Newsletter – July 2021
| Presidential Message – V. Balaraman I write this month’s update with a lot of mixed emotions. Solar Solstice is over and the days are perceptibly shorter. We continue to be in the grips of the Pandemic even as we make valiant efforts to return to a semblance of normalcy. LOTUS will continue with our journey of reaching out to support community needs both near and far. We keep postponing our in person annual event including a gathering to thank our volunteers from last Diwali with continued caution from our members in avoiding personal contact. We will continue to look for opportunities to set up for an open gathering.  With a heavy heart I am sharing the news of Janardhan Iyer passing away in Chennai, India on July 8th 2021. Many of you will remember “Jana” as a true devotee and presence at the Wahiawa temple taking the bus from town to Wahiawa and getting there before anyone and starting to set up the tent to provide shade from the blistering sun for the later arriving members of the community. He moved back to India several years ago to be closer to his and Nithya’s parents and support them during their old age. He always was the first to step forward to help anyone in need in the community. After prolonged hospitalization, he lost his battle fighting the COVID-19 infection. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Nithya and their talented son Tharun who is currently preparing to come to the US to do his Masters. Please keep their family in your prayers and do not hesitate to reach out to them if you know them to provide moral support as they navigate this challenging time in their life. This year across the globe the average life expectancy has decreased and this is attributable to the pandemic. It is clear that companionship during these difficult times is critical and we have a long time family associated with us who lost a faithful and loving family member after 17 years of companionship. Raja shares his story about Daku in the Community Corner section of this newsletter. In closing, even as we begin our journey into the second half of this year, let us work together on efforts to support those around us and also continue to practice personal well being. The volunteer leadership of LOTUS is willing to hear these ideas and work on them but being a very small organization, making some of a reality does take time but without this community input we would truly not a community organization. Please also encourage interested individuals new to the community to check out our website and to contact me to be included in this newsletter distribution. |
| Community Corner – Raja Narayan shares the story of the loss of a long time family member and a true companion Au revoir, Daku – Daku the Norwich Terrier, a beloved family member who attended many Diwali programs and Bhangra Boyz practices, passed away on 22 June 2021 at the age of 17 years and 2 days. He may be the only dog to ascend the summits of both Mauna Kea and Haleakala (by car), first peak of Olomana (by rope on the final stretch), Diamond Head, Haiku Stairs (in a carrier), and Kuliouou (many times). He also discreetly visited many restaurants, attended performances at Blaisdell, LCC, Iolani School, and other auditoria in a bag. Here is a photo of Daku with some of his family at a LOTUS Holi celebration in Wahiawa many years ago. Thank you, Daku.  |
| Temple Activities – July 18th, 2020 Despite being out of town Dr. Bhawuk has planned to officiate the monthly pooja for this month. He will be supported in this effort by “Babu” Choppari and Shailesh Mehta who will be physically present at the temple in Wahiawa. Please feel free to come to the temple if you are comfortable with a commitment of practicing appropriate personal and communal safety protocols. We will again broadcast this month’s activities on Zoom. Look out for a brief separate email for the link to the pooja. We appreciate the efforts of many who have taken up the call to assist with keeping the Temple grounds clean to the best of our ability. Please continue to do your part while visiting the temple.  |
| July-August Calendar July 18 – Wahiawa Temple Pooja Day July 20 – Eid al-Adha/Bakrid July 24th – Guru Purnima August 1 – Friendship Day August 10 – Islamic New Year August 15 – Indian Independence Day August 15 – Wahiawa Temple Pooja Day August 21 – Onam August 22 – Rakhi/Raksha Bandhan August 30 – Krishna Janmashtami |
