Hindu Federation
August 10, 2020
Report on Joint COVID-19 Project Between Hindu Federation and Canada India Foundation
The Hindu Federation would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Frontline Workers who continue to go over and beyond their duty to fight the COVID-19 virus.
As indicated in the previous Communique dated April 11, 2020, The Hindu Federation, in collaboration with the Canada India Foundation, undertook a Project to provide relief to those in need as a result of COVID-19.
The Project was in the form of a Delivery program to Seniors and International Students, and encompassed:
- Purchasing of grocery items
- Packaging of the groceries for delivery
- Coordination of requests from families and students through the website that was created
- Coordination of volunteers for the delivery
- Delivery of the groceries
- Cooking and packaging of the cooked food
- Delivery of the cooked food
- Follow up with the recipients
The hub of the operation was at the Mississauga Ram Mandir, from where the requests were coordinated, groceries stored, packages put together, food cooked, and distribution organized. The on site team included administration staff, three Pandits and one full time cook from the Mississauga Ram Mandir on a full time basis from March 13, 2020 to May 31, 2020. All of their efforts were provided on a pro bono basis.
Groceries were purchased in bulk from local suppliers, made possible by a $15,000 donation from Canada India Foundation, as well as donations from the public. A number of individuals also donated groceries with a value of approximately $5,500.
Delivery of the groceries and cooked food was done by community volunteers, as well as Hindu Federation members, and extended to Brampton, Mississauga, Rexdale, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Markham, Oakville, Cambridge and Burlington.
Over 700 grocery packages and 1,000 cooked meals were delivered to International students and Seniors during the duration of the Project.
Some Hindu Federation members undertook their own local initiatives with respect to COVID-19. These included the Radha Krishna Mandir in Cambridge that raised over $12,000 that were donated to local hospitals.
The COVID-19 Project provided more than food and groceries to our homebound Seniors and International Students who hade been left to fend for themselves. It provided hope.
With so many in our community left vulnerable, human interaction was important during a difficult time. This was achieved through telephone conversations and the face to face contact during the delivery of grocery packages and cooked food. Please see some of the images below.
This Joint project was made possible through the foresight of Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, President of the Hindu Federation, and Anil Shah, Satish Thakkar and Pankaj Dave, executive members of the Canada India Foundation.
The Hindu Federation and Canada India Foundation thank you for your support in assisting our community at large.
We pray that you all stay safe.
City of Mississauga approves Hindu Temples to broadcast religious hymns
On August 10, 2020, the City of Mississauga unanimously passed a resolution to permit Hindu Temples located in Mississauga to broadcast religious hymns once per day at 7.00 p.m. for a maximum of 5 minutes between the period of August 11 and September 1, 2020. Council granted an exemption from the Noise Control By-law for evening hymns. This exemption is provided for this year only due to the pandemic.
The exemption will allow religious hymns to be broadcast for Krishna Janamashtami on August 11, 2020, Ganesh Chatruti on August 22, 2020 and Onam on August 31, 2020.
The request to Council was submitted by Hindu Forum, a Mississauga-based organization, and was supported by the Hindu Federation in the form of a letter submitted by Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, President of the Hindu Federation, after consultation with member organizations