BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Chinmaya Mission Atlanta (CMA) hosted a blood donation camp at LifeSouth Community Blood Center in Dunwoody on the April 24, 2010. Community service is an important aspect of Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita and Taittiriya Upanishad talk highly about Giving. Blood donation is one of the highest forms of giving as it saves lives. “We are pleased with the level of enthusiasm shown by our donors and volunteers in making this event a huge success. We look forward to many more such community service projects in future. Our sincere thanks to LifeSouth Community Blood Center for hosting the event”, said Acharya Dr.Raghu Grandige, President and Founding Member of CMA.

LifeSouth supplies blood to many hospitals in the area including Emory University, Scottish Rite, Egleston, Grady, Piedmont and others.” We are pleased to have been chosen by CMA for this community project”, said Mr.Michael Becker, Community Development Coordinator for LifeSouth. 

As part of community service project, CMA celebrated the birth anniversary of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji on May 8th, 2010 at Stone Mountain Park by hosting the Bhutanese community of Atlanta with the idea of providing a networking platform for the Bhutanese and Indian community of Atlanta. 

The program began with a prayer and a message about service, peace, and harmony delivered by Acharya Mrs.Geetha Grandige of CMA. This message was sent to the community from Pujya Swami Tejomayanandaji, the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. On behalf of the Bhutanese Community Sri Narad Nepal Guruji expressed his gratitude to CMA for hosting event. Mr.Ralph Parker, a renowned Community Leader spoke about the challenges faced by Bhutanese immigrant families and the help, resources, and opportunities available to them. Other prominent speakers at the event included Senior Member and Vice President of CMA Sri Manhar Valandji, and Mr.Raja Ghale, President of Nepalese Association in South East America.

Lunch prepared by CMA volunteers was served along with sporting events for the community. Activities included Volley Ball, Cricket, Badminton, board games, hike up the Stone Mountain, and Live Entertainment in the pavilion. Various local artists performed and entertained the audience. Performances included songs and dances in Nepali and various Indian languages featuring devotional music as well as contemporary film music. Acharya Dr.Raghu Grandige welcomed the Bhutanese community Atlanta and said that he was encouraged by the success of the event and looked forward to undertake many more projects in future. “Our goal is to make a positive difference in as many lives as possible through these projects” he added. The event concluded with a prayer by Sri Manhar Valandji. CMA is grateful to the Nepalese Association of Southeast America and SEWA International for providing transportation to the members of Bhutanese community for the event, Stone Mountain Park for sponsoring Venue and Parking, and Drs. Ravi Sarma & Seshu Sarma for all their support in planning the event. 

CMA activities commenced in 1994 with Chinmaya Bala Vihar classes at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta. CMA provides weekly classes on scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Prakarana Granthas to gain insights that are practical and applicable for everyday living. To learn more about CMA you may visit http://www.chinmaya-atlanta.com and contact Madhav Durbha at mdurbha@yahoo.com for community service projects undertaken by CMA.