From: rsaigal@pearl.tufts.edu (Ranjani Saigal)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Appeal from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
Date: 10 Nov 92 04:01:00 GMT
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


                         AN APPEAL

    TO BE FLASHED THROUGH E-MAIL TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

---------------------------------------------------------

The lofty ideals enshrined in the profound Advaitha philosophy of

Sri Adi Sankaracharya have been emphasised time and again in the
preachings of his disciples from the various centres of learning
established by him all over India.  To resuscitate and propagate
these ideals in a systematic and scientific way for the benefit
of the modern society, the devotees of `KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETAM',
invoking the divine blessings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri
Sankaracharya, Sri Chandrasekarendra Swamigal, the present head
of the Peetam, His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathy Swamigal and
his disciple, His Holiness Sri Vijayendra Saraswathy Swamigal, 
are planning to set up a Centre for Advanced Research, Information
and Training in Indian Culture, Religion and Philisophy, in a
recently acquired plot of land admeasuring about 10 acres at
Enathur in the close vicinity of Kancheepuram, the headquarters
of the Kanchi Peetam.

As the name itself indicates, the Centre will be concentrating 
on all facets of study and research related to those value
systems imbided in the Indian culture that will promote emotional
integration at the national and international levels, irrespective
of individual religious affiliations or philosophical convictions.
It will bring to sharp focus the motto of `Unity in Diversity'
and propagate the principles of universal brotherhood love and
peace which are greatly in need particularly in the prevailing
atmosphere of animosity and hatred based on blind beliefs and
short-sighted goals for self aggrandizement.  The Centre will
initiate work for an objective understanding of Indian history
free from all the subjective elements introduced in it by the
various schools of historians.  In depth studies of all Indian
languages, traditional arts, sculpture and schools of medicine
are also some of the other proposed activities.

Taking advantage of the modern tools of information technology
for the systematic assimilation and dissemination of knowledge,
the Centre is planning to set up a well equipped library of rare
books, manuscripts, palm leaf and copper plate inscriptions etc.
with documentation facilities like computer storage, microfilms
and videotapes.  Elaborate audio-visual systems are also planned
for information retrieval and exposition.  The Centre also
proposes to collect systematic information on the historical
background, religious, artistic and sculptural highlights as
well as the colourful folklore associated with all the holy
places in India for the benefit of the researchers, pilgrims
and tourists.  It will also act as a clearing house for exchange
of information with all other institutions engaged in similar
pursuits and also provide an elite forum for conferences,
discussions and study groups on various topics of Indian
culture religious and philosphies.

Obviously such an ambitious project will need substantial 
financial and other inputs.  It has been estimated that an
initial capital outlay of about 30 million rupees will be
needed which will include about 10 million rupees for the
buildings, 10 million rupees for equipment, furniture, books
and other infrastructural facilities and another 10 million
rupees towards the corpus fund needed for giving scholarships
and salary to the researchers and other staff.

It is our firm belief that you, as an ardent admirer and 
supporter of this noble cause, will definitely contribute
generously in cash or kind.  We, therefore, earnestly appeal
to each one of you who reads this message to kindly send 
your contributions at your earliest convenience.  We also
request you to give wide publicity to this appeal through
all channels of communication accessible to you both 
individually and collectively.

Cash contributions may please be sent by mail transfer,
cheque or demand draft drawn in favour of:

    Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Charitable Trust (Library)
                 Savings Bank A/c.No. 19720
              Indian Bank, Sankara Matom Branch
         KANCHEEPURAM - 631 502, Tamil Nadu, India.

                             OR

    Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Charitable Trust (Library)
                 Savings Bank A/c. No. 3100
                    Indian Overseas Bank
                      Ennaikara Street
         KANCHEEPURAM - 631 501, Tamil Nadu, India.

Contributions in kind may be in the form of equipment (like 
PC's, audio-visual equipment etc.), furniture, books, building
materials etc.  These may please be sent to

                     Sri Sankaracharya Math
                        No.1 Salai Street
            KANCHEEPURAM - 631 502, Tamil Nadu, India.

All contributions, in cash or kind, will be individually and
gratefully acknowledged and will also receive the blessings
of the Jagadguru.  We firmly believe that `Droplets make the
ocean' and hence are absolutely sure that the whole-hearted
and overwhelming support of millions of ardent devotees like
you will help us to complete the Centre in time for dedication
to the Jagadguru.  His Holiness Sri Chandrasekara Saraswathy
Swamigal (respectfully called as Paramacharyal) on the occasion
of his 100th birthday next year (1993).

All donations will be eligible for permissible income tax 
benefits.  In the case of foreign donors sending their donations
in kind, we request the following information to be provided
along with the consignment which will help us clear the customs
without payment of customs duty.

 i)  Full particulars of the contents of each package along
     with the estimated cost calculated on the basis whether
     the items are new or used ones.

ii)  A letter specifying that it is exclusively for donation
     to this academic institution and not for any other
     commercial purposes.

Should you need any further information on any aspects related
to the proposed Centre, please feel free to write to the
following address:

                     Computer Centre
                 Sri Sankaracharya Math
                   No. 1, Salai Street
           KANCHEEPURAM - 631 502, Tamil Nadu, India.

May the Blessings of the Jagadguru bring happiness and prosperity
in the life of each one of you.


              HARA HARA SANKARA JAYA JAYA SANKARA