Two major donations of $50,000 each were announced at the Second Anniversary celebrations of the Center for Indic Studies, which was attended, among others, by University Dartmouth’s Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack, Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Director, UMass Dartmouth, Donald Ramsbottom, Geeta Foundation President, Dr. Krishna Bhatta, and Swami Shree Yogi Satyam of Kriyayoga Research Institute.

One of the $50,000 donations was given anonymously while the other $50,000 was donated by the External Advisory Board of the Center led by Mr. Ishvar Patel of Dartmouth Motor Inn.

The Chancellor moved by the private support of the Center announced a $50,000 annual allocation for the Center’s operation. Dr. Bal Ram Singh, Director of the Center, was ecstatic. “These are three good news in a row. Only better days are to follow. I couldn’t be happier”, said Dr. Singh.

The Center for Indic Studies, established in 2001, was celebrating in 2nd anniversary along 134th birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, on October 4, 2003.

Recalling courage and determination of Gandhi, Prof. Singh recalled a student asking him what kind of Yoga Gandhi was practicing. Referring to a recent book ‘End of an Epoch’ by Manu Bahen Gandhi about ‘Bengali exercise’, he suggested that Mahatma was likely practicing Kriyayoga for which he got initiation in 1935 from Paramhans Yogananda as mentioned in the ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’.

Swami Yogi Satyam, who has been offering Kriyayoga classes at UMass Dartmouth for past several years, was on hand to explain basics of Kriyayoga techniques and its scientific philosophy.

According to him, Kriyayoga helps people understand that diversity is the basis of all existence. Practicing to bring perception plane closer to the spinal chord from external sensory perceptions helps realize this truth. Such realization removes any conflicts with people and nature leading to harmonious living Gandhi was able to demonstrate.

Dr. Krishna Bhatta in his presentation on Gandhi and Geeta said Geeta was Gandhi’s favorite reading since his high school days. It provided Gandhi to recognize truth as a major force when dealing with life.

Announcing the anonymous donation, Vice Chancellor Ramsbottom said that the funds will be used to establish an endowment “to support academic and scholarly study of Indic philosophy, history, traditions, and time-tested values to facilitate Indo-American cooperation for promoting enlightened living of humanity at large irrespective of geographical, political, religious, ethnic, gender, and language boundaries”.

“If someone can donate $50,000 anonymously for the cause of the Center, then I feel it is our obligation to at least match it”, said Mr. Patel of Center’s External Advisory Board.

Chancellor MacCormack said “the Center has done marvelous job at the University in teaching and promoting Indic culture and philosophy over the past two years. It deserves major support from the University”.

The celebrations were attended by people coming as far as Canada.

Vidushi Sumitra Guha, a classical vocalist, sang several favorite bhajans of Gandhi. She was accompanied by Nikhil Tikekar on Tabla and Mrs. Saraswati of Toronto on Harmonium.

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