Houstonians Felicitate Durgabari Head Priest Dr. Bishnupada Goswami

RICHMOND: On June 22, evening, more than 500 Houstonians gathered at Safari Texas Ranch at 11627 FM 1464 in Richmond, Texas to commemorate Houston Durgabari Society’s Head Priest Dr. Bishnupada Goswami.

According to the sources, Dr. Goswami has received three outstanding awards from Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage Kolkata. These awards are Mahamahopadhyay, Doctor of Literature in Karmakand, and Meghnath Saha.

Drawing versatile genius scholars and with many dignitaries like the Governors and union Ministers, Supreme Court Judges, Vice-Chancellors, and famous personalities, Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage holds Annual International Conference annually.

The prestigious awards were given to Goswamiji on March 7, 2014 in Delhi at 37th annual felicitation of the institute by emissary of President of India in the presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati ji.

Subsequent to this event, Houston Durgabari Society honored Dr. Goswami at a function in the society in Houston.

Known also as Purohit Moshay, Dr. Bishnupada Goswami was born to father Pandit Hrishikesh Goswami and mother Kamala Devi in rajahati, in West Bengal state in India. He grew up amid Vedic chanting. Highly acclaimed Mr. Goswami had been instrumental in social and religious service in Kalibari, Delhi and since the year 2003, is serving the indo-American community in Houston.

In a beautifully choreographed entry scene at 6 PM, June 22 at Safari Texas Ranch ballroom, Dr. Goswami was accompanied by his wife Aparna Goswami. Walking on red carpet, Goswami couple was greeted with standing ovation while young girls’ showering flower petals.

This high profile event was also attended by the Consul General of India, P. Harish, as chief guest along with Pete Olson, the US Congressman, Dr. Bhaskar Roy, Chairman, Council of Trustee, HDBS, Ed Thompson, State Representative, Tom Reid, Mayor Pearland, Michael Gibson, Chairman Fort Bend County, Tina Gibson, Member State Senate, Himesh Gandhi, the councilman, city of Sugarland, and head priests of Arya Samaj of Houston, Goudiya Math, and Hindu Temple of Woodlands.

Lauding Dr. Goswami’s contribution to the society, Speakers stressed for young children to take inspiration from head priest’s life and appreciated the service and knowledge of the priest.

Gauranga Mookerjee welcomed the guests and coordinated the speeches while Mridula and Vinay Karna lead the presentation of Dr. Goswami’s life event. The sequence of life events were beautifully mingled with Indian cultural programs amid slokas chanted by Priest of Hindu temple of Woodlands.

Pandit Shanti Lal Shah along with his son Anurag and nephew Jason, performed Tabla jugalbandi which mesmerized the audience. Rajnita Bandyopadhyay, a professional Bengali singer, was the star performer of the event.

Young dancers. Shikha, Isha, Veda and Sarmishtha of Anjali Center of Performing Arts performed Bharatnatyam dance, Swati of (IICPD performed Odissi dance and Ishita, Dhara, Shilpita, and Deepsikha of kalaangan performed Odissi dance.

Harish and Olson along with other dignitaries released the book “Marriage Knot” in English, written by Dr. Goswami in English and bengali.

Sailaja and Jayanta Bandyopadhyay had created a booklet of collection of good wishes and ran a slide show of Goswamiji’s full life events.

Gauranga Mookerjee says, “we have celebrated similar events many times but organizing this event for our loved priest has given us most happiness and satisfaction.” Dr. Gouri and Amrit Achari, senior members of the society who Dr. Goswami treats as parent-figures, were very delighted to see the priest honored for his achievements.

Mridula Karna, a member of the felicitation team, congratulates and thanks many volunteers, sponsors, and hosts who contributed to the success of the event.