TEMPLE PROJECT UPDATE
November 21, 2008
· Hari Om
· I want to thank everybody for being here tonight and becoming part of this wonderful evening. Before I start my presentation I would like to chant this beautiful Mantra which all of you already know:
“Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, meaning, may everybody be happy”
“sarve santu niraamayaah, meaning, may everybody be free from disease”
“Sarve bhadranni pashyantu, meaning, may everybody have good luck”
“maa kaschcid dihkhabhaag bhavet, meaning, may none fall on evil days”
· You are all here tonight as members of the Almighty’s extended family and to witness this plan to build a bigger home for Almighty and his extended family, that is all of you.
· There is great looking new temple brochure on your tables which explains the entire project. I have been given this honor tonight to present to you the plans to build new temple at current temple site.
· We also have a temple model made up to give a visual affect of the temple building
· Entire team of Long Range Planning Committee spearheaded by Suresh Ji and myself have been working tirelessly under the guidance of Hindu Temple Board of Trustees on plans for construction of new temple. As you all know that for the past year and half, we have gone through real big hurdles with neighbors and Canton Township to get this plan approved. With grace of Almighty this approval to build a new temple at current site was approved by Canton Township Board of Trustees on April 22, 2008. This day was a historic day in Hindu Temple’s history.
· Now let me go back to the presentation. Front page of this brochure beautifully depicts eye catching features of this great looking temple. This is how our new temple is going to look like. Isn’t this a great looking piece of architecture? As you can see that there are lots of trees as part of the landscaping
· Tonight, we have here amongst us, members of Temple’s Architect team of Lindhout and Associates. I want to thank them for coming up with this beautiful design
· Also amongst us here tonight are members of Temple’s construction management team from Rand Construction. Both, teams have worked very hard over the last year to come with practical designs and plans for new temple.
· Next slide is Temple’s First Floor plan. I am sure all of you have had a chance to peak at these plans which have been displayed in the entryway as well as in this brochure. Now, instead of complicated details, for ease and convenience we have shown names in each of the areas. I will walk you through this floor.
· Before entering the temple you will see that there are 2 elephants which enhance the entry feature
· These steps have non-slippery surface tiles as well as ice melt system to keep this area completey clean from snow and icey water during winter.
· There is going to be a covered drop off area for cars to drop off family members and then go back and park. This will be a real help for our senior members as well ladies and children during rain and winter.
· Next slide is plans for the lower level. Let me walk you through.
· Next slide is the exact location of the temple. This shows where our existing temple is and where the proposed temple is going to be.
· Now I will go into: Strategy to Raise Funds and Financing options for the New Temple Building
1. Back in June 2008, I had conveyod this great news to all members and devotees about receiving approval of Tax Free Bond by Michigan Strategic Fund - backed by L/C from Comerica. Finance amount depends upon appraisal of the to be built temple property. Detailed drawings have been submitted and appraisal will be ordered by Comerica Bank soon
2. Monthly payments will be partly paid by
· Sponsorships of all temple areas by Temple members and devotees(Our fundraising Chairman Ashwani Narula Ji will go over the details of this very soon) We intend to raise a fair amount tonight with this effort.
· Money raised via Gold, Silver and Copper Kalash Pujan and Aaarti plates at the Bhumi Pujan. Just to let you know that several kind hearted devotees have already donated towards this option. We intend to raise approx. $500,000 with this option.
· Money raised by offering Pooja Bricks at the Bhumi Pujan. We intend to raise approx $ 101,000 with this option(i.e 1000 bricks at $101 per brick)
· Money raised via Raffel(this one is a very attractive option). We intend to raise approx $200,000 with this option
· Money raised via interest free loans from devotees. Several devotees have shown interest in this option.
· Some money will be raised with Tree Sponsorship and Shovels for ground breaking.
· Money will be raised with Annual Maata Ki Chowki at the temple.
· Additional monies will be raised by entertainment programs such as Pandit Jasraj etc
· Banquet Hall rental as well as rental of classrooms will pay for majority of temple operation costs.
· And then off course, our yearly fund raising events and daily collections at the temple which will subsidize cost of regular temple operations.
· As most of you know that life membership is $10000. If you are not able to pay right away, you can pay what ever you like per year such as $2000 per year or $200 per month to reach to the level of $10,000
· I hope I have given you enough information tonight about the entire temple project.
· At present building permits from both city as well as county are scheduled for December 2008.
· But, let me assure you that we are in no hurry. Long Range Planning Committee and Board of Trustees of Hindu Temple will think through everything especially finance needs as well as reviewing costs of each line item before starting any construction of the temple.
· With costs of all material down, we intend to negotiate hard to bring down cost of the total project.
· We look forward to celebrating Bhumi Pujan in grand style with 3 days of celebrations on May 15, 16 and 17th and of course we will be counting on all devotees to donate generously sothat we can proceed with making a beautiful looking temple for our Bhawan Ji or as I said before “Tere pujan ko Bhagwan Banaigae Mandir Alishann, Banaigae Mandir Alishan, Banaigae Mandir Alishan”
· “ Let us make it happen together”
God Bless us all
Jai Ram Ji Ki
Jai Sri Krishna
Namaskar
Manoj Sachdeva
Advisor to Hindu Temple(New Temple Project)
2