8 days with sri ramanuja trust

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Report on 8 days with Sri Ramanuja Trust by Frank Kaufmann, February 26, 2015 Page 1 Dear All As you know I just returned from 8 days in India. My time there was fascinating, transforming, and challenging. Thank you sincerely for your prayers and kind support for me which I requested of you prior to this journey. The week was organized differently than I expected. The whole program lasted 2 to 3 weeks (I was able to devote just 8 days.) The organizers, Sri Ramanuja Trust, convened international scholars and activists to serve events scheduled in many different cities and towns. Since few could spend so long away, the international contingent was fluid. People came and went I began in the company of an Atlanta-based, legal activist involved in the development of a human and environment-friendly “world constitution” and parliament, and a

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A brief and superficial description of my February, 2015 tour in India

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Page 1: 8 Days With Sri Ramanuja Trust

Report on 8 days with Sri Ramanuja Trustby Frank Kaufmann, February 26, 2015

Page 1

Dear All

As you know I just returned from 8 days in India. My time there was fascinating,transforming, and challenging. Thank you sincerely for your prayers and kind support forme which I requested of you prior to this journey.

The week was organized differently than I expected. The whole program lasted 2 to 3weeks (I was able to devote just 8 days.)

The organizers, Sri Ramanuja Trust, convened international scholars and activists toserve events scheduled in many different cities and towns. Since few could spend solong away, the international contingent was fluid. People came and went

I began in the company of an Atlanta-based, legal activist involved in the developmentof a human and environment-friendly “world constitution” and parliament, and a

Page 2: 8 Days With Sri Ramanuja Trust

Report on 8 days with Sri Ramanuja Trustby Frank Kaufmann, February 26, 2015

Page 2

University of Hawaii political science professor dedicated to issues of food security,child hunger, and nutrition. Before I left we were joined by a women’s rights, Islamscholar and activist from Tunisia, and a media and television peace activist fromBelgrade.

My role throughout was to address issues related to religion and peace, andinterreligious reconciliation and collaboration.

We spoke at locally-organized venues, and met local education, social, political andspiritual leaders in each of the towns and cities to which we traveled. Speaking venuesranged from yoga training institutes and centers to universities. While there we spoke togroups ranging from Muslim educators from Kashmir studying peace and interfaith life

Page 3: 8 Days With Sri Ramanuja Trust

Report on 8 days with Sri Ramanuja Trustby Frank Kaufmann, February 26, 2015

Page 3

in the mountains at the Rishi Gurukalam Peace Village, to students and faculty from 3colleges at a major Business Management college (Balija Institute) in Pune, as well asto two groups of medical students and faculty at hospital colleges in Mumbai.Audiences for our presentations ranged from 25 (at the Peace Village) to some 100 andmore at the colleges and universities. At every major venue, Professor ChaturvediSwami, founder of Sri Ramanuja Trust gave the keynote discourse.

There is much more to tell, and I am more than glad to write or call with anyoneinterested, to explain more deeply of my experiences.

For now I have just these few pictures: http://bit.ly/1ETyAPl, but will post more if I cansecure them from the host organization

Once again, my deep and sincere thanks for your loving support and care

With respect

Frank K