Press Release
HOUSTON, TEXAS, September 20, 2005: The age-old Hindu tradition of serving food to fellow human beings was more significant this past weekend when the Hindus of Greater Houston, which more often organizes Hindu festival celebrations, took on the mammoth task of feeding Hurricane Katrina’s survivors at the George R. Brown Convention Center and at other relief centers all over the city. Hundreds of volunteers from Hindu organizations donned yellow t-shirts identifying them as volunteers and worked three shifts tirelessly Saturday from 4.00 a.m. until lights out. They included volunteers from the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) whose volunteers took care of the early morning shift starting at 4 a.m. and Sewa International (Sewa) which coordinated the volunteers for all three shifts. Hasu D. Patel and his fellow volunteers from Leva Patidar Samaj and AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Association) helped in relief effort. In addition to volunteer efforts at GRBCC on Saturday evening shift, they have provided 3,250 room nights to the evacuees through the American Red Cross.
The shift volunteers spanned an age range of 17 to 70 years. For well-known yoga instructor/practitioner Mallikarjun Shintri, 70, it was almost a feeling of deja vu, as he recalled volunteering years ago when Hurricane Camille hit Mississippi in 1969. Ever jovial and energized, Shintri urged his co-volunteers to give him more to do. Some staunch vegetarians could not bring themselves to touch the hotdogs provided by Aramark. Community activist Vijay Pallod, for instance, was reassigned to the bread division. “Whomever I met, these evacuees are very positive and never lost their hopes,” commented Kirti Jain who was volunteering along side local people for the first time. Hemendra Pal, a Sewa volunteer coordinator, was also pleased that he could provide service to others. He stated, “God gave us courage to inspire more than 500 people who came forward as volunteers to bring a change in life of these people. After two weeks it is heartening and relieving to see that almost all evacuees have been placed in some apartment or homes. My parent’s values have played a big role here as they have always inspired to contribute to the community.”
It was quite a different scene from the bustle and chaos of the earliest days of Katrina. A calm of sorts had descended and survivors had a sense of purpose, many picking up the threads and attempting to find a semblance of normalcy. A dwindling number remained at the convention center. However, many more coming in later in the evening after a day spent in search of apartments and/or jobs.