The age-old Hindu tradition of service was very much evident in Houston when hundreds of volunteers from Hindu organizations took up the task of feeding Hurricane Katrina survivors in relief centres all over the country.
The relief operation gave a new purpose to the organizations which had so far been organizing only Hindu festivals and several volunteers said what they were doing would change their entire outlook.
Katrina: India to join relief efforts
Hundreds of volunteers from Hindu organizations donned yellow t-shirts identifying them as volunteers and worked three shifts during the weekened.
They included volunteers from the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) whose volunteers took care of the early morning shift and Sewa International which coordinated the volunteers for all three shifts.
Hasu D Patel and his fellow volunteers from Leva Patidar Samaj and Asian American Hotel Association too helped in relief efforts.
Indian Americans open expertise for Katrina victims
Well-known yoga instructor/practitioner Mallikarjun Shintri, 70, recalled volunteering years ago when Hurricane Camille
hit Mississippi in 1969.
"Whomever I met, these evacuees are very positive and never lost their hopes," commented Kirti Jain, who was volunteering alongside local people for the first time.
India sends supplies for Katrina victims
The programme, initiated by Houston city and Harris country, mobilizes local volunteers to provide personal touch of Houston hospitality to new neighbours, who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.