(Meaning - I do not ask for Kingdom, heaven or moksha but desire to reduce suffering of human beings).

  The above two sayings have been my guiding factors in starting Om Shakti, Inc. My saintly parents laid down the seed for developing helping attitude. My mother, Late Smt. Padmavathy Prabhu used to take lunch to an old couple walking half a mile. My father, Late Sri. Govinda Prabhu used to encourage all children in our neighborhood to go to school and improve their status in life; many students had followed his advice.

  With the consent of my dear wife, Late Smt. Sulochana Prabhu and my children, I started giving out scholarships to a small number of students in 1991. In 1992 Om Shakti, Inc. was registered in New Jersey, U.S.A. Some of the objectives of this organization are:

1)  To assist the economically disadvantaged Rajapur/Balawalikar Saraswath Brahmanas of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district:
    a)  Students to pursue their education,
    b)  Widows in vocational training and start self-help projects,
    c)  Sick and needy.
2)  To organize discourses, classes and seminars on Hindu Religion’s Philosophy, Vedanta, Meditation and Yoga.
3)  To establish library with religious books on Indian culture and heritage.
4)  To facilitate instructions in Indian music and dance.

Achievements so far:

1)  In 1992 a sum of about Rs. 13,000 was given out as scholarships.
2)  Since then, gradually increasing amounts of scholarships have been distributed each year.
3)  In 1999 Swami Chidrupananda, Arsha Vidya Kendra, Malagunda and Hubli, gave Ashirvachaniyam during the scholarship function. Sri. Manohar S. Nayak, General Manager, Canara Bank was the Chief Guest and I presided.
4)  Om Shakti with the help of local leaders arranged one week’s discourse by Swami Chidrupananda at Manipal in January, 2000. The discourse was highly appreciated. During that week, Swamiji also addressed students of Parkala High School and Bantakal School.
5)  In 2000 a sum of Rs. 1,50,000 was awarded to 246 students. Sri. P. Shankara Prabhu (V.P. of Om Shakti) presided over the function and Col. M.V. Nayak was the Chief Guest. About 600 people attended the function.
6)  In October, 2000 with the help of Rotary Club, Shirva, Om Shakti, Inc. arranged for the physical examination of women. Prof. Dr. Pratap Kumar, Head of Obstetrics & Gynecology Dept., KMC Hospital, Manipal inaugurated and the department staff conducted the examinations.
7)  Om Shakti currently has a balance of Rs. 22 lakhs. Scholarships are provided from the interest earned. Applications are to be sent to the Committee Headquarters (Udupi address, see below) 2 months prior to the scholarship distribution function which is usually held in October at Sri. Durga Parameshwari Temple, Bantakal. Students and their parents are invited. Eminent leaders give speeches and advice, followed by Puja and lunch.
8)  Yearly financial assistance to the schools and uniforms for poor students have been given to:
    a)  Govt. High School, Hanumantha Nagara, Puttur, Udupi.
    b)  Moodu Alevoor Primary School
    c)  Halasinakatte Higher Primary School, Pilar.
9)  Financial assistance to families in distress such as death, house destroyed by fire and serious medical problems.
10)  Students are given, Bhagavad-Geeta, Hindu Dharma, Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi (only to final year students) and Marga Darshi (published by Om Shakti) The students are required to memorize a few Shaanthi Patah and Bhagavad-Geeta shlokas to renew scholarship. This will help the students to develop spiritual knowledge. They are encouraged to help others after they get jobs.
11)  In 2001 a free lending library was established at Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Bantakal to spread Vedic teaching.
12)  On Sankramana day of every month Bhagavad-Geeta Pravachana followed by puja and lunch has been arranged at Sri. Durga Parameshwari Temple, Bantakal. Temple should be a place where there should be puja at proper time by well-versed Satvik Purohit. Vishnu Sahasranama, Rudram chanting, Bhajan and Religious discourse in Vedanta and Bhagavad-Geeta should also be conducted.
13)  Om Shakti has adopted three students from S.D.P. School Bantakal for their education upto B.A./B.Sc.
14)  In conjunction with The Garden State Hindu Cultural Society of N.J., Satsanga for adults in Bhagavad-Geeta Home Study Course by Swami Dayananda Saraswathi of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam along with a program of Vedic Heritage Cultural education for children is being held for the past 6 years at Jersey City. N.J.

  A local committee consisting of the following members has been doing tremendous work in connection with Om Shakti. I am grateful to them for without their help I would not have been able to achieve anything for Om Shakti.

Committee Headquarters:

Hari Darshan,
Bannanje, Udupi
Karnataka India - 576101

Members:

Sri. M.B. Nayak - Advisor
Smt. Suguna B. Nayak - President
Sri. S. Prabhakara Nayak - Vice-President
Sri. P. Ramesh Prabhu - Treasurer
Smt. Malathi K. Nayak - General Secretary
Sri. Varadaraya N. Nayak - Joint Secretary

Trustees in U.S.A.:

1) Prof. Pilar Vasudeva Prabhu - President
2) Sri. Pilar Shankara Prabhu - Vice-President
3) Sri. Jayaprakash Prabhu - Treasurer
4) Smt. Sheila D. Nayak - General Secretary
5) Smt. Shobha D. Vittal - Joint Secretary

  Before concluding, as a senior member of our community in U.S.A., I would like to suggest a few things for your reflection and positive action.

  Please remember that those of us who have been given the opportunity to be abroad as well as those in India who can afford to help, have a special responsibility and moral obligation to fulfill towards our Motherland and community. Many people have been responsible for what we are today - our parents, teachers, Gurus and above all Ishwara Krupa. Every human being has a few debts to repay - Pitru Rna, Guru Rna, Daiva Rna and can add Desha Rna.

  Christians and Muslims are obliged to pay 10% of their income to their Religious Institutions. Let us make a beginning in 2001 by donating atleast 2% of our income for charity to Religious and Educational Institutions and to people who are facing famine, earthquakes, floods, etc. If this can act as a trigger to your dormant spiritual seed or Antah Karana, I would like to submit humbly without any doer-ship (Kartritva Bhaava) that in year 2000 alone, I gave $10,000 to Om Shakti and $2,000 to Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA. In year 2001, I donated $1,500 for Gujarath earthquake relief works and will be sending $1,100 to Sri. Durga Parameshwari Temple Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee, Bantakal towards construction of a Hall and $2,000 to Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA.

  As a patriot Bharateeya, believer in our Ancestors statement “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam”, my dear Dheera Saraswath, act now not tomorrow. Wake up my Kulavi! Let it not be said that we failed by our Motherland and by Sarawaths. May I have the pleasure of hearing from you at prabhuvasudeva@hotmail.com to know whether I have been able to touch your Antah Karna and create a new culture - culture of giving? If so, your new mantra should be "Danena Bhushanam Panirnatu Kankanena" [Beauty of hands is enhanced by giving charity and not by adorning bangle (Kadaga)].

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukinaha
Sarve Santu Niramayaha
Sarve Bhadhrani Pashyanthu
Ma Kaschid Dukha Bhag Bhaveth

  [Lead me (by giving knowledge) from unreal (apparent) to the real. From darkness (of ignorance) to light (of knowledge). From death (sense of limitation) to immortality (limitlessness, liberation)].