Mr. Prakash and I have just returned from India. As you may recall, Mr. Prakash was a senior project supervisor for the San Diego Unified School District. In that capacity, he oversaw many multi-million dollar projects from the design phase through construction. Thus he is very qualified to help steer our new temple project to completion. Prakash recently retired so he is now able to dedicate his full energy to oversee the new temple work. We are joking with him that he only had a few weeks retirement before Krishna gave him a new job, seeing that the new temple is built quickly, to the top standards, and at the best price.
Prakash and I spent some time with our architects in Delhi. They are making good progress on the plans. Their target date for completion for all the drawings and their submittal to the City for the first review is the mid-to-end of July. Prakash traveled to the state of Gujarat, on the western side of India, to personally meet with the stone carving firm ("Tejal Marbles") and to inspect their operations. His report is that their quality and skill are top notch and they are up to the challenge.
The plans for the grading, street improvements and installing the utilities have been completed by our civil engineer and they have now been through three cycles of review. The fourth and expected-to-be final version is in the hands of the City Engineering department even as I write this note. (This series of reviews is standard practice for plan approval.) Hector Favela, the senior City engineer assigned to our project, says that he should have his comments done by the first or second week in April.
We have started investigating the process of bonding for the construction work for this phase of the project (the grading, street improvements, and utilities). This bond assures the City that the work will be done by us or they can call on the bond to finish the work. It is so that the City is not left with half-finished grading or torn-up public roads. Again, requiring bonds for this kind of work is standard practice.
We expect the grading plans to be approved shortly and we aim to be able to begin the grading and then the actual construction before the end of the year. Of course, this timeline depends on the fund raising efforts keeping pace. You can help by sending a generous contribution and also by keeping this project in your prayers.
Krishna has been doing His part. He revealed the perfect site for the temple (now paid for in full). He inspired the City Council to give us the permit for the project. He has arranged for this amazing contribution. As I write this letter, the construction drawings are being completed and the City is reviewing our grading plan.
Now it is time for us to do our part. On the battlefield of Kuruksetra,
from the Mahabharat, Krishna assured Arjuna of success. But Arjuna
had to do his part and fight. We need everyone’s help to complete
this noble project. Success is assured, by Krishna’s grace, but
we all have the great good fortune to play our part. Please see
Special Naming & Gifting opportunities for more information on specific aspects of the project you might want to fund.
Thank you for your interest.
Badrinarayan dasa /On behalf of the New Temple Project Advisory Board and Board of Directors
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