Message
from the President, APSA
Namaste!
On
behalf of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha North America (APSA), it is my pleasure and
honor to welcome you to the 21st Arya Maha Sammelan in Atlanta, GA. This year the Maha Sammelan theme “Value of
Vedic Teachings in Modern Times” is at the core of carrying forward the message
of our Vedic heritage in today’s world.
To accomplish that, we are bringing to you an exclusive program of
discourses, workshops and close interactions with scholars from all over North
America and India.
During
the past year, the Executive Committee of APSA made a special effort to visit
Arya Samajs in the Tri-State and Greater Toronto areas with the objective of
connecting and bringing about unity among these Samajs and APSA. During these visits, most of the issues and
concerns voiced were common. These issues
are being addressed by the appropriate APSA Working Teams. These visits were very productive and we plan
to continue such visits to the other regions of North America during the
upcoming year.
APSA
had formed twelve Working Teams to focus on specific issues. We have arranged a special session for these
teams to come together in Atlanta on Thursday, July the 28th to
discuss and create road maps for achieving their laid out objectives. I would very much encourage your
participation in any of the teams so that you can provide constructive input.
APSA has been and will continue to
support the two Jeevan
Prabhat projects in India. Whereas Jeevan Prabhat Gandhidham is
a project sponsored and supported by Arya Samaj Gandhidham, Jeevan Prabhat
Pondicherry (JPP) is completely funded and maintained by APSA. This year, we had several visitors to these
institutions including some youth, whose memorable experiences will be shared
with you at the conference.
I
would like to express my sincere thanks to the Greater Atlanta Vedic Temple,
its Executive Committee and Board of Trustees for hosting this year’s Maha
Sammelan. The tremendous amount of
effort put into planning by the Arya Maha Sammelan Committee lead by its
co-chairs Shri Vishrut Arya and Shri Vijay Bhalla is truly commendable. In addition, several local and national
committees have been working very hard to make this Sammelan a memorable
experience for all its attendees – youth and adults alike. You are definitely going to enjoy the
hospitality of the Atlanta Aryan community and the variety of programs that
will be offered.
My
earnest hope is that we will have a strong and active participation of youth in
this conference as a fun-filled and educational program is being designed by
the youth themselves. I thank Arnav
Gupta and Anup Chandora along with the other Youth Committee members for their
efforts in putting together an excellent youth program.
I
am certain that the youth and adults will enjoy interactions among themselves
as well as with scholars from all corners of North America and India at this
Maha Sammelan. I thank you for your
continued support & contributions and am looking forward to seeing you all
in Atlanta.
With
best regards,
Vidya Bhushan
Verma
Vidya Bhushan Verma
President
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha North
America