Namaskaaram! It is nice to be back after quite some time, with an update of the KHNA activities. Hope you have been keeping up with KHNA through our web site. If you need a compact flyer on KHNA for yourself or to give your friends, please click here! The work at the current KHNA headquarters, Washington DC, have been quite hectic over the last few months, as several committees have been formed and have started work on the many KHNA activities, starting with the Planning committee that was formed first, with most of the KHNA directors from around the country along with a large group of leaders and volunteers from the Capital region. Below are some items we would like to let you know about

"Subhaarambham", Washington, DC: The handing-over function of KHNA was on November 7th, 2009 when the charge was passed from the previous director and trustee boards to the new boards elected at the Los Angeles convention last year. Former President Dr. Ramadas Pillai and Secretary Vinodh Bahuleyan officially handed over the work to the able hands of President Sri. M. G. Menon of Washington DC, and Secretary Suda Kartha of Philadelphia at the function. The day-long function saw several cultural programs, as well as participation from a majority of the new and old directors and trustees. The new trustee board election was conducted with Sri Raju Nanoo, New York, NY being elected the new Chairman and Prof. R. Jayakrishnan, Irvine, CA as the Vice chairman of the new trustee board. A surprise guest and speaker at the function was the famous Malayalam film actor, Sri. Suresh Gopi who also joined the large gathering to enjoy the fabulous dance and music items of the evening.

Fundraising: KHNA Kerala Scholarships Program Needs Urgent Support! KHNA continues the very successful and much-appreciated KHNA Kerala scholarship program for higher studies this year. The announcement on the scholarship program was made in the Kerala newspapers in December. By the deadline earlier this year, we had received several hundred applications. KHNA thanks the past sponsors of scholarships (most of whom have told us their willingness to continue the support) and invite all of you to come forward to support this most worthwhile cause. The recommended support from you for one student per year is $250, but any support is most welcome. Please see the KHNA scholarship site for information on the program and names of the deserving poor students supported in the past. We will be glad to forward you the list of applicants, if you would like to select a top candidate from near your place in Kerala! Please contact the chair or any of the members of the KHNA scholarship committee - Haridasan Pillai, Chair, Dallas/TX (972-226-6292), Raju Nanoo, New York (718-740-7226), R. Jayakrishnan, Los Angeles/CA (949-856-3225) Somarajan Nair, Houston/TX (713-340-1430), Govindan Kutty Nair, Bakersfield/CA (661-664-1033), Radha Krishnan, Detroit/MI (248-682-2106), Sadasivan Sukumaran, Philadelphia/PA (610-789-1557), Anil Kumar Pillai, Chicago/IL (847-674-7694), Sivan Pillai, Philadelphia (610-352-0550), Gopi Kunnth, New York/NY (516-623-7783), or our Advisor, Presannan Pillai, Chicago/IL (630-935-2990).

Grand Bhagavatha Sapthaham, Washington, DC (July 10-17, 2010)

KHNA is pleased to announce our next Sapthaham Yagnam based on Ezhutthacchan's Bhagavatham in Kilippattu, for seven spiritually fulfilling days from July 10th to July 17th, 2010 at the SivaVishnu Tample in Washington DC (6905 Cipriano Road Lanham, MD 20706). There will be Parayanam with explanation in English and discourses by eminent Acharyas. This is the second such sapthaham by KHNA, the previous being in Los Angles in 2008. The Mahapurana Yajnam will be conducted by Yajna Acharya Sri Mannady Hari from Thiruvananthapuram. There will be many special poojas conducted as per the wishes of the KHNA community around the continent. Please await further information from us!

• Pursuant to the call for facilitating education in Hindu philosophy among the Hindus in North America, the Washington region has instituted a group called Sanathana Dharma Samithi (SDS), whose members get together periodically to discuss subjects of practical application in life from a philosophical stand point. The topics so far discussed are Concept of God, Ego, Sathyameva Jayathe, Vakkum Pravrthiyum (What we say and what we do) and Symbolism in Hinduism. “We want to establish a forum where one is recognized by one’s knowledge and character and not by one’s past or caste or wealth”, said Sri. M.G.Menon , the KHNA President while explaining the advantages of philosophy discussion group. He hopes leaders of the Regional committees in various KHNA regions will establish such philosophy discussion groups all over the country. For more details, please contact Dr. Raghu Nath (571-216-1144), Dr. Krishnan Namboodiri (707-489-9472), Dr. Muraleerajan (703-459-5479), Ratheesh Nair (703-624-1393)
  



• A Bhajan Group with participation of Hindus belonging to various traditions and and beliefs has been formed in the Metropolitan Washington area. “When people of different backgrounds assemble in an environment filled with devotion and music, which transcend all artificial barriers and limitations, a broad outlook of life and the feeling of oneness prevails which breeds unity”, said Sri M.G.Menon while inaugurating the first session on December 13, 2009. The second session was held on January23, 2010 at the residence of Suresh Raj and was attended by over 40 participants. The third Group Bhajan is scheduled on March 6, 2010 at the residence of Manoj Sreenilayam at Rockville, Maryland. For further details contact Bhajan coordinater Jiju Unnikrishnan (703-855-0300)