Hindu Temple Nominations: 2025-2026

• modernizing from manual physical booking to electronic / digital
• allowing temple activities to be given importance apart from private events
• booking being visible to all and ability to check for available date.

• modernizing from manual to electronic/digital booking
• drafting a social hall agreement with individualized needs

EC Secretary, Vice President, Member, Board Member

• Temple library support including buying tools for effective checkout,checkin
• Puja committee member , co-chair including not limited to
• suggesting new timings for temple to EC ( weekdays and weekends)
• bringing in new pujas like Vidya Ganapathi puja, Navagraha shanti puja
• creating standard templates for puja circulation( being used even today)
• suggesting changing 1 day main event to 3 day events like Chathurthi day, Shivaratri day etc.
• suggesting re-introducing Community Sri Satyanarayana puja (happening by His Grace even today)
• bringing in more groups to puja committee including Nepali group, Marati group in 2017
• suggesting digital approach to counting money and puja receipts

• bringing back pre-covid timings if not already implemented
• have a kids corner with swing/slide and basket ball mini court just like churches
• conducting audio training classes for priests
• Implementing energy-saving measures (e.g., sliding doors) to preserve donor contributions
• 2027 Kumbhabhishekam activities
• tour streamlining using more videos and virtual tours so that even temple manager can conduct it.
• a plan for conducting bigger events often, etc.

Sayi Repakula

My name is Sayi Kishore Repakula. My wife and I moved to Omaha more than two decades ago, and since then, this city—and especially the Hindu Temple—has been the center of our spiritual and social life. Over the years, we’ve raised two wonderful children here, and I’ve grown professionally and personally while staying deeply involved in service to our temple community.

In 2010–2011, shortly after completing my MBA at UNO, I felt a strong calling to give back to the temple that had given us so much. I began volunteering with a clear mission: to modernize temple operations, improve financial transparency, and build a culture of service rooted in respect, collaboration, and dharma.

Temple Service – A Journey of Dedication
Over the past 14+ years, I have dedicated over 40 hours each month to temple service (until 2020)—even while managing a demanding corporate career and familyresponsibilities. I’ve held several key leadership roles, including:

• Asst. Treasurer
• Treasurer
• Finance Chairman
• Vice President
• Security Chair

 
Each of these roles has shaped me and deepened my understanding of the temple’s unique needs, its cultural fabric, and the aspirations of its diverse devotee base.

Key Accomplishments

1. Financial Transformation

In 2010, the temple’s financial system was largely manual, prone to delays and human error. I introduced automation and streamlined workflows, ensuring accurate, timely, and transparent financial processes.
I have fully streamlined financial processes and worked towards eliminating single point of failure and to create a system that would serve all future office-bearers effectively.
     2. Leadership Development
I’ve mentored several Finance Chairs, Treasurers, and Assistant Treasurers, often personally training them in accounting tools, compliance procedures, and donor reporting systems.
I believe in empowering others, sharing knowledge freely, and building capacity for long- term sustainability.
    3. Inclusivity and Unity
I’ve proactively involved devotees from all regions, languages, and cultural backgrounds, recognizing that our strength lies in our diversity.
I’ve always maintained an open-door approach, valuing ideas regardless of status or affiliation, and helping mediate differences with empathy and respect.
   4. Major Events Coordination
Maharudram (2013 & 2025) and Maha Kumbhabhishekam (2015)
Served as the finance lead during planning and execution.
Managed budgeting, donations, pledges, donor gift distribution, and post-event reconciliations.
Recruited and trained finance volunteers, ensuring financial integrity and donor satisfaction.
Community Center Acquisition
Developed and presented a detailed business plan at the request of the Board Chair.
Justified the building purchase through extensive research, financial projections, and community engagement.
   5. Security and Infrastructure Projects
Personally, led the project to implement video surveillance and secure card access systems for both the Main Temple and Community Center.
Secured full FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding—a highly competitive and paperwork-intensive process.
Worked directly with federal officials and contractors to bring this high-impact project to life.
Vision for the Future
Temple as a Sacred Ecosystem
Our temple is more than a place of worship—it is a vibrant institution that connects generations, preserves traditions, and cultivates the community.
As we move toward the Maha Kumbhabhishekam in 2027, we must plan today for tomorrow’s needs.

Key Priorities I Will Champion

   1. Infrastructure & Safety Improvements
Focus on FEMA security grants to enhance security around community center.
Address critical repair needs in the Prayer Hall, Sai Mandir, and temple entrance areas.
Replace deteriorating features such as Indianization panels—not just for aesthetics, but for safety and cultural preservation.
   2. Long-Term Planning
Introduce multi-year project planning to ensure steady progress on renovations and expansions.
Improve our tracking systems for donor engagement, maintenance schedules, and project budgets.
   3. Canteen Upgrades
While our canteen is financially successful, it is heavily dependent on volunteers.
I propose a strategic upgrade to the kitchen infrastructure, including better tools, systems, and workflow automation to reduce volunteer fatigue and improve efficiency.
   4. Strategic, Empathetic Leadership
The Vice President’s role must go beyond focusing on one dimension—it must offer vision, diplomacy, and decisiveness.
I bring a balanced approach that blends tradition with innovation, and management with heart.
A Leadership of Trust, Transparency, and Dharma
I step forward not just with experience—but with renewed commitment. I understand the systems, the people, and the sacredness of this responsibility.
I also recognize that every devotee’s journey begins with prayer, and that our first duty is to make the temple a welcoming, respectful, and spiritually nourishing space.
As someone who has served in silence and led through example, I now ask for your trust, your blessing, and your vote.
Let us build the future with shared responsibility, rooted values, and visionary leadership.
 
With humility and folded hands.

Nominees for Member-at-Large of Executive Committee

Ramasubramanian Rajamani

Specific Contributions to the Temple

Over the past 15+ years, I have had the privilege of serving the Temple in various capacities, including:

• Volunteer Priest: Actively supported daily pujas, homams, abhishekams, and major events such as Mahashivaratri, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Maha Rudram, Maha Kumbhabhishekam, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Ayappa Mandala Pooja, Kuzhandai Velan Kavadi and Vahana pooja. In the absence of priests, I have stepped in to perform poojas and ensure the continuity of temple rituals.
• Ritual & Religious Planning: Helped coordinate and support sankalpam logistics, pooja items procurement, and event flow for large-scale religious functions.
• Temple Maintenance & Upkeep: Provided assistance with regular maintenance, setup, and cleanup, ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes.
• Cultural Program Support: Contributed to organizing and facilitating cultural events, including youth programs and festival performances.
• Community Outreach: Participated in philanthropic efforts. 

Vision for the Temple

If elected, my focus will be on preserving tradition while improving inclusivity and transparency. My vision includes:

• Youth Engagement: Expand structured programs for children and youth, including Vedic chanting, cultural activities, and volunteer involvement to foster ownership among the next generation.
• Operational Transparency: Introduce clear communication and reporting mechanisms for financial, ritual, and event activities, ensuring accountability to the community.
• Volunteer Infrastructure: Develop a more organized volunteer structure with defined roles, onboarding, and recognition systems to better support temple events and operations.
• Technology Upgrades: Implement simple digital tools for event sign-ups, donor tracking, and communication to enhance coordination and outreach.
• Religious Continuity: Support our priests and ritual teams with the tools and resources they need to continue high-quality, traditional worship while planning for long-term sustainability.

Vision for the Temple (2025 – 2028)

Spiritual Excellence Initiative

Action Items --24-Month Goal

Ritual Academy
• Weekly workshops on puja vidhi, Vedic chanting for teens
• Mentorship under priests
50 students certified in basic rituals
Daily Livestream & Archive
• Upgrade cameras & bandwidth
• Index videos by deity & festival
1,000 online followers; 200-video library

Youth & Education

Gurukulam 2.0 – integrate language (Tamil/Telugu/Hindi/ Kannada), arts, and dharmic ethics; add scholarship pathway for college-bound volunteers.
STEM-Seva Fusion – partner with local schools: students earn service hours by building tech (IoT bell sensors, greenhouse for tulasi cultivation).
Volunteer & Member Engagement
Volunteer Ladder – clear progression (Helper → Lead → Coordinator) with training modules and recognition certificates.
Digital Engagement Suite – mobile app for darshan slots, donations, event RSVPs.
Sustainability & Infrastructure
Solar Roof Feasibility Study – target 30 % energy offset by 2028.
Phase-2 Expansion Plan – multi-purpose hall + classrooms; funding model: 60 % pledges, 40 % grants/loans.

Sweta Ranjan

Sudheer Lanka

Specific Contributions to the Temple

Will visit Temple at least once in a month and definitely will on special days and will help on what ever way possible. If food is provided , has been sort of serving and cooking in the morning as a part of TSN committee. Also donating a fixed amount of money every month.

Your Vision for the Temple

Would love to see our temple doing great activities at least once in every month. Will motivate teenage and youth to serve temple so that next generation will take care of temple for long time.

Venkat Marichamy

My Contributions to the Temple

I believe in the principle of Nishkama Karma (selfless action) and have actively participated in temple activities such as:

• Assisting in festival preparations (Kavadi, Soorasamharam, Shri Venkateshwara thirukalyanam)
• Volunteering in temple Annual Aradhana events ( Thiyagaraja aradhana, puradharadasa, Annamaya)
• One of the core team members in Kavadi, Soorasamharam preparations
• One of the core members of Kavadi assembling from day 1
• Helping with audio setup for all regional community events on behalf of temple
• Led audio team during 2025 Maharudhram event
• Audio team co-chair for 2025
• Worked with Omaha hindu temple in the recent consular camp and helping the community
• Stood with temple in 2024 tornado disaster and helped rebuild the community
• Helping with cleanliness and organization of temple spaces.
• Supporting cultural and religious events by coordinating logistics or volunteering during functions.

My Vision for the Temple

Beyond physical seva, I am eager to contribute my professional skills (e.g., event planning, fundraising, digital marketing, accounting) to help the temple run efficiently and expand its reach.

Leveraging digital platforms (live-streaming prayers, online donation systems, virtual classes) can help engage devotees who cannot visit physically.

The temple should be welcoming to all, including non-Hindus interested in learning about Sanatana Dharma. Initiatives like connecting cultural events, meditation classes, Connect with local doctors - health check for elder people

Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu

Specific Contributions to the Temple:

I came to Omaha in 2010 and since then I have been involved in all the volunteering activities at the Hindu temple and helping the priests during the pooja ceremonies. Ihave been involved in volunteering activities during all major events like Maharudram and chandi homam in 2013, Mahakumbhabhishekam (2015), Sri Sai baba pranaprathistha and kumbhabhisekam (2018) e.t.c. Recently, during Maharudram (2025), I have served on the audio and video committee as a member. Apart from these activities in the major events, I am also part of a volunteer group involved in helpingpriests and distributing prasad during weekly Rudra, Murugan, Navagraha, and Sai Baba abhishekams. I have contributed for the Prabhavali for Lord Venkateswara. I have been involved in capturing pictures and videos of temple devotees and participants of Thyagaraja and Purandaradasar music events organized by the Carnatic Music committee of Omaha. Overall, I am willing to serve our Hindu temple and Omaha community and would like to work hard for our community betterment as an EC member.

Your Vision for the Temple:

My Vision for Hindu temple’s growth is based on spirituality and raising funds to expand our temple beyond. On the spiritual side, I am planning to propose a Vedapaatashala for kids and adults during weekends, with the involvement of temple pandits. My life’s philosophy is “God is everywhere”, so I will take the initiative to build a sunshade roof for the Ganesha in the parking lot. We will extend the cafeteria hours on Friday evening and Saturday evening to improve the funds for the temple. Also, initiatives will be taken to acquire space behind the temple to construct a playground for the kids of temple visitors and patrons. As a part of cultural preservation and community education, I will initiate organizing suprapadam, sahasranamam, rudrum, and hanuman chalisa chanting groups through WhatsApp and will be live telecasted through Temple Facebook. My vision towards our seniors and physically challenged devotees is constructing a RAMP to make their darshan more comfortable.