Saibaba has been extremely merciful and helpful to the Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan of New Zealand (Inc).
Once completed, our Temple and Community Hall complex, covering more than 3500 Sq m, would be one of the largest Saibaba Temple complexes in Oceania.
With Baba’s help, we secured a very good architect, builder and loan facility with a commercial bank to complete this project successfully, irrespective of our own fundraising activity.
Countdown has begun, with only 36 weeks to go!
The new Executive Committee (EC), elected at the Annual General Meeting held on July 14, 2012, signed the contract with the Builder on August 19, 2012 and commenced work on August 20, 2012.
Cost reduced
The EC, aided by the Temple Committee, managed to reduce the contract price from $2,765,000 to $2,700,000 and the building timeframe from 52 to 40 weeks.
It also managed a half day Construction Commencement Celebrations on August 11, 2012, with the help of devotees. More than 500 people attended the Ceremony, which helped to raise $54,000.
The EC also helped in conducting ‘R&R3,’ a successful musical programme on September 1, 2012 by the talented youth of the Sansthan, with more than eight people in attendance, raising over $20,000.
Major donations
We are pleased that the Sansthan has received six major donor commitments of $10,001 each in the last five weeks. Support of the devotees, with the Grace of Baba has been heart-warming.
We thank all the devotees who have helped us and request everyone to support the Project with their generous donations and positive thoughts.
The current EC was formed with skilled and experienced people to manage the Temple Project efficiently. It has met eight times in as many weeks to discuss important issues, take collective decisions and report to devotees with transparency.
A few members and their supporters, who did not want to be a part of this team, are upset because they are not at the helm during this important Temple building year. We had in fact requested them at the AGM to join the EC.
They are spreading rumours and are fear mongering.
I request all the devotees to focus on the Temple Project, follow Baba’s teachings and do not contribute and encourage this scandal mongering, mudslinging and nit-picking approach. Unaware of their doings, they are bringing the Sansthan into disrepute. I strongly believe that Baba will help them realise their folly.
President Hari Gangisetty is the President of the Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan Inc based in Auckland. Email: president@shirdisaibaba.org.nz
