APRIL 2016
ಚೆನ್ನುಡಿ
ISSUE 4
Page : 1
VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016 Hosted by Maryland Chapter
INVITATION FROM CENTRAL VSNA PRESIDENT Dear VSNA Members,
HIGHLIGHTS Channu Kambalyal
Invitation from cVSNA President Editorial Registration Details Decoration Committee
On behalf of Central VSNA, it is indeed an honor and a privilege to invite you all to the 39th VSNA Convention hosted by the Maryland Chapter.
I am delighted to see the progress made by the 2016 Convention Committee, led by Convention Chair G. Jagadeesh & Co-Chair Shashidhar Nagenalli and Savitha Shivananda, President, MD Chapter. The monthly convention newsletter “ಚೆನ್ನುಡಿ” initiated by the committee demonstrates the eagerness and preparedness to welcome you all to the convention.
Entertainment Committee
The Maryland chapter deserves a special admiration for the great start they made by showcasing the event at the 2015 convention. The team has chosen a down-to-earth theme “ತನ್ನ ಮನ್ ಭಾವ
Anubhava Goshti
ಶನದ್ಧಿಯ - ನ್ಡೆ ನ್ನಡಿಯಲಿ ಕಾಣಾ” (Experience the immac-
Jnana Yogi Dr. Jaamdar Memoir Invitation to Souvenir Article Sharana Philosophy Photo Gallery
ulate body, mind, thoughts through deeds and words), which truly reflects the universality and simplicity portrayed in numerous Vachanas of Veerashaivism. As we invite you to the 2016 VSNA Annual convention, I would like to stress the main purpose of the convention and the benefits of your participation. As you know the core mission of VSNA has been to Preserve, Protect and Propagate the Universal Philosophy of Basaveshwara and his contemporaries in North America. The convention is the most important event when we all get together on a larger scale every year to better understand this philosophy not only for us as individuals, but also to let our children increase their awareness of the universal values that we are fortunate to have inherited.
the day of independence of the United States of America, representing its struggle for democratic values and equality among its people. This is exactly what Basaveshwara and numerous sharaNas struggled for the humanity in the 12th century, much before such thoughts evolved in the western world. The ideals reflected in the Vachanas not only cover the social aspects, but also the individual and interpersonal level conduct, that we should follow to achieve the enlightenment - desire to see God by awakening the consciousness within us. The richness of Veerashaiva philosophy is so vast and yet so simple, that we often take it for granted, and continue to look elsewhere for guidance from various sources. It is through such annual conventions that we get together in person with a focus to learn from the spiritual leaders of Veerashaivism. There is an additional aspect that you will benefit from the convention that is in your professional growth as well! On a routine basis, we are all engrossed in our professional careers trying hard for promotions to increase our net worth. In this endeavor, we fail to understand few basics that enables us to achieve the very same. Many management universities and institutes provide leadership courses and training that enhance our careers, with courses such as Emotional Intelligence. Basava’s well-known vachanas describe the same concepts of self-control, self-awareness, relationship building and the social awareness. And the theme selected by the convention committee very appropriately fits these concepts. I am sure, with your presence at the convention, you will surely gain much more that enable you to do well in all walks of life, and benefits not only yourself but also your future generations. So, welcome to the 39th VSNA Convention at Ellicott City, Maryland, on July 4th weekend!
It is interesting to note that for many years, the VSNA convention is held on the July 4th weekend,
Channu Kambalyal President, Central VSNA
Invited Dignitaries & Keynote Speakers We are happy to announce the acceptances from following dignitaries: Parama Poojya Shri Siddeshwara Swamji of Jnana Yogashrama, Vijayapura, His Holiness Jagadguru Shri Shivarathri Desikendara Mahaswamiji of Suttur Mutt, Mysore, and His Holiness Shri Siddalinga Swamiji of Siddaganga Gurukula, Tumkur, have agreed to deliver benedictions (ಆಶೀರ್ವಚನ). Shri Babasaheb Kalyani (Chairman and MD, Bharat Forge Ltd., Pune) and Dr. Shivananda Jaamdar, IAS (Former Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Karnataka) have graciously agreed to attend the convention and deliver keynote address.