Day: 28 December 2012

Palatine, IL: Sikh Religious Society (SRS) of Palatine Illinois held a Neighborhood Community Interfaith Candle Light Vigil and prayers on December 19, to honor the 20 first grade children and 6 adults killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut on December 14 2012. The vigil was arranged to share the grief and in conjunction with funerals of the child victims that had begun to take place in Newtown CT that week. The terrible tragedy took place when a 20 year old Adam Lanza forced his way into the elementary school with his assault weapons and started shooting to kill children and teachers. Heroic teachers like Victoria Soto, 27, gave her life to save the lives of her class whom she hid in the closets and bath room. The school principal and psychologist jumped on the gunman to stop him and sacrificed their own lives. More than a hundred community members and neighbors assembled in the Palatine Gurdwara compound, chanted prayers, and lit candles in memory of the deceased. A special prayer “Ardaas” was supplicated by Bhai Gurjant Singh to pray for the departed souls and their families, and to seek peace, harmony, and love in this world which […]

Chino Hills LA: Calling it a tribute to the community, Assemblyman Curt Hagman along with Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami (Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami) – one of the most senior Swami of BAPS, State Senator Bob Huff, Mayor Peter Rogers, Councilmember Art Bennett and Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, the head of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery and publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, inaugurated the majestic traditional stone and marble BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills (Los Angeles), California on December 23, 2012. After six years of unflinching dedication and thousands of hours of volunteer work, the Mandir stood glistening under the sun as the much anticipated inauguration ceremony started on the morning of December 23rd. Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami (Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami) performed the consecration ceremony in accordance with Hindu vedic rituals to infuse divinity into the sacred images inside the Mandir in the presence of devotees and well-wishers from across North America and various countries around the world. Those who could not make it to the event saw the live webcast. Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Rogers said “The Mandir is a beautiful testament to the hard work of your congregation who has spent several years to build this place of worship.” He […]

The holiday season, the time of year for giving has always been held dear by Medstar Laboratory, Inc. Even in these tough economic times, when smaller companies are struggling to survive, Medstar looks to partner up with different communities in which they do business and try to shine a light on the holiday of some of the families who reside in them. Medstar Laboratory believes in giving back to the community. Each year they pick a variety of Non Profit Organizations and staff members of Medstar including Owner Naren Patel and Vice-Presidents Neal and Raj Patel attend these events every year. Medstar Laboratory’s CEO, Mr. Naren Patel said that he loves to see the sparkle in children’s eyes and excitement when they receive a gift with their name on it. This year Medstar Laboratory partnered with Father Pflager and St. Sabina Church in Englewood, Mayor Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero and Dr. Aliaga in the Little Village neighborhood. St. Sabina Church and Father Pflager, who is known for helping reduce the violence in the Englewood neighborhood, have an annual Christmas dinner in which they celebrate with the youth, those they help stay off the streets, and their families. […]