MTS Raises Million Dollars for the Main Temple Project
MTRP fund raising, making the $ 1M mark on Sunday night, Chief guests Hon Pearland Mayor Tom Reid and Deputy Fire Chief David Baum, joined Fund raising team on stage
Photos: Saravanakumar, Milind Patel, Srini Sundararajan, Koushik Govindarajan, Bhargavi Golla.
By Chandana Golla
PEARLAND: Sri Meenakshi Temple fundraising committee set a monumental goal to be met for the Main Temple Renovation Project (M.T.R.P.). Target – One Million.
“Shantham and Subhiksham” (Peace and Prosperity) was the theme for this year’s MTS annual banquet which was held on Sunday, August 17. For the first time in MTS history the event turned out to be a donors only event with no room for any ticket sales. More than 450 families pledged a minimum of $1000 each. Dr. P. Vaduganthan, chairman of MTS welcomed the 500 guests who attended the event and gave an overview of the Main Temple renovation Project. The project will include a new sanctum for Goddess Lakshmi, prakarams for three main deities and Lakshmi, increase the overall space inside the temple, repair the roof, upgrade the infrastructure such as plumbing, electrical as well as audio, video and security.
AP Chief Minister Reddy (a.k.a A.V.N. Reddy) makes his way on to the MTS stage with his entourage.
Priest Doraiswamy Bhattar who recently retired after twenty years of service to the temple was honored during the banquet. The temple gave away a total of $10,000 in scholarships to 16 meritorious students, each attending prestigious universities. Mayor of Pearland, Tom Reid and Deputy Fire Chief, Daniel Baum were the chief guests and presented the scholarship awards.
Secretary Srikanth Venugopalan and Haripriya Sundar were the masters of ceremonies for the evening. The festive evening was steered by the enchanting Bollywood band of Kashmira Nayak who kept the convivial atmosphere going with vivacious songs including some in honor of India’s Independence Day. The banquet, for the first time ever, included a skit written and directed by the temple chairman Dr. Vaduganathan and acted by MTS executives Padma Golla, and Srikanth Venugopalan and board and committee members. Their skit featured Dr. Appan as the prime minister of India, AVN Reddy, Dr. Padmini Ranganathan, and Dr. Menon as chief ministers of various States.
TN Chief Minister Amma (a.k.a Dr. Padmini Ranganathan) makes her way to the MTS stage, flanked by Black cat body guards.
Meenakshi Temple Society also offered a silent auction throughout the night with items donated by generous devotees. A scrumptious dinner was catered by Udipi café and the hall was decorated elegantly by Nalini Kannan of Décor One.
Treasurer Padma Golla remarked that the temple is doing well financially. The Fundraising chair A.V.N. Reddy introduced the other co-chairs, Dr. S.G. Appan, Dr. Venugopal Menon and Roopa Balakrishnan and recognized all the donors.
A.V.N. Reddy, said he is humbled by the overwhelming response and generosity of the devotees of Sri Meenakshi Temple in meeting the challenge of raising a Million dollars in the shortest time frame ever. When the pledges were tallied, the silent auction revenues were counted and the night ended, this target has been reached!
Thanks to all the generous donors who made this event a stellar success.