Making a difference
By Glen Sovian
Staff Writer

Day in and day out, first at the Dallas Convention Center and then at Reunion Arena, a bearded man dressed in a characteristically simple, orange-colored outfit and a turban volunteered his time. He was among the most recognizable of volunteers who were handing out fruit drinks and canned food on a daily basis to the Hurricane Katrina victims in Dallas.

He is North Lake student Shambhu Sharan.

More affectionately known as Dada Shubha Cetanananda, Sharan is the president of Renaissance Universal Yoga and Meditation Club at North Lake. On a larger scale, he is also the president of Ananda Marga Dallas Region.

Ananda Marga is a worldwide organization dedicated to dharma (righteousness) and social service by providing services to those in need.

“Since my childhood, I have become used to doing service relief work to help people who suffer from natural calamities or disasters in India,” said Sharan, an international student from India.

The organization has responded to natural and man-made disasters in every continent of the world by providing aid to the victims of earthquakes, fires, droughts, famine and war, including the recent devastation from the tsunami in Asia and now the agony of the Hurricane Katrina. Sharan seeks out those who are in greatest need, even if it means putting himself in discomfort or working long hours.

“I volunteered every day for five to six hours in the weekdays and up to 10 hours in the weekends,” added the freshman, who is interested in peace studies.