By Cynthia Koons
“As we say in Hinduism, God has given us the privilege to help someone,” she said.It was a meeting in her house of worship's community center, on Holly Avenue in Flushing, last Thursday, designed to bring community members and elected officials to a place where they could inspire others to donate to the tsunami relief fund.She was the last to speak in a long line of distinguished guests that included U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens), who flew in from Washington, D.C. for the meeting, Borough President Helen Marshall and Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing).The tsunami destroyed Sri Lanka, a country where many of the Hindu Temple Society of America devotees have family, on Dec. 26. It was sparked by an earthquake that registered 9.0 on the Richter scale – the fourth-largest in the last century – that sent deadly waves through south India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Maldives and Somalia, killing more than 150,000 and displacing hundreds of thousands of others.About 40 people gathered in the Flushing community center last Thursday, both members of the temple and residents from the surrounding neighborhood, to listen, brainstorm and pray.”There are moments in our human existence that define the things that bring us together,” Weiner said. “Hopefully, what we do here today is remind ourselves again and again that we have things inextricably in common.”He reminded the crowd of the commonalities between those who live in the battered region and those who live in Queens.”We are a worldwide crossroads for cultures,” he said.His words came moments after colorfully robed Hindu priests chanted prayers for worldwide peace.Marshall addressed the crowd, expressing her sympathy for those who have lost loved ones.”Whenever in the world there is a catastrophe, there's a grieving relative in Queens,” she said. “To all those who are gathered here today, our hearts are heavy.”Liu followed her at the podium, and bowed and honored the crowd with a “namaste” – the traditional Hindu gesture of greeting and homage – before speaking.”In this spiritual center, I can think of no better place to ponder the death and destruction in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, South Asia,” he said. “For every action there is a reaction.”He – like all elected officials – urged visitors to help in any way possible.”We can make a wave of the human spirit,” he said. “As catastrophic as this tsunami has been, it has set off another tsunami, a wave – gigantic and spontaneous – the greatest and quickest humanitarian aid effort.”All those who spoke asked the public to remember that rebuilding would take more than just sending immediate assistance.Those interested in contributing can send checks to the Hindu Temple Society of North America, located at 45-57 Bowne St., Flushing, NY 11355. Mysorekar said the temple had collected $50,000 as of last Friday.Flushing Hospital Medical Center is also offering a mental health clinic for those in need of psychiatric services to deal with their grief. That is located at 146-01 45th Ave., Suite 310, in Flushing from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Indo-American psychiatric services are available at the same location. Those programs can be contacted by phone at 718-670-5562 or 718-670-8936.Reach reporter Cynthia Koons by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call (718) 229-0300, Ext. 141.
