2006 was a productive year for Project GANESH, as a number of projects were successfully implemented and concluded. Project GANESH sponsored the construction of a school lunch hall/bicycle shed in Godicherla, Andhra Pradesh. The hall was inaugurated by Mr. Paul Throne on 18 September, 2006, amidst great revelry by the local villagers. This project was coordinated with Big Help for Education, who provided full logistical support in Godicherla. The shed will cater to the 650 students (300+ girls, 350 boys) at the school, and provide shelter from the scorching summer sun. Further details can be found at: Godicherla

Additionally, both co-founders of Project GANESH, Paul Throne and Richard Stocker, held an inaugural meeting of the Project GANESH directors in the sacred setting of Tirupati, south India. After securing Sri Venkateshwar’s blessings, the two directors visited a number of Project GANESH sponsored initiatives in the greater Chennai area. The directors were pleased to discover that great progress had been made working in conjunction with the Kanchi Health and Education Society (KHES), under the able leadership of Sri B. Rajesh. A site visit was made to Kovalam, Tamil Nadu, to visit the first PG sponsored project, an installation of a Vidya Vinayaka murthi in a tranquil roadside setting. Vidya Vinayaka offers His blessings to the passing school children, as well as to all those seeking higher knowledge.

A visit was also made to the first Ganesh temple sponsored by Project GANESH, in the small village of Pudupukkam just north of Pondicherry. This shrine is part of a larger temple complex that remains under construction that will eventually house a Shiva lingam, as well as a Subramanium shrine, and possibly a Navagraha sannidhi. The Ganesh murthi has resided for some time now, along with the Shiva lingam, in a makeshift wooden structure. Project GANESH is pleased that the deities will soon be housed in appropriate temples, and we look forward to providing details of the prana pratishta (installation) ceremonies.

Both Paul and Richard were fortunate to be able to attend a bhumi puja (ground breaking ceremony) to inaugurate the construction of a second Ganesh temple, located in Kadalur, Tamil Nadu. This Ganesh temple is adjacent to a magnificent 1,000 year old Shiva temple that is currently undergoing renovations under the auspices of the KHES. The temple houses an ancient Shiva lingam, and is situated in a setting of rural tranquility. Unfortunately, due to the ravages of time and human indifference, the temple has deteriorated significantly, and the renovation undertaking will be a significant one. We at Project GANESH were pleased to be able to offer support for the Ganesh temple, which we trust will serve to propel this worthy project forward. For more details see: Kadalur

As part of their Chennai visit, the directors of Project GANESH also committed to providing school desks and benches to a needy school. Sri Rajesh, KHES, is following up on the requirements, and is seeking to engage local carpenters and workers in the project to ensure that the local economy benefits from this undertaking. Stay tuned for further details.

Project GANESH is pleased to continue its sponsorship of the Sandipani Muni School (SMS) in Vrindavan, north India. Richard Stocker was able to conduct a site visit to the school, and reports that excellent progress has been made in advancing the educational needs of Vrindavan’s poor. Vrindavan was home to many of Krishna’s earthly pastimes, and as such is a powerful spiritual magnet. Over 700 children have been benefited by the SMS, under the humble yet competent leadership of Sri Rupa Raghunath Das. Sri Rupa is an Italian citizen who holds a doctorate in sociology, and who has spent the past 17 years of his life dedicated to serving Vrindavan’s needy. For more details see: SMS

Project GANESH is pleased to have been able to make a small yet tangible difference to the lives of many in India. We are currently investigating a number of potential new projects, and look forward to sharing details of these shortly. Above all, we are grateful to the contributors to Project GANESH who, through their active support, have made the above projects feasible. Together we can continue to make the world a better place for all…