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Pujya Swamiji with Vivek Oberoi, Yashodhara
Oberoi, Suresh Oberoi, and local villagers
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| On the 30th December, Pujya Swamiji, Vivek
Oberoi, Vivek's family, Sadhvi Bhagwati and rishikumars from
Parmarth's Gurukul came down planning to adopt 500 orphans
or to build an orphanage. Further, we were planning to spend
New Year's with the tsunami victims to offer them hope and
peace. However, upon seeing the devastation wrought on the
villages, we decided to stay and to adopt and repair the entire
village of Devanampattnam, a village with about 3000 families
that was devastated by the tsunami. |
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The
majority of the village was decimated.
Nearly every home within 500 meters
of the coast was destroyed, boats were lost
or damaged, and possessions disappeared.
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| We began with a beautiful yagna and puja ceremony
on New Year’s Day, led by the rishikumars in which we
prayed for peace for all the departed souls and chanted Shantipath.
Further, we pledged our support and assistance for all surviving
members of the village. |
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Thus India Heritage Research Foundation
and Yashodhara Oberoi Foundation have joined hands and
formed PROJECT HOPE for the relief,
rehabilitation and reconstruction of the village of
Devanampattnam (and hopefully other villages as well
after we finish Devanampattnam). We are also joining
hands with other organizations and with the local people
and local government. |
| The spirits of the Devanampattam village
people have begun to be restored. Project Hope has been
instrumental with short term relief supplies (food,
medical supplies, tarpaulins and other essentials) as
well as providing emotional and spiritual support to
the shattered communities of people. Most importantly
the long-term rehabilitation process, already well established
has given the people renewed hope. Some of the rehabilitation
efforts are not only renewing the people’s hope
but are actually enhancing and enriching their lives. |
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