Malhotra's DC Trip

A short note to say that I just returned from an amazing trip to the Washington DC area involving numerous events and meetings. I will write in greater detail once the videos get edited and posted. But meanwhile, want to thank my hosts and the various persons who worked so hard to make it a great success. All my books we took there got sold rapidly - literally disappeared after the first few talks with long lines wanting to buy. To deal with the demand that went well beyond the availability of book, we took money and addresses from a large number of buyers; so in the next day or two we have to ship out many boxes filled with the books to the DC area. 

There was a wonderful recording session at a Washington television studio - 5 interviews were taped on different issues and aspects of BD, each segment ranging from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. These will be aired one at a time spread over a few weeks. I hope to receive the recordings and will post them on our web site. I have been invited back by the TV host to record each chapter of the BD book as a separate segment, followed by a discussion on that chapter.  

The IIT alumni event went very well with a lively interaction on India-ness, its culture, science and other aspects. The Chinmaya Mission held 3 separate events, each with packed audiences of parents with their kids of all ages, and the Q&A was most exciting. I am very impressed by that organization. There was also a major event at the largest temple in the DC area that was attended by the most senior members of the temple. 

The Hindu Student Council hosted a dinner and discussion at their retreat/workshop where I enjoyed meeting aspiring youth wanting to understand the issues more deeply. Overall, it was a good use of my time and well worth it. Everyone who had volunteered came through with great enthusiasm and dedication to the cause - there was no "passing the buck" or "slipping out" of responsibility which unfortunately plagues many Indians' commitments. I felt that the individuals doing various tasks were extremely sincere and acted from the heart. Many new doors have opened and the new relationships created will probably mushroom into bigger opportunities to influence the Washington, DC area's center of power. I will write more later - today I have to spend the day signing copies to be sent to a very large number of buyers who asked for signed copies.

-RM