<!--QuoteBegin-Husky+Feb 20 2007, 12:34 PM-->QUOTE(Husky @ Feb 20 2007, 12:34 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Mudy, I recall that Vivek Oberoi already had a Hindu charity (Asha Bhonsle and may be some other famous Hindus were also involved or I'm mixing up Oberoi's charity with Bhonsle's).
In any case, I believe it was a very Hindu charity, not merely a secular one with a Hindu name. He was already a famous person at that time, but as usual I didn't know who he was. But I remember being pleased about the fact that some famous Indian actor was trying to help his people.
Did not save any link to that piece of news, so I guess you should treat this as you would other second-hand info.[right][snapback]64720[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Have found some semblance of supporting information of his Hindu fellow-help activities:
http://www.christianaggression.org/item_di...S&id=1113357163
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Vivek Oberoi: Missionary and Liquor Lobbies Drove Us Out</b>
Posted April 12, 2005
The Hindu
By Sandhya Soman
KARAIKAL, APRIL 2 2005
Kalaivani knows that Vivek Oberoi is an actor. But she did not expect him to come to her house at Pattinacherry near here to inaugurate a computer centre today.
`Project Hope' for tsunami victims has moved out of Thevanampattinam in Cuddalore district to Pattinacherry. And Mr. Oberoi is not apologetic about it. "We have given up," he says. Especially, the project to build permanent houses at Thevanampattinam. Mr. Oberoi says his donors slowly backed out as land allotment got delayed and he faced media backlash for unfulfilled promises.
"Nobody bothered to find out what happened at Thevanampattinam." He said pro-conversion and liquor lobbies tried to "discredit" the effort from day one, when he refused to let them be part of the project; he found it difficult to explain to the villagers that he was not abandoning them but was leaving the place to bring in funds for providing permanent rehabilitation.
"I cannot live there. Also, money poured in while relief was being distributed. But I wanted to do more," he says with his hand on his heart. Till the end of February, Mr. Oberoi and his team held on to the hope of providing pucca houses, boats and nets. Now, the 400 sets of nets and the boats the villagers asked for are ready for distribution.
"I have no complaints and I don't blame the Tamil Nadu Government. They are doing their best as it is difficult to come up with a uniform policy for such a big State."
But he did not miss out a chance to again round up his donors after a meeting with the Pondicherry Governor, Lieutenant General M.M. Lakhera.
The result is a Rs. 10-crore project at Pattinacherry consisting of independent houses for more than 1,000 residents away from the sea, a school, community and health centres and even a dock for the boats in the nearby waterbody.
<b>21st century village</b>
Says Mr. Lakhera: "Together we are going to come up with a 21st century village. The Government has just given the land. Vivek is the driving force."
This morning the actor and his spiritual guru Chidananda Saraswati inaugurated a computer centre, gave away sewing machines to a group of women from the village and kits of essentials.
"He said he would help. So far he has come three times. The last time he did `bhoomi puja' at the house construction site," says Kalaivani.
Mr. Oberoi is clear this time. He says he has given time for the project till April 15. "Once the construction starts, I will get back to what I do best â acting," he says with a smile. And worry about removing his black circles for the four movie projects this year.
But not before distributing those boats, nets and "my love and good byes" to the people of Thevanampattinam.
"I am not apprehensive to go back. There are lots of people there who still respect and appreciate the work I have done. I am hurt that the people are upset. Outside elements have been playing on their fears."
<b>11 boats donated</b>
Eleven motorised boats and nets worth Rs. 27 lakhs were donated today to Thevanampattinam under the aegis of `Project Hope'.
Mr. Oberoi, Swami Chidananda Saraswati and the Collector, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, set off in one of the boats to the sea. The boat was decked up with colourful banners and festoons.
One of the boats, carrying the village youth overturned, causing some anxious moments.
The donation was part of the Tsunami Relief Camp set up under `Project Hope.' The organisers said the village would receive four more boats.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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