Comments on: Free and in DC tonight? Let’s help Padma.

By: N Meeg

N Meeg — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:37:20 +0000

Is this fund still active? How r the kids doing?

By: The 8x10

The 8x10 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:04:22 +0000

SUNDAY AUG 31st The 8×10 in Baltimore MD will be holding a benefit show for Padma and her family. Basshound, Earthtone, Drop Electric, Byznatine Top 40 are all scheduled to perform. 410.625.2000 10 east cross st Baltimore md 21230

By: a friend

a friend — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:54:19 +0000

I am grateful that Anna found this story and thought to post it on Sepia Mutiny. Having known this family since I was a child, I feel obliged to share something about them. I first met Raju (the deceased father) when I was a child, growing up in the DC suburbs in the 70s. He was a cook at the first Indian vegetarian restaurant to open in DC – it was called Siddhartha and its original location was downtown, near the White House. Indian veg was not so popular then, but a steady stream of satisfied customers from the World Bank, IMF and surrounding embassies made Siddhartha (and Raju) very popular. Raju left the restaurant, but remained a renowned culinary hand, and was generally a “renaissance man.” He did it all -he was a fantastic singer, tireless and devoted father and husband, amazing cook, a spiritual soul, and a devoted and philanthropic member of the larger community. What an example he and Jayanthi set. I used to see them about town, wheeling Pavan wherever they went. They all seemed, to the outside observer, incredibly happy in the face of so many challenges. The entire family took part in the care and nurture of the two obviously disabled brothers. Padma. I remember her at various weddings and community events – striking, not only because she was attractive, but also because she was mature beyond her years. She was a surrogate mom to her younger siblings from a very young age. Those kids made the rest of us look bad. Though I was not intimately involved with the family, their presence and example was always a comfort – a reference point for a lot of what was good and right about people. Please help them.

By: Pankaj

Pankaj — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:11:40 +0000

I just talked to my dad about this story and apparently he had met them. They were active in the sai baba centers, hence the name sairam. Saibaba actually named me and from what I here his parents were admirable people. I am proud to see the Sai and Indian communities rallying around this family. Anyone with the name sairam is obviously a friend of mine. I would be interested in knowing what I can do to "be of service", I am unfortunately not currently so active in Sai activities. Too much drama/karma.

Pankaj

By: sunzari

sunzari — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:33:49 +0000

This is so sad. Thank you SM for posting this story. Sending prayers their way…

By: Yo Dad

Yo Dad — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:58:19 +0000

Thanks for posting this. We went to a Gujarati Sugam Sangeet program on July 26th at my friend’s home, when this was mentioned. Indeed it ia very sad story. Folks please send whatever you can for a good cause. Thanks

By: SpottieOttieDopaliscious

SpottieOttieDopaliscious — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:48:03 +0000

1 Â· Inv said

I may have missed this, but has anyone setup a donation fund for the surviving daughter?

The end of the Post article also listed this: Donations to the Pavan and Sairam Soundararajan Fund can be sent to SunTrust Bank, 9812 Falls Rd., Potomac, Md. 20854.

I'm going to try to get to the event tonight...hope others can make it.

By: yeti

yeti — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:29:53 +0000

I think this was the link for donations?

By: Inv

Inv — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:28:37 +0000

I may have missed this, but has anyone setup a donation fund for the surviving daughter?