Community Shows Solidarity in Prayers for Dead Houston Fire Fighters

The leaders of the different Indo American organizations with the Indian Consul General P. Harish (center in suit) next to Sugar Land Fire Chief Juan Adame (in black uniform).         Photos: Jawahar Malhotra

The leaders of the different Indo American organizations with the Indian Consul General P. Harish (center in suit) next to Sugar Land Fire Chief Juan Adame (in black uniform). Photos: Jawahar Malhotra

By Jawahar Malhotra

HOUSTON:  Overcome by a profound sense of grief and obligation by the heroic sacrifice of four Houston fire fighters in battling the flames that engulfed the Southwest Motel and attached Bhojan restaurant (see story on page 6) on the Southwest Freeway this past Friday, the Indian community came together to offer their prayers for their departed souls in a event that showed their solidarity at India House on Tuesday evening, June 4.

The other religious priests who came to offer their prayers, from left, Dr. Tahir Hussain of the Muslim faith; Saminiji Perimal Pragya and Vikas Pragya of the Jain faith; Pt. Dr. Surya Narayan Nanda of the Arya Samaj of Greater Houston; Pradeep Pandya, Pandit of the Shiv Shakti Mandir and Bhai Charanjit Singh and Bhai Paras Singh of the Sikh faith.

The other religious priests who came to offer their prayers, from left, Dr. Tahir Hussain of the Muslim faith; Saminiji Perimal Pragya and Vikas Pragya of the Jain faith; Pt. Dr. Surya Narayan Nanda of the Arya Samaj of Greater Houston; Pradeep Pandya, Pandit of the Shiv Shakti Mandir and Bhai Charanjit Singh and Bhai Paras Singh of the Sikh faith.

Prayer meetings at moments of great distress have long been a hallmark of the India Culture Center, which, together with the India House organized this event which included the participation of the majority of the Indo-American religious and cultural organizations in the Greater Houston area. This was hurriedly put together and the 250 people who came to the event speak of the power and organization of the community to harness their members in times of great need. Their objective was to raise $50,000 to pass along to the families of the fire fighters who were killed in action, and India House President Jugal Malani declared that goal when he spoke at the end of the program.

Kashmira Naik singing an opening bhajan.

Kashmira Naik singing an opening bhajan.

The Presidents or other designated representatives of each one of these organizations were present to say a few words of remembrance to express their sorrow and pray for the souls of the fallen fire fighters Capt. Matthew Renaud, 35; Engineer Operator Robert Bebee, 41; Firefighter Robert Garner, 29 and Anne Sullivan, 24, a probationary firefighter. Each took their turn say a few words, often referring to the firefighters by name and echoing sentiments of the heroic nature of their deeds.

The program started an introduction by Hasu Patel, who heads the Small Motel Owners Association which has pledged to give 500 free room nights to the fire fighters who were to attend the memorial service in Reliant Stadium the next day.

Hoshang Sethna represented the Zorastrian faith.

Hoshang Sethna represented the Zorastrian faith.

It opened with a bhajan by Kashmira Naik, followed by a moment of silence and prayers and quotes from their respective religious scriptures by Pt. Dr. Surya Narayan Nanda of the Arya Samaj of Greater Houston; Rev. Roy Thomas of the Mar Thoma Church; Dr. Tahir Hussain of the Muslim faith; Saminiji Perimal Pragya and Vikas Pragya of the Jain faith; Hoshang Sethna representing the Zorastrian faith; Bhai Paras Singh of the Sikh faith (accompanied by Bhai Charanjit Singh) and Pandit Pradeep Pandya of the Shiv Shakti Mandir.

Also speaking were the Indian Consul General Parvathaneni Harish who suggested that the ICC and others use this episode to teach the community about safety in homes and the workplace. He was followed by Sugar Land Fire Chief Juan Adame who said that Ann Sullivan was from Sugar Land and had trained there before joining HFD. “We fire fighters pledge to put ourselves between danger and the citizens we protect,” he said, explaining how his father and son are also fire fighters. Stafford Councilman Ken Mathews said “the ultimate sacrifice is your own life” and that Ann Sullivan was a member of the Stafford Fire Department till January. Danny Ngyuen, Missouri City Councilman, expressed his sadness. Houston Mayor Annise Parker sent a message.

Re. Roy Thomas of the Mar Thoma Church.

Re. Roy Thomas of the Mar Thoma Church.

The ICC President Prakash V. Patel, better known as PV, said his organization will raise money for the families of the fire fighters. “We sleep peacefully because of them,” he said and then read a poignant poem by a 6-year-old son of a dead firefighter. Nisha Mirani of the Gujarati Samaj and Sharad Amin of the Hindus of Greater Houston spoke of their sorrow. “Serving a human being is to serve God,” noted Amin