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Take Your Seat for the Puja

By Alan Kehe
03-Dec-13
Take Your Seat for the <i>Puja</i>


Doing it right: AES New Delhi staff members, taking in the puja (photo: AES).
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A traditional Hindu puja (“pooja”) ceremony recently took place inside the new Stein Library at the American Embassy School (AES) of New Delhi, India. Pujas are usually performed before occupancy takes place in a new home or building, and this was a meeting of ancient Indian tradition with 21st century design.
Melinda Kehe, Middle School and High School Librarian, participated in this unique ceremony with other AES faculty. The attendees quietly sat on the floor around a small square area. This area is known as the havan, and within its four sides are arrangements of colorful symbols with offerings of food to the gods. The havan flame burns from here, and is contained inside a small firebox used in the ceremony for participants to pour a special type of oil onto it, to produce smoke under the guidance of the pandit (puja leader) and in cadence with his spoken mantras (prayers).
During this solemn occasion it is believed that the flames and smoke will work together to push out the evil spirits. With doors and windows open, the flame and smoke were real.
Under the current master campus renovation plans, the Stein building underwent extensive renovation and is now able to house 35,000 volumes. Not only does the newly renovated library have a large collection of books, it has also been re-designed for the 21st century learner. It includes six break-out study rooms equipped with flat-screen TVs that will enhance multi-media projects, a classroom with 20 MacBook Airs for research, and numerous work tables and study carols.
There is also plenty of soft seating scattered around the library, which will accommodate groups or individuals looking for a place to read and relax. Finally, our 1:1 model will be supported, as there are outlets throughout the entire library for patrons to use their devices. It is a whole new environment for active minds! Ms. Kehe, in her eighth year at AES, is excited. She said, ”This is a dream come true for any librarian and the new space will meet the needs of our entire community.”
India offers so much color and vibrancy in its traditions and ceremonies, that special occasions like this are truly unique opportunities to be part of, especially right on campus. As Bob Hetzel, AES’ then-Director observed, “The puja was a charming way to launch our new library. It honored the traditions of our wonderful host country and meant a lot to our local staff.”
The doors are now open to our students, faculty and parents. As library staff member Murari Sharma proudly stated, “I felt honored to be a part of this puja.”




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