April 1995 Volume 1 Issue 2 Prof Rama N Sharma The BSNA Convention The Keynote speaker- A dream come true A reputed scholar by Anoop Bhargava

apna loves to dream, may be it warmly at Days Inn. The hotel- room was neat is in her name or what? She is a and clean and had two double beds. She was sophomore student at MIT and glad to find that the hotel had an outdoor visiting her parents during the swimming pool, volley-ball courts, health and spring break. Her parents had come to racquet club facilities. United States about twelve years back when After a quick registration (and a cup of coffee), she was five years old. She had grown up in she started mingling around in the crowd. She this country and it had been mostly an was glad to find that there were enough people interesting and challenging experience for from her own age group. There was one face her. that looked very familiar to her but she couldn't On Saturday, her father and mother were figure it out. Finally she went and introduced Prof. Rama Nath Sharma, the Key-note watching an old Hindi movie of Dilip Ku- herself. He turned out to be Vinay, her one speaker at the BSNA convention, is a Professor mar and Madhubala. Sapna got bored , she year senior at MIT. They had seen each other picked up something from the table to read of Sanskrit in the Department of Hawaiian and and went to her bedroom and started flick- Indo-Pacific Languages at the University of ing channels on the TV. She was also read- Hawaii, Honolulu. He is a Sanskrit scholar of ing what she had picked up from the family Amitabh Bachchan, international fame. He has published scores of room. After changing channels for about Michael Jackson poems, literary criticisms and articles on lin- fifteen minutes , she finally settled to watch guistics in general, and Hindi linguistics in Saturday Night Live. It was one of her to attend the BSNA convention? particular, in journals of repute. His recent favorite shows. She doesn't remember (nor publications include books on Hindi and do we) how long she watched the TV but Panini (the famous Sanskrit grammarian of the soon she was cruising in the dream-land and 5th century BC). Perhaps the most significant this was no ordinary dream. contribution of Prof. Sharma is a five volume She found herself in the peaceful town of study on Panini's grammar of the Sanskrit Allentown, Pennsylvania where the first language that started in 1978. He has com- Convention of Brahman Samaj of North pleted four volumes.; three of these have al- America was being held. Her father Viresh ready been published by Munshiram Manohar- had talked to her about the convention in the lal, Publishers of New Delhi. The final volume evening but Sapna had strongly resisted the is expected to be completed by the end of idea of going there. She had been in many 1995. In his own words “What a relief!” similar events before (generally dragged by Prof. Sharma received his MA in Hindi Lit- her father, as she claims). All she heard in Ramesh Pande with Sushmita Sen erature from the University of Allahabad and those events were the problems that parents in Linguistics from the K.M. Institute, Agra. face in raising their children in this foreign Not only them but many stellar dignitaries He received his Ph.D. in General Linguistics, land. Nobody wanted to listen to what the including Sushmita Sen (the Miss Universe), from the University of Rochester, Rochester, children have to say or the problems they Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, and Dilip Ku- New York. He studied Sanskrit and rituals at face in trying to keep a balance between two mar will not attend the BSNA convention. Feel home from his father. different cultures . So even in her dreams cheated? Sorry, just a little editorial joke. It is Prof. Sharma, the eldest son of Sh Raghunath Sharma and Smt.Bacci Devi, was born at Chhata, Bal- she was surprised to find herself there. Must the season of Holi that induces such jokes. The next sentence is true, honest. Michael Jackson lia in U.P. Prof. Sharma is the worthy son of a worthy be Dad's conspiracy, she thought. father. His father, Sh.Raghunath Sharma, a famous But once she was there, the first thing that and Amitabh Bachchan will be there, not in scholar of Sanskrit, was a recipient of certificate of struck her was that everything seemed to be their original personality, but as impersonated merit and Padmashri from the President of India, and in order. She and the family was greeted by our star entertainer Ramesh Pande. See p4. also the first to receive the coveted Rs. 100,000 award, Sanskrit Vishvabharati, from the Prime Minister

Brahma-Bharati Publication of the BSNA The Pre-covention Issue event as a novel way to meet relatives and From your Editor friends, and make some new ones at the same Welcome to the second issue of the Brahma- From your President time. This will be the first convention of its Bharati. The first issue was very well received type ever held outside India, and this you for which we sincerely thank all our readers Dear fellow Brahmans: cannot afford to miss. All signs are that a and authors. We particularly thank those read- We have moved forward once again on sev- historic occasion is in the making. Everyone, ers who were kind enough to give us their eral fronts. It is heartening to note that our two including the local guests, will be staying at suggestions and comments- compliments as recent publications, namely the Brahma the Days Inn. well as criticizms. We have seriously consid- Bharati and the directory of Brahmans, have In my last communiqué, I wrote about our ered all the comments and already introduced been received with great enthusiasm, pride massive mail campaign for new members. The some changes in this issue. The most striking and a sense of accomplishment. response is encouraging but much more is change that you may have already noticed is The plans have now been finalized for the neded. You have seen how your one name was the spelling ‘Bharati’ instead of ‘Bharti’. Your annual convention set for July 1 and 2, 1995. It transformed into a directory of 200 names. comments on this and the future issues will be will be held at the Days Inn Conference Cen- Simply stated, you received a return of 200 most welcome. This is your journal. Please do ter, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, not New Jer- times the investment in less than a year. The write to us. Keep your computer keys clicking. sey as previously announced.. This is the most return is actually much larger when one adds A special note of thanks to Mr. Ram Bhar- ambitious project undertaken thus far by us. the benefit of our own newsletter and an an- gava of Indianpolis for his help and support in The registration campaign has been very suc- nual convention. Who else, if not you, can tell bringing out the Brahma-Bharati and the cessful as 75% of the rooms have been already others about our exceptional achievements to BSNA directory. His press, the Bhar Printing assigned. We are planning to welcome up to the prospective members. Please lend us a Inc. of Indi- 400 fellow Brahmans about half of whom will hand. anapolis, han- be young adults and children who were born We plan to open Chapters of the BSNA in dled the difficult outside India, and will be curiously looking to major metropolitan areas. I am very positive task of printing find what does it actually mean to be a Brah- about the future of BSNA, and I am certain we and mailing the man. Many of the participants are seeing this will prevail if we have your active participa- two publications with exemplary Sharma, Bronx (R1) (718) 379-5449; Nirmal efficiency. Your BSNA organization Choubey, Manlius (315)682-5013, Satchida- Some readers Board of Trustees nand Mishra, Webster (716) 872-5985; North inquired about Members: Ram D. Chaudhary, Oswego, NY Carolina- Ramlal Pandey, Dunn (910) 892-6181; the significance or wisdom of printing the (315) 343-3583; Onkar P. Dwivedi, Guelph, ONT Ohio- Shive K. Chaturvedi, Upper Arlington (614) (519) 822-2534; Satya S. Pachori, Jacksonville, FL 481-9614; Oklahoma- Arvind K. Chaturvedi, picture of a barking dog in the editorial col- Norman (405) 329-2590; Ontario-Liladhar umn. It was actually a mixup. I intended to (904) 737-7829; Ghanshyam N. Pandey, Burr Ridge, IL (708) 789-0569; Rama Nath Sharma, Mishra, Missisauga (905) 828-6475, Ganesh publish my own picture but by mistake I used Honolulu, HI (808) 395-2400; Suresh C. Tiwari, Pandey, Orleans (613) 837-7466, Rekha Sharma, the dog’s picture since the two pictures looked Fayette, MS (601) 786-3408. Oakville (905) 827-4955; Quebec- Lakshmi S. so much alike. “That can not be true,” says a Dube, DDA (R6) (514) 685-4278; South Dakota- Executive Committee: Chandradhar Dwivedi, Brookings (605) 697-5987; friend, “because the dog looks smart.” All President: Nirmal Choubey, Manlius, NY (315) Texas- Pooran C. Tripathi, Houston (R4) (713) right, the real objective was to convey the 682-5013; General Secretary: Shyam N. Shukla, 984-9946, Shambhu N. Tripathi, Spring (713) 350- message that barking editors dont’ bite. Fremont, CA (510) 770-1218; Treasurer: Bha 9294; Virginia- Ajay Pandey, Yorktown (804) 766- It is the season of the Holi--the festival of Dutt Shukla; Asst. Secretary: Lakshmi S. Dube, 2075; West Virginia- Surendra Dwivedi, Morgan- DDA, P.Q. (514) 685-4278; Shrinath Dwivedi, town (304) 598-2646. humor and the spring season with all its colors. Calgary, ALTA (403) 274-0269; Kailash C. However, at the moment, sitting in Colorado (R- indicares responsibilty for a region as Sharma, Bronx, NY (718) 379-5449; Hans identifed below ) with several inches of snow outside, Spring Upadhyay,Elk Grove, IL (708) 529-7957; Shrikant Regions : feels to be remote. Nevertheless, Holi does Vajpayee, Hattiesburg, MS; (601) 268-6615. 1- NORTHEAST: bring back nice memories. Recently, a friend Area Coordinators: CT/DC/DE/ME/MD/MA/NH/NJ/NY/PA/RI/VT/ told me about the Akhil Bhartiya Moorkh Alberta- Shrinath Dwivedi, Calgary (R7) (403) VA/ WV Sammelan (All India Fools’ Convention) that 274-0269; Arizona- Prem Bhardwaj, Mesa (602) 2- SOUTHEAST: 897-1340; California- Shyam N. Shukla, Fremont AL/FL/GA/MS/NC/SC/TN used to be held in Delhi on the day of Holi (R5) (510) 770-1218; Colorado- C.P. Misra, 3- MIDWEST: every year. An important activity of the con- Littleton (R4); Florida- Satya S. Pachori, IL/IN/IA/KY/MI/MN/MO/NE/ND/OH/SD/WI vention was the election of the Maha-Moorkh Jacksonville (904) 737-7829; Hawaii- Abha Dubey, 4- SOUTHWEST: (The greatest fool) who chaired the conven- Honolulu (808) 373-2827; Illinois- Pradeep AR/CO/KS/LA/NM/OK/TX tion. Once this honor was given to the Mayor Sharma, Aurora (708) 898-3889; Hans Upadhyay, 5- WEST: Elk Grove (R3) (708) 529-7957; Indiana-Anil of Delhi. In his Presidential speech, the Mayor AK/AZ/CA/HI/ID/MT/NV/OR/UT/WY Bajpai, Indianapolis (317) 299-4323; Lousiana- 6- CANADA EAST: made the key statement that only fools can Dhirendra Sharma, Alexandria (318) 445-9841; NB/NF/NS/ONT/QUE/PEI save the world. Unfortunately, that proved to Maine- Mahesh Chaturvedi, Bangor (207) 848- 7- CANADA WEST: be his undoing. The delegates immediately 3512; Maryland- Jitender P. Dubey, Greenbelt ALTA/BC/MAN/NWT/SASK/YU protested that the Mayor had made a wise (301) 474-7161; Massachusetts- Anita Dubey, statement and, therefore, was not worthy of Wilmington (508) 658-2411; Awadh K. Pandey, Plainville (508) 699-8450; Michigan- Subhash C. Brahma-Bharti published by Brahman Samaj of the honor of chairing the great convention. Upadhyay, Fenton (810) 629-2770; Minnesota- North America (BSNA), POB- 371, Manlius, NY There were many such interesting events. I Satyendra Chaturvedi, Minneapolis (612) 566- 13104-0371. Editor- Dr. Vinod Tewary. toyed with the idea of starting a similar activity 3103; Mississippi-Shrikant Vajpayee, Hattiesburg All correspondence to Brahma-Bharti should be here. However, my friend is unenthusiastic. “It (R2) (601) 268-6615; New Jersey-Dhirendra K. addressed to the Editor, c/o BSNA at the address would be impractical,” he says, “Too many Shukla, Murray Hill (908) 665-8590; Yogi Shukla, given above, or e-mail given below. Cherryhill (609) 489-0373; New York- Kailash C. E-mail: [email protected]. people will qualify.” Happy Holi. Brahma-Bharati April 1995 Page 2 The same question- the A word from your General same answer Secretary By Dr. Vinod Tewary By Dr. Shyam Shukla Same questions come up - again and again. Is the This is an appeal to all our members to set aside the BSNA an attempt to resurrect the infamous Hindu period April 15 to May 15 for the membership drive. Panditji bought a rather expensive pure caste system? Is it a narrow minded, conservative, and We ask that you contact 10 prospective members and wool sweater for his teenage daughter. When reactionary association? Is it relevant in thecontempo- stay in touch until at least three of them have signed up. she tried the sweater, Panditji asked her how rary American context? The answers are also the same- Without your active participation, we will not succeed in -in that order--NO, NO, and YES. it was. “Oh Dad,” said the daughter enthusi- reaching our modest goal of increasing the membership No rational person would support the evils of the astically, “It is cool.” to 500. BSNA is currently engaged in four initiatives. Hindu caste system. At the same time no rational “What a waste of money,” Panditji said in These are: (i) Directory of brahmans in North America, person would deny or disown his/her own identity. The (ii) a quarterly news letter, Brahma-Bharati, (iii) annual disgust, “For that price, I thought it would be point is simply this. It is perfectly natural, desirable, convention, and (iv) Chapters in major metropolitan very warm.”* and indeed important, that persons of similar interests, areas. culture, or heritage, interact with each other. Once we These are solely for the benefit of the Brahmancom- accept similar people coming together, weautomati- munity. The directory allows us to network with others cally introduce a boundary defined by that similarity of of similar background and interest. Kids can find the interest. At the same time, we transcend some other right college, and may be even their first job. Adults may boundaries. For example, the Hindi Samiti willintro- find another person who has tackled the same issues that duce a barrier of interest in Hindi, but cut across the he or she is facing now or is likely to face in future. The boundaries of caste, religion, or nationality. An Indian convention could be a place to spend time with friends association will cut across the barriers of languages, and relatives, all at one nice location and also at the same regions, etc., but will be restricted to Indians. Similarly, time with no dishes to wash or house to vacuum.House- the BSNA brings brahman on one platform, andtran- wives please note. The chapters allow a more intimate scends all other barriers of language and regionalaffili- relationship than it would be possible otherwise. This is************* ations. where religious and cultural functions are held. Ram: Hey, Mohan, I heard you won $100,000 Of course, brahmanatva is much more than just a Won’t you please make those calls today! at Las Vegas. Is it true? casual interest. It is a heritage, a specific cultural background, and a philosophy of life. It defines the Mohan: Not exactly. essence of our personality. It happens that brahmans The BSNA News Ram: Well, what is the truth? have been the elite of the Hindu society. However, the *The BSNA is registered as a Not-For-ProfitCorpo- Mohan: One thing, it was not at Las Vegas. It argument is not whether being a brahman is better or ration in the State of New York. was at Atlantic city. worse than being something else, but that is what we *Mr. Bhaw Dutt Shukla of New York is the new Ram: Oh, that’s all right. How does the place are. .If we disown ourselves, we would lose our basic Treasurer of the BSNA. strength. Hindus have been ruled by others for more matter? Let’s celebrate. *Mr. C.P. Mishra is the Area Coordinator of the than a thousand years. The rulers have always tried to Mohan: Then, the amount was not $100,000. Colorado area. discredit Hindus in general and brahmans in particular It was only $20,000. *Mr. Dhirendra Sharma is the Area Coordinator of the because the brahmans were regarded as the biggest Loisiana area. Ram: That is still a good amount. Come on, threat. Alexander the Great (so-called great) was let’s celebrate. finally beaten by one brahman, the great Chanakya. *************************** Mohan: Finally, I did not win that amount. I Yet, the brahmans did not accept any material benefits. Meeting at Old Bridge, NJ lost it. Chanakya, who could become the king, did not even By N. Choubey accept the primeministership. Traditionally, brahmans On January 21, 1995 a luncheon meeting was hosted ************* have supported other communities (I am sure there by Mr. & Mrs. Kailash and Savitri Sharma of Bronx, Geeta: Happy birthday, Shanti! would be exceptions). It is largely because of the New York, at the residence of their daughter and Shanti: Thank you. constant propaganda by our foreign rulers, that some of son-in-law, Richa and Shivendra Pandey in Old us think that it is (pseudo) fashionable to disown our Geeta: How old are you now? Bridge, New Jersey, in their absence. The meeting was heritage and feel ashamed about our cultural back- Shanti: Forty one. attended by 22 people. We also had a visitor from ground. Rising above the caste system, or having a Geeta: Come on, you said the same thing on Europe. An excellent pot-luck luncheon was arranged friendly attitude towards other communities, does not by Mrs. Neelam Agnihotri. Most of the time was your last birthday! require that we disown ourselves. devoted on the make up of the directory, database and Shanti: Yes, of course. You see, I am not one It is normal, indeed necessary, to give ourselves a membership registration form. Some attendees felt of those, who keep changing their statements. label of identification. For example, all of us have a passionately about many of the questions asked on the first name and a family name that defines our family , Once I say something, I stick to that. forms and would like to see them omitted. Thismeet- caste, or subcaste affiliations.. The whole purpose of ing was unique in the sense that not even a single the name is to provide an identity label. Being a person was opposed to the idea of forming BSNA, and brahman, or whatever our cultural background is,pro- The poetry corner were very appreciative of what had already been vides a wider identity. We all take pride in our lineage. achieved. Several members volunteered to help in the In order to be pseudo-fashionable, are we supposed to membership drive. About half of the attendees were From Ramcharitmanas be ashamed of our name, our origin, our family, or already directory participants and several others have ourselves? People who have a strong self-respect, also (By Tulsidas) joined us since then. The attendees were Anoop and respect others. If I am proud of my own culture and Rajni Bhargava, Prabudh and Manorama Misra, (in Hindi) heritage, I will expect that a person of other culture will Kailash and Shiela Sharma, Kailash and Savitri Vari Mathe ghrit hoi baru also be proud of his/her culture. I will, therefore, have Sharma, Rajendra Shukla, Virendra Nath Ojha, Nand sikta te baru teil; a natural respect for other cultures and communities. and Munna Jha, Vinod Tiwari, Vinod Bhardwaj (from On the other hand, if I have an inferiority complex Binu Hari bhaje na bhav tarahi, Holland), Vijay and Ranjana Agnihotri, NeelamAgni- about my own culture, I can not treat the other cultures yehu siddhanta apail hotri, Chandra Pandey, Kavita Pandey, V.P. Kaushik, with any respect. and myself with my wife Mukul. (Approx. translation) There is something inherently scientific andrefresh- Welcome to BSNA May be, water if churned long enough, turns ing about the unity in the diversity of brahmans. The into butter; or one may get oil from sand; but different subcastes of the brahmans like Shuklas, We welcome the following new members Mishras, etc., are very close and related to each other. Chaturvedi, Prasoon and Neelima (Waltham, MA); one can not cross the ocean of life, without The reason is that a traditional brahman marriage is Dixit, Rajiv and Madhuri (Baltimore, MD); Jha, Nand worshipping God. This theory can not be vio- arranged between families of different subcastes. As a Kishore and Munna (Bronx, NY); (cont p7-mem) Brahma-Bharati April 1995 Page 3 All roads lead to Allentown, Pa Ramesh Pande The Hollywood Yogi Good news for all those who plan to attend Preparations are going on at a frantic pace What the hotel promises the forthcoming BSNA convention. Ramesh for the first BSNA convention to be held on The Days Inn Conference Center at Allen- Pande, one of the greatest Indian entertainers July 1-2, at Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mr. town, Pa, where the BSNA convention will be in the USA, will be present at the convention Anoop Bhargava, the Coordinator, and other held, has following facilities and amenities: and has promised to perform at the cultural members of the Convention committee, Dr Outdoor pool; sand volleyball court; 27 acres program. He will also give a yoga demonstra- Anita Dubey, Mr. Ramakant Chaturvedi, Mr. of grounds; shooter's sports bar & grill; Valley tion during the picnic. Kailash Chandra Sharma, and Mr. Dhirendra cafe (full service); 282 guest rooms; free park- Ramesh Pande hails from Lucknow. He Kumar Shukla. They are working really hard. ing for over 700 cars; free USA Today newspa- worked in Bombay before moving to Holly- By all indications, it is going to be a great per; free incoming faxes; free local calls; just wood. He has acted in several Hindi and event. There is going to be something for minutes from Lehigh Valley international air- English movies such as Don, Razia Sultan, every body. In addition to various thought port (free transport); nearby health & racquet Waqt Kee Deevar, Atoot Rishte, Halloween provoking talks and discussions, there will be club facilities (guest privileges)l all rooms Madness, and has a role in the Jungle Book, lively cultural programs. Teenagers will be equipped with in-room safes; self service a recently released CD ROM. In addition, he given a full session for saying whatever they washer/dryer; centrally located between is a TV host and producer. His show regularly want to say. There will be a dance session Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton. airs on the Century Cable in California. The with a professional DJ, and a KaviSammelan. A friendly reminder dignitaries whom he has interviewed on his The keynote address will be given by Prof. We trust you have already filled out your TV show, include Ms Sushmita Sen, the Miss Ramanath Sharma of the University of membership form and paid your subscription. Universe, Ms Kavita Chabra, the Miss India- Hawaii. Prof Sharma is an internationally If not, please do it as soon as possible. The United States, and Rahul Roy, the famous acclaimed expert of Linguistics, and a scholar membership form is printed in this issue. actor. He is also a mime expert. His imper- of Sanskrit and Hindi. We will have Ramesh Needless to say that the publications and other sonation of Michael Jackson is always a big Pande with us who is from Hollywood and is a activites of the association cost money. It is hit. He is well versed in Indian folk and film star enterainer as well as a yogi. Finally, we getting increasingly difficult for us to send the dances. Overall, Ramesh is a great enter- will have a whole day of picnic with lots of publications to those who have not yet paid. tainer. His entertainment shows have won games including some for very young children universal acclaim from the Press with flatter- and a yoga demonstration by Mr. Pande. ing reviews like a ‘sterling show’, ‘the show So, come to the convention for a mini- Sponsors needed of all shows’. He occasionally gives entertain- holiday, away from the daily chores. You will We are looking for sponsors who can donate ment programs at cruises and parties where have plenty of fun--social, cultural, as well as $1000 towards the expenses of the conve- he is always a big hit, and becomes life of the intellectual. But, before that, you have to tion.BSNA needs your support. Please help. party with his stellar presence. register for the convention. See p8 for Ramesh is also an expert yogi. He has taught yoga both in India and the USA for 20 How to get there north (Tamaqua). At light turn right, and return years. He focuses on different aspects of yoga: on service road to the entrance of Days Inn proper exercise, relaxation, diet, and positive Place: Days Inn Conference Cen- Conference Center. thinking through meditation. ter, 1151 Bulldog Drive; Allentown, From East: Interstate 78 west to Exit 15. Pa. 18104. Phone: (610) 395-3731. Continue on Rte 309 north 2 miles: (cross under Convenient Airports: Newark (NJ)- RT 22 bypass). Days Inn on immediate right. Tentative Program 80m, Philadelphia (Pa)-60m. From West: Interstate 78 east to Route 22 exit July 1, 1995: From North or South: North East Extension 15 (Whitehall). Follow Route 22 for 2 miles, 7.00-10.00 AM: Registration of Pa. turnpike to Exit 33, Lehigh Valley. exit 309 north (Tamaqua). Days Inn on immedi- 10.00-12.00 Noon: Session 1 -(Basic issues) Turn east on Route 22, 1/2 mile; Exit 309 ate right. Go to light and return on service road. 12.00- 1.00 PM: Lunch Break 1.00- 2.00 PM: Session 2 -(Keynote Address) 2.00- 3.00 PM: Session 3-Traditional values- young adults’ and teenagers’ perspective 3.00- 4.00 PM: Breakout sessions - “What are the issues?” (Groups 1: Parents, 2: Young Adults, 3: Teenagers, 4: Young Mothers)- Topics and groups to be finalized. 4.00- 6.00 PM: Tea and Check in 6.00- 8.00 PM: Cultural Program 8.00- 9.00 PM: Dinner 9.00- 12.00: Dance/ Kavi-Sammelan

July 2, 1995 : Picnic in the Park from 8 am to approx. 4 PM.: There will be yoga demonstra- tion, award ceremony, games for all ages, songs, and other fun-activities. Breakfast, lunch, and tea will be served.

Brahma-Bharati April 1995 Page 4 Brahman Samaj of North America (BSNA) Directory/Membership Form Yours Spouse

Last/ Maiden Name

First/Middle Name

Ancestral Place

Last education in India Deg/Univ. Yr Last education outside India -Deg/Univ/Yr Profession

Employer/Position

Children #1 #2 #3 #4

Son/Daughter First Name Last or Current ed.. Deg or Gr. /Univ or school(Major/ Yr) Profession

Single/Married

YES, I (We) want to be BSNA member. Enclosed is a check in US dollars to BSNA for: (Please circle one. People outside N. America can become associate members by paying double the amount.)

$5000 (Patron) $250 (Life) $25/ Yr $5/ Yr (full time students) [one copy of the directory and a yr subscription (4 issues) to the Brahma-Bharati free to members]

NO, I (We) do not want to be a BSNA member but enclosed is a check of (Please circle one)

$15-one copy of the directory $10-one yr subscription (4 issues) to the Brahma-Bharati $25-both (No fee required for inclusion in the directory)

Mailing Address Phone number (Day): (Evening): Fax: e-mail:

(Signed)Mr/Ms______Date______

I am willing to play an active role in this effort. Please have someone call me--Yes/No (Please circle one) Please sign and mail this form to For question and comments BSNA please contact your nearest P.O.B. 371 area coordinator or call N. Choubey Manlius, NY 13104-0371 at (315) 682-5013 (Please turn over for the database registration form)

Brahma-Bharati April 1995 Page 5 Brahman Samaj of North America (BSNA) Database Registration Form Note: Please first fill out the registration form for the directory. Yours Spouse

Name

Age on last birth day

Type of brahman/ Gotra Father’s first name

Mother’s maiden name

Children #1 #2 #3 #4

Son/Daughter First Name Age on last birth day

If married, spouse’s name First/Middle/Last Spouse’s profession

A brief family history

Details of children’s academic and other accomplishments/interests

I understand that the database will primarily be used to the benefit of brahman community. I absolve BSNA or anyone connected with this effort from any wrongdoing. I have the authority to sign this waiver.

(Signed)Mr/Ms______Date______

Please sign and mail this form to For question and comments BSNA please contact your nearest P.O.B. 371 area coordinator or call N. Choubey Manlius, NY 13104-0371 at (315) 682-5013 ****************************************************************************************************** Referral Form Please send details of the BSNA and the registration forms to following ( names/addresses/phone numbers)

1. ______

2.______

Brahma-Bharati April 1995 Page 6 at the college but never got a (cont p7-anoop) from a recent movie and by the time she finished herin1985.(cont p7-rns) (fr. p1-rns)Prof. Sharma and his (from p1-anoop)chance to talk to each other. It's a song, everybody was singing and clapping with her. wife Kamala have two daughters, Manimala andNee- small world, they figured. This loud clapping of course woke her up. (see next lam, a son, Alok Nath, and three grandchildren, Mrinal, Soon , the formal ceremony started with the welcome column) It was 2 am in the morning, 'Saturday Night Medha, and Sarang. address in the impressive Ball Room of Days Inn. The Live' was over. She switched off the light and TV, kept “I would like to live it again if I could,” says Prof. purpose and objectives of Brahman Samaj were briefly the magazine that she was reading and, with a smile onSharma. “The greatest thing I learned in life is Sanskrit. explained. What impressed Sapna most was the fact thather face, went to sleep again. Looking forward to retirement when I will get enough a forum was being created to share common experiences When she woke up next morning , she was so excitedtime to read the literature and preach and practice the and provide support to each other. And now was thethat she couldn't wait to tell Viresh about her dream.ideals of the Vedas, Upanishads and the Puranas. A time for mouth watering Luncheon. Sapna always loved She rushed to the breakfast area where Viresh wasgood life should have as its ideal what Kalidasa wrote Indian food. The pure vegetarian food catered by a enjoying his morning coffee. Sapna was still holding theabout the descendants of Raghu: '(I sing praises) of famous local restaurant was delicious. Sapna is very magazine in her hand that she was reading last night.those who practiced knowledge in their adolescence, conscious about what she eats so she was debating aboutDad ! you won't believe but guess where I was in the pursued pleasures in their youth; in the old age accepted 'to go or not to go' for a second helping of dessert. Vinay dream last night? Viresh, who was reading thenewspa- the conduct of the sages; and at the end relinquished this came to her rescue. He told her about the article heper said, without looking at her, “May be in Allentown body by means of Yoga' recently read in the latest issue of American MedicalPennsylvania.” Sapna was totally surprised. “How do Prof. Sharma feels that two things have served as the Association. According to that article , the calories taken you know that Dad?” She asked. Viresh looked up and most sustaining forces in his life: one which he always on week-ends do not count, he told Sapna. Sapna firstsaid “Elementary my dear Daughter”. Firstly, I know wanted, and the other which he never wanted. He always had a big laugh but then couldn't resist believing thatwhere you went in the dream last night because I was wanted to receive the blessing of his elders particularly theory and proceeded towards the zero calorie 'ras-malai' there too , wasn't I ? And secondly the magazine you his parents, and he never wished to incur divine anger. waiting for her. were reading last night is the latest issue of BrahmaAnything other than these two, according to Prof. The key-note address that followed lunch was thought Bharati describing the program about the convention Sharma, has always been the trappings of thesamsara : provoking. It very clearly answered some of the ques- they are having on July 1-2. “Now it is my turn to ask a samsara which has to be dealt with diligence and tions she always wanted to ask. The next session wasquestion,” Viresh said., “Can you guess what I am conscience. There is a lot which is in our own two hands. given to teenagers for ‘talking back’ to the community, Why cry over what is beyond our reach? and gave a chance to everybody to understand the ‘teen’ result, a family would have close relations(contd p7- Prof. Sharma’s hobbies are Astrology, and, of course, perspective. After that there were parallel break-out vkt) (from p3-vkt) with brahmans of other subcastes. appreciation of good food. In recent years, he has been sessions for groups to discuss specific issues. Each This diversity has brought a genetic excellence to the focusing more on meditation and devotion. “Efforts group was 'moderated' by some one from within the brahmans while maintaining the cultural concentra- made in meditation are bearing fruits,” he says, ”The group. People talked about their personal experiences in tion. The feeling of belonging to a diverse yetcultur- future, if pursued diligently, looks very bright.” Cer- dealing with the issues , what worked and what didn't ally unified community gives us a tremendous sense of tainly. We whole-heartedly agree, and look forward to work in their particular cases. Sapna had a lot to talk security along with an open-minded social outlook. and she even got into heated discussion at times but it Most of us who grew up in India, automatically got Joshi, Hira B. and Deepa (Richmond Hill, Ontario); was fun to listen to the experiences of people with whom the benefit of the sense of belonging to a community. Joshi, Madhup (Waikulu, HI); Joshi, Shrikant and she shared a similar background. After talking sepa- Living here, our children may have missed thisadvan- Aracelis (University , MS); Mishra, C.P and Asha rately, the groups came together. Representatives from tage. We, therefore, owe it them, to pass on to them the (Littleton , CO); Misra, Prabudh (Staten Island, NY); each group presented their ideas to each other. Over-all, great heritage that was bestowed upon us by our Misra, Raga and Kamalesh (Hights Town, NJ); Pande, the afternoon sessions helped explain the 'sometime community. This is obviously not an individualprob- Chandra and Seeta (Mclean , VA); Pandey, Aneel strange behavior' of one age-group to other. Sapna felt lem. It is a community issue. But the community here Madhukar (Nashville, TN); Pande, Ramesh Chandra that she knew her father better and understood him does not live next door. It is spread all over the (Los Angeles, CA); Pathak, Bhawani Prasad and Rama more after taking part in this exercise, andcommunicat- continent. We need a platform to bring the people (Hamilton, Ontario); Pathak, Manikant and Chanchal ing to him. together to form the community. The BSNA has been (Corona, NY ); Pathak, Sen and Raj (Missouri City, The evening was reserved for an interesting cultural created to play just that role. The creation of the TX); Prashar, Kanwal Darsahn and Meenakshi program. Sapna was surprised at the talent displayed. BSNA is a start, an important start, but not enough. It (Rockford, IL); Purohit, Nitin D. and Sudha (Troy, There were songs, dances, jokes (good, bad and sic). is absolutely vital that more and more people join it, MI); Sharma, Arvind and Nidhi (Orono, ME); Sharma, There was even a surprise Indian item straight from influence it, and actively participate in the activities of Awadesh and Sunita (Laurel, MD); Sharma, Gopal Hollywood. He was really funny. Some of the artists the association. The strength of a community is in the Chandra and Purnima (Severna Park, MD); Sharma, were truly professional in what they performed. numbers. If you do not like any aspect of the BSNA, or Jagar and Roshni (Franklin Square, NY); Sharma, Sumptuous dinner followed the cultural program. if you feel that it is not adequate, come and change it Kailash C and Shiela (Pomona, NY); Sharma, Kedar Sapna hurried through the dinner. No , not because she from within. We invite you, particularly the younger and Santosh (Bowie, MD); Sharma, Ramesh and Asha was counting her calories but because after dinner was people, to use Brahma-Bharati as the medium for (Flanders, NJ); Sharma, Ramesh C. and Niru (Utica, the program she had been waiting for. The Ball Room frankly communicating your thoughts. Come and MI); Sharma, Satya Prakash (Richardson, TX); was turned into a dance floor and there was theprofes- offer a constructive criticism. We will listen and try to Sharma, Sushil and Pavan (Budd Lake, NJ); Sharma, sional DJ with a catchy beat. Sapna met a lot of other change. Come and make fun of us. We will laugh with Vinod K. and Vinita (Moncton, New Brunswick); people of her age and had a great time. you on our idiosyncrasies. But you have to join us. No Shukla, Anil and Renuka (Trenton, NJ); Tewary, Rajiv Sapna found out later that her father Viresh had a body can afford to be a distant observer. If we do not and Madhulika (Shreveport, LA); Tiwari, Chandra and great time too attending a 'Kavi Sammelan' in the other come together today, our children will be rootless Maya (Jersey City, NJ); Tripathi, Anurag and Sushma room. Even Sapna took a walk to that room during one tomorrow. (Cherry Hill, NJ); Tripathi, Rajkishore and Prabha of her dance-breaks and listened to some of the poems Let it be absolutely clear: the BSNA will promote a (Cambridge, OH); Trivedi, Uttam and Sarita (Glen (without falling asleep, to her credit). Later Viresh and sense of pride in the brahman culture, but at no stage Mills, PA); Upadhyay, Shirish and Anusuyaben (Jersey others joined the dance-crowd. Sapna doesn't clearly the BSNA will advocate any disrespect or animosity city, NJ); Vaid, Prabodh K. and Nirmala (Silverspring, remember till what time she danced but next morning towards other communities, races, or religions. The MD); Vyas, Hasmukh and Shakuntla (Milpitas, CA); she was woken up by her mother because everybody aims and objectives of the BSNA, published in the Vyas, Krishna Kant and Jyoti (Harrisburg, PA); Vyas, was ready to go for a picnic. inaugural issue of the Brahma-Bharati and written in Mahesh M. and Vasavdatta (Bethelhem, PA). The picnic was arranged in a nearby state park. The the constitution, explicitly state that. The BSNA will park had a lot to offer. There was boating , biking, trails, sing the glories of our yesterdays, but live the today, volley-ball and a nice museum. There were lots of and evolve into tomorrows. We derive strength from Sorry to hear games organized for small children and then there were some for 'not so small children'. She really had fun Dr. S.R. Sarma Justice Govind Mohan Mishra playing 'Jeopardy (Indian Style)'. There was a Yoga It is with profound grief that we inform you of the sad We express our condolence to Mr. Gajendra Mohan Demonstration too. Her mother had a great time playing demise of Dr. S.R. Sarma on February 23, 1995. He is Mishra of Fremont, CA on the occasion of the sad 'Antakshari'. There was also an informal cultural pro- survived by his daughter and two sons. He was the demise of his father, Mr. Govind Mohan Mishra, a gram. Normally Sapna stays away from such programs, founder of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and the retired judge of the Patna High Court. Justice Mishra but she was so thoroughly enjoying everything that she Workers College in Jamshedpur. He was well known in was a distinguished member of Bihar State judicial offered to sing herself. She picked a popular Hindi song the community as a doctor and a humanitarian. service for several decades and was a well recognized

Brahma-Bharati April 1995 Page 7 BSNA ANNUAL CONVENTION-JULY 1-2, 1995 AT Allentown, Pennsylvania A two-day fun-filled extravaganza for the whole family plus a SPECIAL TREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND TEENAGERS Please register today Registration fee (for BSNA members): Until May 31, ‘95: $59 per person or $159 per family; Until June 30, ‘95: $69 per family or $189 per family. Registration at the Convention Center: $ 15 surcharge. Nonmembers please add $25. Please call your nearest representative or a member of the Annual Convention Committee. Annual Convention Committee: Anoop Bhargava (Convention Director)(609)896-1423; Ramakant Chaturvedi (610)861-5952; Anita Dubey (508)658-2411; Kailash Chandra Sharma-(718) 379-5449; Dhirendra Kumar Shukla-(908) 665-8590.

REGISTRATION FORM Please register the following person(s): ______/______/______/______

No. of young adults-single(age 20-30)_____ teenagers(age 13 to 19)______children (age 1 to 12)_____ toddlers?_____ Please describe if anyone in the party has an interest in performing:______BSNA MEMBER: YES / NO (PLEASE CIRCLE ONE) ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER: ______

Enclosed is a check to BSNA in the amount of:$______(includes one night accommodation, all meals, and entertainment for up to 5 members per family). Please mail the check and the form to: Mr. N. Choubey, BSNA, POB 371, Manlius, NY 13104- 0371. PH: 315-682-5013.

From BSNA POB 371 Manlius, NY 13104-0371

inside...

The BSNA Convention July 1 - 2, 1995

A dream come true- p1 How to get there- p3