, are next

Paramacharya speaks of Mrunal\

s teaming up with him in Siva\'s Sacred Garden, and how he underestimated the physician\'s landscape skills'

And the couple\

s care of Satguru during his Texas visits, including the amazing interfaith events there which Padmaja orchestrated'

They receive the golden feet along with a few words about how Padmaja worked hard with the GK team to assemble a major magazine story on the discovery of plant-based diet and health in the most recent issue. Paramacharya also speaks of their example as diksha shishya, implementing Gurudeva\

s ideals into every corner of their life and instilling those wisdoms in their daughter heart.'

Rajiv returns to the stage to share a few words about his years of working with the monks and his adventures at four Maha Kumbhamelas

Rushika, Suriyakumar from Diablo, California, and sister Lucky from London are called forward

Paramacharya tells everyone how for seven years this family has been helping with the magnificent bronze statues, how Rushika flew to Loveland to help with one of the masterpieces (she is herself an artist and collector)

Their amazing support for Iraivan Temple is highlighted as they receive the holy paduka

Our Canadian hosts, the Pillay family, don\

t want to come up, but Paramacharya insists '

They do so much and say it is nothing of merit. Such a selfless spirit. The family spent hundreds of hours so we could be together on this sweet afternoon. They speak of how their 2011 visit to Kauai changed everything in their life, and how their love of the monastery and its teachings continues to inspire them each day.

All present stand to applaud their kindnesses

Nagarajan was in college in Malaysia in 1993 distributing Hinduism Today when he first met a tall, white haired guru from Hawaii

Paramacharya thanks them on everyone\

s behalf'

Giving the small sacred sandals to those who give so much

All the men

And all of the women. Jai Gurudeva!

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