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of better opportunities and an improved quality of life for my family. I always believed
that Lord Shiva’s grace was with me, giving me the courage and inspiration in whatever
I undertook in life. I enjoyed the association and support of many life-long friends who
were similarly getting settled in the U.S. I struggled for the first few years in America,
but eventually I found a good job with EXXON which enabled me to support my parents
and family of 8 brothers and sisters back home. I experienced the loss of my father and
the happiness of the birth of my second daughter, Veena. Later, I joined IBM and worked
there for 27 years until I retired in 2006. About 26 years ago, I expanded the small Shiva
temple in my village to include Gauri and Ganesha. Ever since the Shiva temple was
enhanced and revitalized, the lives of the people in my village have improved.

Now at the age of 77, in the absence of my parents, I feel that Lord Shiva and Mother
Gauri are my eternal parents who guide me through life. In addition to supporting the
temple, I want to give back to the place where I was born. As a token of my gratitude

to my mother country, in 2017 I started a scholarship program in the Government First
Grade College in Periyapatna. A total of 20 scholarships are given annually to qualified
1 and 2 year students who meet certain criteria, including passing their exams and
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entering their next year of college. The qualification criteria include poverty level, merit
and personal character, regardless of caste and gender. Special consideration is given for
those with disabilities. The amount of each scholarship is decided based on the annual
tuition fee.

In order to provide annual funding for the scholarship, a local Trust was established in
the name of the Gauri Shankara temple as, ‘Sri Gauri Shankara Dharmika and Charitable
Trust.’ The intent of the trust is three-fold: 1) Provide educational scholarships for college
students, 2) Support Sri Gauri Shankara Temple services to provide a place of worship for
the general public, and 3) Provide humanitarian support for those critically in need in
the community. A committee of 7 members actively oversees the activities of the Trust

and I continue to support and monitor its work during my regular visits to India.
I currently reside in Richmond, Virginia with my loving wife Shantha who has supported
me in all my endeavors. I have two daughters - Geetha Ravindra, a lawyer and Veena
Gowda, an accountant and four grandchildren- Lakshmi, Krishna, Jethin and Shiva. I am

engaged as a Corporate Body member of the Hindu Center of Virginia and regularly
volunteer at the temple. I am involved with the Chinmaya Center Gita Study Group and
Sai Bhajan Group. I am grateful to God for guiding me throughout my life to accomplish
my goals and enabling me to serve my community and mother country. I firmly believe
selfless service purifies our heart and mind and brings peace and happiness in life.

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