A Quarterly Publication of Brahman Samaj of North America. President Message

BRAHMA BHARATI A Quarterly Publication of Brahman Samaj of North America Volume 10 Number 3 October 2008 Editor: Anjana Bhargava Nameste, President Message BSNA ORGANIZATIONAL CHART Executive Committee President Mr. Purushottam Sharma Executive Vice-President Dr. Om Sharma Vice-President Mr. Bharat Mohla Vice-President Vacant General Secretary Mrs. Rita G. Pandey Treasurer Mr. Anupam Choubey Assistant Treasurer & Editor, Brahmakulum Dr. Ajay K. Pandey Editor: Brahma Bharati & Brahma Vani Mrs. Anjana Bhargava Editor: Home Page Mr. Tilak Raj Sharma Director Database Mgmt Mr. Raga Misra Youth Group President Ms Aradhna Sharma Vice President Mr. Ankit Mohla Vice President Mr. Himanshu Sharma Secreatry Ms. Seema Ratti Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Mahendra Pal Misra Dr. Shiva Bajpai Mr. Lila Dhar Mishra Mr. Nitin Purohit Mr. Dharam Pal Salwan Dr. Naresh Sharma Mrs. Mamta Tiwari Dr. Janeshwar Upadhyay Dr. Hans R. Upadhyay Dr. Lakshmi Shanker Dube Dr. Shyam N. Shukla Dr. Mani Yegnasubramanian Convention Dirctor-2008 Mr Pardeep Sharma Chapter Presidents Arizona Mr. Munnu Bajpai California (Bay Area) Mr. Kuldeep Sharma California (San Diego) Dr. Ved Prakash Pathak California (Sacramento) Mr. Pardeep Sharma California (L. A. area) Mr. Raga Mishra Colorado Dr. Ashok Saraswat Florida Vacant Georgia Vacant Illinois Dr. Subhash Pandey Indiana Dr. Mahesh Jha Louisiana Dr. Madhurendu Kumar Minnesota Mr. Satyendra Chaturvedi Michigan Mr. Kamal Sharma Mississippi Dr. Chandra Mani Pathak Missouri Dr. Shivendra Shukla New Jersey Mr. Hari Sharma New York (Long Island) Mrs. Ranjana Pathak New York City Mr. Ashok Kumar Awasthi New York (Upstate) Vacant Ohio Dr. Raj K. Tripathi Ontario (Southern) Mr. Anil Sharma Pennsylvania (Eastern) Mrs. Vimlesh Misra Quebec Dr. UmaNath Tiwari Tennessee Dr. Mahendra K. Sharma Texas Vacant Virginia Dr. Janeshwar Upadhyay Washington, DC Dr. Gopesh Sharma The fourteenth Annual Convention of the BSNA was held on July 4-6, 2008 in Sacramento, California. Everyone who attended the Convention enjoyed it. This year there was something of interest to everyone and ample time to mingle with each other. We had sessions on Medical topics and sessions for the youth. The Sacramento Chapter did a wonderful job in arranging the convention. The BSNA Executive Committee (EC) appreciates their dedication and hard work. Your EC appreciates your sponsoring the 22 Ekal Vidyalayas last year. On behalf of the EC I request you all to please renew your school sponsorship for this year and let me know once you have mailed the check. You can directly mail the check to Ekal Vidyalaya and write on the check Sponsored by BSNA Dr. Surendra Pandey resigned from the position of Editor, Braham Bharati. The EC is very thankful for all Dr. Surendra Pandey has done for BSNA in this capacity. I am very pleased to inform you that the EC has formally approved the appointment of Mrs. Anjana Bhargava as new Editor of Brahma Bharati. This issue of Brahma Bharati is Anjana Ji s first issue. Dr. Tej Pandey has requested to be relieved of his voluntary duties as Editor, BSNA Web Page by December 31, 2008. This has been their family decision and I was unable to convince him to continue for one more year. Dr. Tej Pandey has helped BSNA for many years and the EC appreciates his hard work. Shri Tilak R Sharma of Farmington Hills, MI has kindly agreed to help BSNA as the Editor of Web Page. For smooth transition Dr. Tej Pandey has agreed to help the new Editor. Dr. Raga Misra, LA chapter president had arranged a meeting of the members on 31 August at the Woodlands Restaurant, Cerritos. I with my wife Kusum attended this meeting. Here we discussed among other things how vital it is to update the membership information in the BSNA directory. Dr. Raga Misra has kindly agreed to help BSNA to update and collect the most recent and up to date data of BSNA members. Dr. Raga Misra will be working very closely with Mr. Tilak R Sharma and Dr. Ajay Pandey. Your EC s proposal of eventually having membership data on the Web Page was delayed but will be maintained shortly. On behalf of the BSNA EC my sincere thanks to both Dr. Surendra Pandey and Dr. Tej Pandey for their help to BSNA. Please welcome the new appointments of Mrs. Anjana Bhargava Editor Brahma Bharati, Mr. Tilak R Sharma, Editor BSNA Web page and Dr. Raga Misra as in charge of membership data. Purushottam Sharma President, BSNA

Report of the Fourteenth BSNA Convention,Sacramento, CA Pardeep Sharma, Convention Director Bharat Mohla, Convention Chair Fourteenth Annual Convention of the Brahman Samaj of North America was held on July 4 6, 2008 in Sacramento, CA. This year the convention theme was Brahmans in the Western Society. About 75 families attended the Convention. Some delegates representing Brahman organizations came all the way from India to attend the convention. The convention programs were scheduled in a manner that all delegates had enough time for mingling and networking with each other. The registration for convention started at 2:00PM from using email for communications other than just dissipating information and promoted the use of telephone instead. The BSNA President Mr. Purushottam Sharma reported the new appointments and changes in the EC. Mr. Sharma suggested having a joint convention with WBO in December 2009 and not having a separate annual convention of BSNA during July 4 th week in 2009. Subsequently we had an open discussion on the ideas to promote the growth of BSNA. Ms. Aradhna Sharma, Youth Group President, suggested that the youth and children should take some projects with their parents such as fund raising. Also, youth group is planning to start publishing in the BB on a regular basis. Mr. Madan Sharma has kindly agreed to come and attend this discussion. There was a lengthy discussion about the positions of World Brahman Federation and World Brahman Organization. Mr. Madan Sharma brought up as to how these two Organizations could reconcile their efforts especially for the Brahman Unity. Despite very lengthy discussions on this particular topic, nothing concrete could be decided. At 7:30PM all the delegates had a delicious Dinner. on July 4th. At 3:00PM the tea and snacks were made available to the delegates. This teatime was scheduled to provide opportunity for free interaction with each other. The delegates have traveled from all over North America and abroad. At 4:00PM we had a business meeting of the BSNA council (EC/BOT/Chapter Presidents/ committee Chairs/ Convention Committee, etc). During this meeting, Chapter Presidents reported the activities of their respective chapters, suggestion and future plans for appropriate functioning of BSNA at the chapter level. Mr. Pardeep Sharma, convention director and Mr. Bharat Mohla, convention chair, briefed the council on the arrangements of the Convention. Mr. Mahendra Misra, Chair BOT, proposed and every one present agreed to refrain After dinner some of the delegates walked to CalExpo grounds to see the wonderful unrestricted view of the fire works. Later an informal Kavi Sammelan and Gazals program was arranged. This program continued past midnight and every one thoroughly enjoyed it. The Youth committee arranged an Ice-cream social by the Pool, which was reported to be a very good gathering. continued Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 2

Youth group liked this kind of unstructured get together very effective. Afternoon session started with a Panel Discussion from 2:30PM on the convention theme: Brahmans in the Western Society. July 5th started with Yoga class with Yogi Ramesh Pandey followed by Breakfast/ Bhajans. The formal inauguration of the Convention hosted by the Convention Secretary, Mr. Vijay Bhargava started at 9:00AM. Mrs. Anjana Bhargava, Chairperson, Cultural program, introduced Shastri Virendra Misra and the The panelists were three youths and three adults Grand Ball Room was filled with vibrations of Vedic Mantra Chants. Mr. Vijay Bhargava made general and housekeeping announcements to make the stay of delegates as comfortable as possible. Mr. Pardeep Sharma, Convention Director and President, Sacramento Chapter welcomed the convention delegates. On behalf of BSNA Mr. Purushottam Sharma, President, BSNA welcomed the delegates and thanked the Convention Organizers. Subsequently Dr. Ram Karan Sharma, the guest speaker addressed the convention delegates. His speech appropriate to the theme of the convention was very informative and educational. At 10:30AM the delegates adjourned for a Tea break for half an hour. Three parallel sessions were arranged from 11:00AM to 1:00PM 1. Health and Disease Management chaired by Dr. Shri Kant Mishra 2. Vishva Vandaniya Surya Professor Pushpa Jha from India 3. Sessions for Youth Then the delegates had lunch along with family introductions that were organized during this time. Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 The cultural program started at 5:00PM following the afternoon tea break. The cultural program Director, Mrs. Anjana Bhargava and her team had coordinated this very lively program full of dances, songs, skits etc. The cultural program was the high light of the convention and every one enjoyed and appreciated the program given by very talented children, youths and adult members of BSNA. A very sumptuous dinner was served at 7:00PM. During dinner delegates enjoyed a newly introduced program, door prizes, early registration incentive prizes etc. Later Mr. Nitin Purohit chaired a session on marriage related issues starting at 8:30PM. From 9:30PM all were in a very relaxed mood. The youth had a DJ and dance program while the adults enjoyed the Lok Geet and Kavi Sammelan. On July 6th after the Yoga classes by Yogi Ramesh Pandey, the delegates assembled for breakfast and morning Bhajans. The delegates listened to very melodious bhajans by several talented delegates. The general body meeting and award ceremony started at 8:30AM. Cultural Program Director, Mrs. Anjana Bhargava, awarded the Trophies and Certificates to the youth participants of the cultural program. Convention Director and the Sacramento Chapter President, Mr. Pardeep Sharma awarded the plaques to the local convention committee. Mr. Purushottam Sharma gave the awards of national level. The certificates of appreciation were awarded to all the delegates coming from abroad. ---continued Page - 3

The reports were given by: BSNA/BOT chair Mr. Mahendra Misra WBO/BOT chair - Dr. Shrikant Mishra General Secretary of AIKB Mr. R. D. Dixit BSNA President Mr. Purushottam Sharma BSNA General Secretary Dr. Om Sharma BSNA Treasurer Mr. Anupam Choubey A suggestion box was placed to collect the feedback on the various activities of the convention. Local convention organization committee read the comments from the box on July 6 th at the end of convention. Most comments were the complements on a successful completion of a grand task. Lunch was served at 11:30AM. Convention Secretary, Mr. Vijay Bhargava gave the vote of thanks. Shastri Virendra Misra Ji concluded the Convention with the Visarjan Prayers. The success of convention was possible because of the selfless team work of all the members of the Convention Organizing Committees and Mr. Kuldeep Sharma, Janak Sidhra, and Raga Mishra. 26 SUN OCT PRADOSH / DHANTERAS 27 MON OCT 28 TUE OCT NARAK CHATURDASHI/ HANUMAN JAYANTI DEEPAVALI AMAVASYA (POOJAN EVENING 6.41 TO 8.37 NIGHT& NIGHT 10.51 TO 1.08 NIGHT) 29 WED OCT AANAKUT/GOVERDHAN POOJA 30 THU OCT BHRATHA DVITIYA (BHAIDOOJ) 09 SUN NOV DEVOTHANI AKADASHI 14 WED JAN SANKAT CHAUTH (SAKAT) (CHANDRODAYA NIGHT 9.20PM) 15 THU JAN MAKAR SANKRANTI 31 SAT JAN BASANT PANCHMI 23 MON FEB MAHASHIVRATARI 03 TUE MAR Festival Calendar 12 THU MAR HOLI( RANG) HOLASTKA AARAMBHA (HOLI POOJAN BEFORE 9AM MORNING, & HOLIKADHAN AFTER NIGHT 8.38PM ) Supporting Charitable Causes Speech by Mahendra Misra, Chair BOT I am going to talk about supporting charitable causes specially those with which BSNA is associated and the reasons for it. Learning is a two way street. Rigveda, 1-89 says AA no bhadraah kratavo yantu vishvatah which means let the noble thoughts come from every side. Last year Americans gave 3 Billion dollars charity. It comes to $1000 for each assuming the total population as 300 million. We, the Indians have the highest median income of any community in the US. We come from the culture, where how so ever hungry, we were the first bread was given to cow. Cow was a symbol of needy people in the society. Let me go over the reasons. Reason #1 is Self Protection. Several years back the only son of comedian Bill Cosby was murdered for a few dollars. That year Bill Cosby made over 300 Million Dollars. We may live in million dollar homes in gated community but till there is poverty and depravation in the society, we are not safe. Reason #2. We all want our future generations to prosper. When I asked this question to my late father-in law Mr. Sharma, after a brief smile he told me that the secret is give generously to charities. Reason #3. At the graduation of our younger son Rajiv from University of Pennsylvania, the speaker was Mrs. Barbara Bush. She told the graduating class, when the time to leave the world, you will not regret that you did not make one more deal or buy one more property, but that you were not there when a loved one needed you or you did not help someone in need. Reason#4. We would all like to go to heaven after leaving this world. Unfortunately the currency heaven is not dollar, or rupee, or even gold. It is our good deeds. I understand there is a point system. The more points we earn by good deeds (like frequent flier miles, or credit card use) longer we can stay there. By the way there is a problem in heaven. The food is not good. They serve only cold sandwiches. The reason is there are so few people that it is not economical to have a big cafeteria. ----- continued Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 4

Now the reasons not to give. There are many reasons but the most common is that we do not have enough money. Let me tell you a story I read in a publication of Bhartya Vidaya Bhavan. There was a family which was big supporter of charities. Down the generations the family became very poor, but the daughter wanted to keep the tradition, so she used to miss lunch meal once a week and whatever she saved gave it to charity. Now which charity to give. When you give a person fish, you feed him for a day. But when you teach him to fish, you feed him for life. So supporting educational activities is a good way. We at BSNA have started a scholarship to encourage our children to excel in studies. The details are on the web site. BSNA also supports others like Ekal Vidyalaya. There is a saying that more is expected from those who are given more. So let us do our part. BSNA CONVENTION 2008 - ACCOUNT REVENUE REGISTRATION $ 32,008.00 DONATION $ 11,594.00 TOTAL $ 43,602.00 OPERATING EXPENSES REGSITRATION REFUNDED $ 1,354.00 HOTEL (FOOD & LODGING) $37,989.82 PRINTING AND SHIPPING $ 587.22 RAFFLES $ 589.38 PLAQUES, TROPHIES & BUTTONS $ 1,314.80 DJ (RON) $ 400.00 PHOTO.S (CD) $ 200.00 Brahmana* and Brahmanatva By Dr. Shyam Narayan Shukla, Chair, BSNA Religious Committee and Trustee According to the Shastras (scriptures) the definition of Brahmana is: Brahma janati sa Brahmanah, which means, One who knows Brahman (the Supreme Being) is a Brahmana. This, of course, poses a stringent criterion for somebody to be called a Brahman, because not all Brahmanas know (realize) Brahman. A more reasonable definition would be One who strives to realize Brahman is a Brahmana. Now what is Brahmanatva? Brahmanatva, Brahmananess and Brahmanic- Values are one and the same thing. Brahmanatva is the possession of the power to know Brahman. That power to know Brahman comes after a long disciplined life and study of the scriptures. In ancient times Brahmanas were considered as gods-on-earth (Bhu-sur) because of their divine nature (daivi-sampatti). According to the Gita (XVI, 1-3) the divine nature consists of some good qualities, namely, fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, almsgiving, control of senses, yajna, reading of the Shastras, austerity, uprightness, non-violence, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, tranquility, absence of calumny, compassion to beings, absence of longing, gentleness, modesty, absence of instability, boldness, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred and absence of pride. At another place too in the Gita (XVIII, 42) Lord Krishna talks about the same good qualities, which are essential part of a Brahmana s nature. He says the true nature of Brahmanas consists of control of mind and senses, austerity, purity, forbearance, uprightness, knowledge, realization and belief in hereafter. PT MISHRA (POOJA) $ 101.00 To realize Brahman a young Brahmacharin (a MISC $ 50.00 celibate student in pursuit of Brahman) has to BV Publications related $ 2,617.47 achieve the aforementioned qualities that come after many years of education imparted by his TOTAL EXPENSES $45,203.69 $ 45,203.69 parents at home and then by the guru, who teaches Final Balance $ (1,601.69) him at his ashrama. In old days a Brahmacharin had to stay at the ashrama or gurukul (the house of Prepared by - Pardeep Sharma- (Convention Director) a guru) until the age of twenty-five years, to - Manohar Ratti (Convention Treasurer ) practice control of his mind and body and to study - Anupam Choubey (BSNA Treasurer) the Vedas. After his studies he chose to become either a sanyasin (a monk) or a householder. In either case he would pursue to realize ----continued Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 5

Brahman all his life. Only after becoming a Brahmajnani (knower of Brahman) he would accept students to help them achieve the same goal at his own ashrama. According to the Katha Upanishad, in this world, we pursue either preya or shreya. Preya is that which pleases our senses and mind. On the other hand shreya is that which is soothing to our inner conscience. Preya deviates us from Brahman and so it is not desirable. Yet unwise people choose it. Shreya is what a Brahmana should seek for because it leads him to Brahman. ------------------------------------------------------ *The word Brahman (the caste) is usually spelt as Brahman, Brahmin or Brahmana by different authors. Here this author uses the last choice to distinguish it from Brahman, the Supreme Being. BSNA, however, chooses the spelling Brahman. ba/ahmna yaa dilat tilak raja Xarmaa kaona jaanata qaa ek idna eosaa Aaegaa ba/ahmna Gar maom poda hao Aaja dilat khlaaegaa samaya baita duinayaa badlai badla gayaa [nsaana ba/ahmna basa rha laokr ]McaI jaat ka AiBamaana saba kao[- Aagao inakla jaaegaa yah baoza pctaegaa kaona jaanata qaa ek idna eosaa Aaegaa ba/ahmna Gar maom poda hao Aaja dilat khlaaegaa pujaa paz ka jamaanaa gayaa samskrt ka pd,naa pd,anaa gayaa iva&ana ko AnaaoKo yauga maom BaUtkala ka izkanaa gayaa ba/ahmna nao kbai saaocaa nahimo rama rajya calaa jaaegaa kaona jaanata qaa ek idna eosaa Aaegaa ba/ahmna Gar maom poda hao Aaja dilat khlaaegaa phlao &ana ki [jjat haoti qai Aba posao kao salaama krto hom ijasako pasa ho bamgalaa gaad,i saba ]sai kao p/naama krto hom pmidt jai kao kovala janma AaOr marna pr baulaayaa jaaegaa kaona jaanata qaa ek idna eosaa Aaegaa ba/ahmna Gar maom poda hao Aaja dilat khlaaegaa puranao saoz pujaa paz krako doto qao ba/ahmna kao dana Aba saozaom ko pasa samaya nahim na rhi ba/ahmna ki pihcaana itlak ba/ahmna CaoTo kama nahim krogaa tao Gar garhsqai kosao calaaegaa kaona jaanata qaa ek idna eosaa Aaegaa ba/ahmna Gar maom poda hao Aaja dilat khlaaegaa Mrs. Anjana Bhargava, Editor Brahma Bharati Family and Education Background: Mrs. Anjana Bhargava was born and raised in the industrial town of Yamuna Nagar, Haryana (India) in a BHARGAVA family, full of intellectuals. Her father Shri Keshab Dev Bhargava (Jabalpur, MP) was a Chemical Engineer and her mother Smt. Luxmi Devi (Bhopal, MP), was a staunch religious woman and a strong proponent of Hinduism. She has five sisters-all professors and lecturers, decorated with Governor of Haryana and President of India s Best Teacher Award. Her two brothers: an engineer and a doctor are Gold Medalists. She completed her BS (Biology), MA (English), and BEd in India. She was awarded an Academic Medal from the Vice Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, Haryana. She also earned an accounting degree in US. Anjana Bhargava married to Mr. Vijay Bhargava of Gurgaon, Haryana. He is an engineer with the State of California. He is an active member of Sacramento, BSNA Chapter and has served as a Convention Secretary for Convention, 2008. Her older daughter graduated from UC San Diego in Bio-Chemistry and working with a pharmaceutical company in San Diego. The younger daughter is in the final year (Biology) at UC San Diego. Extra Curricular Activities: Anjana Bhargava was an active member of College Students Advisory Council and President-Science Association. She represented Kurukshetra University in badminton and table-tennis in Inter-Varsity tournaments. She represented Haryana State in field and track events. She won Best Actress and Best Folk Dancer award in Inter-Zonal Youth Festival. She was honored as best cadet in NCC. She has earned a Black Belt in Karate. She is very proud of the fact that for the first time in the history of her Karate Institute a team of mother and two daughters earned their Black Belts in the same year. She won second prize in the US open Karate Championship (2003) held in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was Youth Coordinator of Sacramento Indian Youth Association (SIYA). Occupation: Anjana Bhargava is currently working as an Accounting Administrator with State of California in Sacramento. She is a member of the BSNA Sacramento Chapter and served as a Cultural Program Chair Person/Director for the BSNA Convention, 2008 held in Sacramento. Currently she is the Editor of Brahma Bharati. Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 6

Los Angeles Chapter Report by Raga Mishra LA chapter held a community meeting on 31 August in the Woodland Restaurant, Cerritos. The chief guests were BSNA president Shri Purushottam Sharma and Mrs. Kusum Sharma. After offering kudos to the 2008 convention organizers for a job well done and thanking Brahman community for attending and making this event so successful, several issues of general interest were discussed. The meeting attendance was less than expected due to conflict with the Labor day weekend activities. It was considered vital to update and refine the BSNA directory (BrahmaKulum) for the success and growth of this organization. This process of updating the directory involves filtering out the obsolete and inactive listings. Currently the total BSNA memberships consist of life members and very few active annual members. Using 2008 Brahmakulam as the starting list, Raga Misra will initiate a test to check the accuracy of the published E mail addresses in the directory. He will send profile update reminders to all the e mail addresses in the directory. The bounced E mail data will be sorted for it worthiness. Life members with bounced E mails will be followed by hard copy reminder. A final notice of de-listing of their names in the BrahmaKulum will be sent to nonresponders, inactive members or people who do not wish to be associated with BSNA. The outcome of this effort will be the identification of a genuine community working together, easy to manage data base, lower cost, better communication and a solid organization to cherish and share their value system. In other news, some of our members including Dr ShriKant Mishra took active part in Jerry Lewis MDA telethon held 31 August to 1 September. For a long time, BSNA has been involved in helping to promote a Hindu University in this country. Few years ago discussions were held with Dr. Deen Dyal Khandelwal, one of the founders of Florida based Hindu University of America for its expansion and to set up an affiliated campus in San Francisco Bay area. The mission of this university is to provide true knowledge in the field of Yoga, Ayurveda, Hindi, Hindu Philosophy, Vedanta, Sanskrit and many more fields. One of our members Dr. Anshu Vashishtha is currently very active in promoting this idea. Anshu, his wife Malini and three bright sons attended our LA chapter meeting. Now Hindu University of America has been reclassified as International Vedic Hindu University (www.hindu-university.com) and is being guided by Paramahamsa Nithyananda. Under Life Bliss organization, he has recently established a new Vedic Temple at 9720 Central Ave. Montclair, CA 91763, Ph.: 909-435-9847. E Mail: www.lifebliss.org. Please contact this organization for further information. Mr. Tilak R Sharma, Editor BSNA Web page Tilak Raj Sharma M.B.A. 24170 Lori Court, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 Life Time - BSNA Past President of BSNA - Michigan Chapter Married to Shashi Sharma Two kids Son - Amit Sharma(married), Daughter - Anurag Sharma (Single) Resident of Amritsar, Punjab, India Retired from Chrysler Corporation Humor Corner A Hindu suffered a heart attack on the road and was picked up by an ambulance. He kept repeating - Hari Om Hari Om Hari Om. When the ambulance pulled into his home drive-way, his wife came out and screamed out to the paramedics: "Why didn't you take him straight to the hospital? They replied "Because he kept saying Hurry home! Hurry home!" Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 7

A Thread of Common Values Unites Diverse People By Aradhna Sharma, President BSNA Youth Group When it was decided the 2008 Brahman Samaj convention was to be held in Sacramento, all I could think about was how excited I was to meet new people with the same background. I still cannot get over the support and ideas I received from the youth all over. Overall, the convention turned out to be a great event where many youth from different states and the same cultural values had the chance to get to know one another. Starting on Friday the 4 th of July, the youth got together in the evening after dinner for an icecream social. Following that, we watched fireworks together and then a few of us even went for a late night swim. On Saturday the 5 th, after breakfast and Puja many different sessions took place. The youth all got together for awhile in the lobby at first and then made our way into a room where we spent time getting to know each other even more. We watched movies and talked about everything from school to our families. Many of us found we had so much in common. After this session there was a panel discussion at which what it means to be a Brahman was discussed. Varun Aery s input during the discussion was much valued. Joining Varun Aery was also Himanshu Sharma and I, Aradhna Sharma for this intriguing debate. Following the discussion there was a variety show in which many youth participated and supported each other. It was a well organized show that kept everyone entertained for a few hours. Later on after dinner, the parents went off to do their own things and the children danced the night away to the DJ s great music. Through this convention I was able to meet people from all around the world with whom I can relate with really well. Sunday morning after a few speeches and breakfast it was just about time to say goodbye. This was a time that I know many of us were dreading. It was hard saying bye to the people we had just spend three fun-filled days with where we got to learn not only about each other, but about our culture and religion too. I still talk to many of them on a daily basis! The first time I ever attended a convention was in 1998 where I happened to meet one of my best friends and this time I made many friends who have now become like family. I learned about what it means to be a Brahman and many of the reasons of why I should be proud of who I am. I would also like to say a quick thank you to the EC for continually supporting us through all this and of course the convention director, Mr. Pardeep Sharma, who happens to be my father, for makthe 2008 convention a successful one. The EC was sure to include the youth in everything it did and ensured us that we were an important part of this organization. For all the youth who were not able to attend the convention or for those who are not yet interested, I cannot even begin to tell you how much you are missing out on. Our generation will one day run this Samaj so it is imperative we participate all we can. Overall the convention was a success and it is owed to everyone who put in a great deal of energy and effort. Thank you all for coming and being a part of this event. Thank you Rita Tiwari and Himanshu Sharma for helping put this letter together Youth Groups Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 8

From the Editors Desk I like to wish all the BSNA members and their families happy Deepawali and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. I like to thank BSNA Executive Committee for the vote of confidence conferred upon me to the appointment as the editor of Brahma Bharati. I ll strive my level best to do full justice to this assignment and of course, it won t be possible without all the support from each and every one of you. Please keep sending me the articles and write ups you like to see published in the future Brahma Bharti. With warm regards, Anjana Bhargava Email:bharfam4@sbcglobal.net Remembrance Mrs. Shanta Choubey, mother of Shri Nirmalendu Choubey passed away on October 18, 2008, in Cherry Hill, NJ where she lived with her daughter Sunita and son-in-law, Virendra Nath Ojha, both Life s of BSNA. She was 88 years old and a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was born on December 6, 1919 in Churamanpur (Buxar), Bihar, India. She was the youngest of the three daughters of Shri Harnandan Pandey, the noted Indian archaeologist. Mrs. Choubey was married Pt. Deo Muni Choubey, a lawyer, and raised seven children in Sararam, Bihar. She shifted to the US in 1981 and became a US citizen. She loved singing, reading and sewing. She attended all of the BSNA conventions through the year 2000 and enjoyed meeting people, and the cultural programs and the sessions. She leaves seven children: four sons Bimalendu Choubey, Nirmalendu Choubey, Kamalendu Choubey and Sudhendu Choubey, and three daughters Pushpa Mishra, Kamini Tiwari and Sunita Ojha. She will be sorely missed by them and their families, which include 24 grandchildren and 13 great grand children. Shri Nirmalendu Choubey is a founding president of BSNA and current President of WBF. BSNA family prays to almighty god for granting peace to the departed soul and strength to the family for bearing this pain. We send our heartfelt condolences to the extended Choubey family. laona dona tilak raja Xarmaa yah isalaisalaa nayaa nahim saidyaaom sao calaa Aayaa isalaisalaa tao vahi ho tarika badla gayaa ho badlao nahim irsto hr vyavahar badla gayaa ho hr [nsaana saaoca rha ho @yaa idyaa @yaa payaa donao vaalaa baaolata ho maonao ]sa kao idyaa laonao vaalaa icp rha ho @yaaom ]sanao ilayaa tba tk icpoogaa jaba tk cauka na payaa kao[- Pyaar sao do samajato hom BaIK do rha ho ja$r kao[- maksad ho jaao hmasao icpa rha ho SaMka mana maom BarI hu[- ho Apnaa hao yaa prayaa Sa-taoM ko saaqa jaud,a huaa ho Aajakla ka Pyaar Aaja daolat ki trajau maom tulanao lagaa ho Pyaar vaao Pyaar nahim krta jaao kao[- taofa nahim laayaa matlaba ki ho duinayaa saari matlaba ijandabaad kaona iksai kao pucta ho matlaba inaklanao ko baad iksamat vaalaa vaao [nsaana ho jaao dujao ko kama Aayaa na kao[- iksai kao dota ho na kao[- iksai sao pata ho Agalaa ipclaa k-ja ho jaao hr [nsaana caukata ho iksa bahanao kao[- do jaata ho Aba tk samaja na payaa donaa hao tao dao iksai kao krko yah ivasvaasa vaaipsa yaid nahim Aayaa tao ibagad,o na kuc Kasa itlak KuSa rhaogao yaid yah farmaulaa Apnaayaa yah isalaisalaa nayaa nahim saidyaaom sao calaa Aayaa Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 9

RANGA-RANG KARYAKRAM/ CULTURAL PROGRAM: By Anjana Bhargava -Cultural Program Director- BSNA Convention, 2008 (Sacramento) In the arena of human life, the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action. BSNA Convention, 2008 Cultural Program participants very well qualify for the above statement. Cultural Program presented a rainbow of items showering a medley of colorful items representing cultural aspects of different states of India. Songs from early 1950s to the present day Bollywood Remix exhibited vocal abilities of various artists. Audience could not restrict themselves to their seats when Mr.Hari Sharma presented his Welcome Song. Audience was kept very much entertained and involved by the jovial interception by four talented and outstanding and cordial EmCees from the Youth Group: Amit Sidhra, Ruchika Mohla, Meha Bhargava and Arti Sharma. They were at their best to get every single person in the audience involved with their American accented Hindi-Punjabi jokes and songs. Once in while, the Hall would reverberate with, CHAK-DE-PHATTE and PANEER-PAKODA their version of spot competition among the audience. BSNA Annual Convention 2008 -AWARDS PURASKAAR (For Cultural Program Participants) Maya Sharma Meghna Choubey Kajal Sharma Ashley Roy Rita Tiwari Anjali Sharma Varun Aery Himanshu Sharma Ripple Sharma Ankit Choubey SHRESHTHA PURASKAAR (For Valuable Contributions to BSNA) Aradhna Sharma Manita Sanwal Seema Ratti Arti Sharma Ankit Mohla Usha Vats Meena Sharma Inder Jit Tejpal Baldev Sharma Saroj Mohla Prem Sidhra Vishal Sharma Balraj Joshi Kamlesh Tejpal Anita Vats Kavita Sidhra Ruchika Mohla Manohar Ratti Dr. Subhash Pandey Ragni Pandey Vimlesh Misra Aseem Sharma Meha Bhargava Aamit Sidhra BRAHMADEEP PURASKAAR (For Important Contributions to BSNA) Vijay Bhargava Anjana Bhargava Raga Misra Himanshu Sharma KARMANISHTHA PURASKAAR (For Extremely Valuable Contributions to BSNA) Dr. Dharam Salwan Janak Sidhra Kuldeep Sharma BRAHMA ALANKAAR PURASKAAR (For Dedication, guidance and important contributions to BSNA) Pardeep Sharma Hans Raj Sharma Bharat Mohla Dr. Tej Pandey BRAHMA SHIROMANI PURASKAAR (For Leadership, Vision and Exceptional Contributions to BSNA) Dr. Shrikant Mishra SPECIAL PURASKAAR Dr. Umesh Shukla Stand-up comedy, Fashion show, Group Dance, Solo performace you name it and it was there. To sum up, Cultural Program was performed by youth of all ages not to be surprised, the youngest performer was three years old. Thanks again to the delegates and EmCees for all their support and cooperation in making my job as the Cultural Program Chairperson/Director so easier and memorable one. As we all know, we can not spell SUCCESS without U. Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 10 EmCees

BSNA Scholarship for the High School Students Who can apply? Any high school senior whose family is member of BSNA and have received admission to an undergraduate degree granting college wthin North America. What is the scholarship amount? The Scholarship amount is $500. - The scholarships will be granted to high school graduates going to college based on: (a) Grades, (b) participation in extra curricular activities, (c) participation in BSNA activities, (d) Needs, and any other criterion to be specified, and (e) an essay submitted by the candidate. -The scholarship winners will be announced during the Annual Convention, generally held around July 4 th every year, and their names and details will be published in Brahamvani and Brahma Bharati. By Mahendra Misra, Chair BOT 2009 BSNA SCHOLARSHIP FORM Name Last First Address Email Address Phone Number Parents Address (If Different) High School Name & Address College Name &Address Class Rank(If available) and GPA Extra Curriculum Activities List of BSNA Activities Participated Attach Brief Bio Data with Photo Attach Essay Email Address: mahendramisra@hotmail.com Mail form to Mahendra Misra, 3008 Marna Court, Eagleville, PA 19403 Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 11

FROM: BSNA P.O. Box 716 Belle Mead, NJ 08502 http://www.bsna.org TO: Brahma Bharati is a publication of Brahman Samaj of North America (BSNA), a not-for-profit organization registered in the state of New York. It is sent to its members free of charge. It is also posted on the BSNA homepage (http://www.bsna.org). s may send articles for publication (with a brief bio and photo) and/or comments to Mrs. Anjana Bhargava editor at: bharfam4@sbcglobal.net Please send change of address information to: Dr. Ajay Pandey, Brahmakulum (Directory) editor at: ajaykp@yahoo.com (phone: 248-656-4144) Other correspondence about BSNA should be sent to Mr. Purushottam Sharma, President at: psharma@mail.com Brahma Bharati, Volume 10 (3), October 2008 Page - 12