Vannakkam:
I'd like to share about a project I once took part in. We noticed one day that our local large secular hospital had a chapel, as most hospitals do. Inside there were various corners or places to represent the various faiths. There was a Koran, a Bible, a Torah, a cross, a Buddha, etc. If I remember right, there were symbols from Taoism and native spirituality as well. The hospital was doing its bit to have something for all. It was a an open place where patients or praying relatives could go for solace or just quiet in the midst of a hustle-bustle place for the diseased and ill.
Not surprisingly, Hinduism was noticeably absent. So we decided to do something about it. Three of us formed an ad hoc committee and approached the hospital's chaplain and religious co-ordinator, a liberal Christian. He had quite the job description, catering to the religious needs of so many, and disciplining the aggressive Christians for hanging around like bad smells when they weren't wanted at dieing peoples' bedsides. After a bit more work, we managed to have a metal Sanskrit OM hung on the wall, as well as a copy of the Gita provided as a choice for reading.
I'm sharing this here in hopes that the idea might spread. The next time you're in a hospital and have a few minutes, pop by the chapel, and see what's inside. Maybe you can do what we did as well in service to our brother Hindus.
Aum Namasivaya
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