The Annual fundraising dinner for Chimaya Maruthi held on Sunday Nov 12, 2006 at the Wyndham Hotel, in Andover, MA helped raise over $375,000 dollars. Over fifteen new life members contributed $10,000 each. Their donations were matched by leading members of the Indian American community in New England including Desh Deshpande, Dr. Dwarknath , Dilip Mathur and others.

Swami Shantananda was the guest of honor for the evening. He reinforced the value of connecting with our roots.  He urged the audience to remember the statement by Lord Macaulay  -I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such caliber, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation – as a reminder of the value of cultural and spiritual heritage of India.  He was in praise of the children in America who are growing up with training provided in places like the Chinmaya Maruti. “They are ABCDs – American Born Confident (not Confused) Desis” said Santhanand ji.  In his speech which was laced wit and wisdom, Swamiji asked the congregation to donate generously for a good cause.

Why become a life member? Many new enrollees came up to the podium to share their thoughts. Most of the new members felt the services of the organization had had a positive influence on their family, especially their children.  People extolled the quality of care and education provided by Bal Vihar teachers. Many felt the study groups led by Bhramachari Bhamatiji, Dilip Mathur and others were giving them new insights into spirituality.  “I used to sleep late, watch TV and do nothing useful on the weekend. My wife encouraged me to attend  Satsang and it has changed my life completely” said a new life member. Yet another person became a life member at the request of their daughter, who asked that as a gift for her eighteenth birthday which she celebrated with her Chinmaya family.

The event featured wonderful cultural events by the children attending Bal Vihar.A interesting video highlighting the services of Chinmaya Maruti was as entertaining as it was informative.

Bharat Dwaraknath, son of Dr. Dwarknath was the Master of cermonies for the event. It was touching to see a major donation come from him for a cause that is central to his parents’ life. "Bal Vihar helped us with the upbringing of our son Bharat", said Dwraknath. The donation from his son  was a fitting tribute to Bal Vihar that has inculcated in its graduate a  respect for their Indian spiritual and cultural heritage.

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