East Bay Hindus Hold Prayers, Raise Money for Mumbai Bombing Victims

July 12, 2006

Source: The Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/15025764.htm

On July 12, 2006 the Contra Costa Times reported, "As officials in Bombay sifted through rubble to find answers in the wake of Tuesday's deadly train bombings, friends, relatives and sympathetic Hindus on the other side of the globe took time out to pray for the victims and raise money to help the survivors. Incense and sonorous chanting filled the temple at the Hindu Community and Cultural Center in Livermore Wednesday night as six Hindu priests and residents from as far as San Rafael convened for an impromptu sunset prayer service for the souls of the victims. 'We believe if we die accidentally, the soul is not happy,' said temple spokesman Sridar Pootheri. 'We try to pacify the spirit.' Venkat Gutta drove from Tracy to attend the prayer vigil, despite not having relatives or friends affected by the Bombay blasts. Nonetheless, Gutta, who grew up in South India, was still struggling to make sense of what he viewed as a needless tragedy. 'That whole city depends on that train,' Gutta said. 'The people who ride those trains, most are just common people. You're not going to achieve anything by blasting innocent people'... The Fremont Hindu Temple also held prayer services Tuesday for the dead and injured in the attacks."