“There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.” —Paramahansa Yogananda

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation distributed food to the needy on August 14 in remembrance of that selfless great soul - Sri Penumacha Narasimha Raju. 

He has been one of my best friends for about 40 years. He is always ready to help and used to go out of his way to help me when the need arose.  I could count on him on any issue, at any time and on all occasions. He was dharmic soul. 
As Morgan Matson says, “Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what. The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home.  And real friends never have to tell you that they’re your friends.”
My wife and I were doing PhD at Mississippi State University (MSU) from 1967 through 1971. Raju Garu and many of our friends came from India to earn a master’s in engineering. He came in January 1970 and instantly became friends. Later, his family joined. Our families used to meet very frequently and established a very close bond. Then, in 1974, We moved to Jackson, MS, and started working at Jackson State University. At that time, about ten families became good friends, and even today, we continue our friendship.

As we all know that no body’s life is smooth or stress free.  It is friends who can provide comfort and help release stress. In general, if you have friends you can count on, you are lucky and fortunate. Sri Raju was such a true friend you can count on. He is always there when you needed him.
Raju Garu and his family moved to Kosciusko after completing his master’s degree and worked for a few years. Then they moved to Jackson and found a house in the neighborhood where we were living, about three-minute walk from our house. In 1972, we both had daughters born about one month apart. Since we were living in the same neighborhood, our friendship strengthened.
                Slowly, over the years, my family got involved in the construction of the Hindu Temple in Brandon, MS. I became the founding Chairman of the Temple in 1985. Raju Garu was always with me on every step of the way, helping without hesitation. When I resigned because of some differences in the Board regarding implementing Dharmic rules as per the scriptures, Raju Garu always stood by me. He wholeheartedly defended my position in preserving and protecting Dharma in the operation of the Temple. He and his family provided the emotional support I needed at the time.
                Many people used to say we are like brothers, always together and doing many things jointly. 
                 He even helped the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation, established in 2006. For close to three years, he used to help with our accounts. It was always comforting to know that he was always there whenever I needed his help. 
                It was in 2009; he and his wife went to India to attend a wedding. Unfortunately, he developed severe stomach pain, and he was admitted to the hospital in Hyderabad.
                Everybody was shocked to learn that he had left his body. They all cried to learn of his demise. As a close friend, I often remember his good nature, his righteous behavior, his moral compass, and his good nature. I feel lucky to have met a friend like him. 
Kudo to Sugana Garu for doing many charitable activities in memory of Raju Garu. She sponsored Annadanam last year also. GHHF is very fortunate to distribute annadanam again this year.

Annadanam was distributed on August 14 in remembrance of that great soul, Penumacha Narasimha Raju. Nearly three hundred people were served Annadanam. The distribution started in China Kakani Temple and then moved to Guntur. Our team went to different locations to serve the meals.

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