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Why was Omkar Foundation started?
Religious services (other than Hindu religious services) are available at or near most university campuses on a regular basis. There is a large and growing Hindu student population in many universities and colleges across the United States that do not have the facility to practice their religion.
Our young men and women are in need of spiritual support and religious solace during their young adult years. Religion should be an important part of their life as they pass through their most critical years and establish their identities. At present, Hindu students are the only major religious group in colleges and universities that do not have the benefit of religious services on or near campuses.
With this in mind, OMKAR FOUNDATION was started in 2001 to serve the spiritual needs of thousands of Hindu students at universities and colleges. The mission and purpose of OMkar is to provide an opportunity for college going students to attend Hindu prayer/pooja on a regular basis.
What does Omkar intend to do?
Omkar's goal is to organize Hindu religious services at least once weekly, on a Saturday or Sunday morning, for about an hour, on or near college campuses so that Hindu students who attend these institutions can practice their religion while attending school. This is not a discussion group or lecture session, but rather a simple pooja, prayer and meditation program for everyone to attend, just like going to a mandir.
Many colleges and universities have Hindu student organizations. Omkar volunteers from local Hindu community will coordinate with the student organizations and conduct pooja/prayer services.
Present Status
Omkar has now started the Hindu services regularly at Rutgers, Upenn, Drexel and Georgetown. At least four more universities have expressed their interest in starting Omkar pooja/prayer/meditation. However, this is possible only with the help from the Hindu community.
An Appeal
If you know any students at any universities, please spread the word and let them know about this program. Our experience from talking to a number of students at various universities show that many students are extremely interested in having such place of worship in their colleges. However, they do not know how to approach in the Hindu community. Omkar wants to fill this critical void and provide them with the much needed spiritual support.
Although we are conducting this program mainly for the benefit of students, all are welcome to these religious services, including faculty, staff and community people.
Omkar is in its budding stage. In order to achieve our goals we need the help of our communities across the USA. Our goal in the future is to spread this program to as many universities as possible. Your help is essential for the success of this important mission. Any amount of time, resources and financial donation you can make will be the foundation of a worthy cause.
Please respond and help in any way that you feel comfortable. But, Please respond. We owe this to our future generations in this country.
For more information, please email me at ukjois@aol.com.
om tat sat
Umesh K. Jois
609-799-9272/609-799-9343
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What will Omkar do?
Omkar will:
- Train volunteers to setup the pooja place and conduct pooja, prayer and meditation
- Provide a pooja kit which will include all items necessary for pooja
- Provide handbooks and recordings of pooja and prayer (on cassette tapes or CDs) for your use during the pooja (if you feel the need).
How can I help?
If you live near colleges and universities and are willing to learn simple pooja, prayer and meditation, you can become a volunteer.
- Coordinator: The coordinator will liaison with Omkar's headquarters, be responsible for making local arrangements, identify pooja volunteers and conduct the pooja/prayer services.
- Pooja Volunteer: Pooja Volunteers will work with the local Omkar Coordinator and share weekly pooja responsibility on a rotation basis with the coordinator and other pooja volunteers.
- Executive Committee Member: You can become a volunteers to serve on the Omkar Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. Trustees will meet to deliberate and make policy decisions and Executive Committee Members will implement the policies and be responsible for the functioning of Omkar Foundation. Positions available are President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Manager, Public Relations Representative, and Regional Representatives.
- Donations: If you believe in the cause of Omkar Foundation we need generous donations form individual and organizations to provide training material for volunteers, hall rental and provide for pooja items. Please take a moment to fill out the pledge form let us know how you can help.
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