Editor Carla Geerdes
Every morning at 8 a.m., a rented bus was starting from Kenton Library in north-west London to the northerly situated Oshwal Centre at Potter's Bar; at 8 p.m. departure was back to town. During the trip, Mantras and prayers were recited, and everybody arrived in high spirit.
The 30 minutes drive was mainly used by elderly people who highly appreciated the opportunity. Dhiru Shah (right) was contributing to everyone's good mood by always giving a smile with his helping hand. Dhiru did his service as a volunteer on ten succeeding days for twelve hours.
Whoever felt necessity of support in moving, was invited to address to the drivers of caddies, brought by the gulfing members of the Oshwal association.
For those hardly being able to move, wheelchairs were available. When families arrived in their cars, those needing wheelchairs were directed aside (as the car on the photo). People waited there for the volunteer bringing the wheelchair (right); while the car was parked, the volunteer took care for the person in the wheelchair. Even the car parking, one of the most difficult logistic problems when an event has to be organised, was managed by volunteers.
Bobeye (left) is a bus driver. He first picked up the early morning volunteers for clearing the aerea and preparing breakfast at 7 a.m. near Wembley stadium to Potter's Bar, and then circulated from Cockfosters tube station to the temple and vice versa. At 11 p.m. he took the last volunteers back to Wembley. He enjoyed very much Indian tea and his job.
In the little kitchen, Indian tea was prepared; it was like an energy refill station for many volunteers and professionals like this cook (right) from India.
Becky from kid's corner of Jain Spirit magazine was providing plates for the kids she was in charge of in the magazine's tent; amongst others, the kids were drawing their impressions from Pratishtha Mahotsav. The result can be admired in one of the magazine's coming issues.
These volunteers helped in the kitchen. Imagine, one has to prepare salad for 7000 people...
... and to cook 7000 portions of Dal; but yet the whole meal is not complete.
(To be continued)