text:
Sally Parker
Energy and Sustainability Liaison
Making Schools Sustainable with DC Public Schools' Sally Parker
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John Shegerian: Welcome to another edition of Green Is Good. This is the Green Festival Washington D.C. edition of Green Is Good and we are so honored to have with us today Sally Parker. She is the Head of Energy and Sustainability for the D.C. public school system. Welcome to Green Is Good. Sally Parker: Thank you. John Shegerian: Sally, before we get talking about what's going on in the green sector and sustainability at the D.C. public school system, can you share a little bit about your background? How did you come to have this important liaison job in sustainability at D.C. public schools? Sally Parker: I think I took a roundabout way to get here. I picked up a lot of experience along the way. I started in the Marine Corps actually, and I got to see the world and see a lot of different places and how people lived and just what differences you can see. After that, I came back and went to school to be a landscape architect, and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to improve how we treat our land through our construction projects. So that's what led me to go to a Master's program at Virginia Tech in Leadership and Sustainability, because I really wanted to get the tools to figure out how do we bring it all together and be able to have conversations with the right people and determine the right solutions for the problems that we're seeing. So that's the path that I took, and I joined D.C. public schools in January and since then I've been trying to apply those skills. John Shegerian: January of this year? Sally Parker: Oh yes. John Shegerian: Did someone have your position before or is this a brand new position? Sally Parker: Oh yes. John Shegerian: Did someone have your position before or is this a brand new position? Sally Parker: It is a brand new position. John Shegerian: Wow. Sally Parker: So in a way it's great because I get to determine what my day-to-day is. And in other ways it's wildly overwhelming. I am the only person. I once got a piece of advice – "be wary of any job in which you would be the only sustainability officer" – and I ignored that advice. John Shegerian: Of course. Sally Parker: So I'm trying to determine what it will be, and I've already written job descriptions for my future staff so I just need to get funding for them and it will be great. John Shegerian: So getting funding for them. So how does that work as a public servant? Sally Parker: Sure. Well, it's tricky because you really have to show, especially at a time where in D.C. public schools the focus is on teaching and learning…. John Shegerian: Right. Sally Parker: So if you are doing a job that's the background in the central office, you really have to show that there is value in that. John Shegerian: Got you. Sally Parker: And so that's why I'm trying to target some of the biggest initiatives where I can show I can have the most impact, and through that, I will show value for the position and expanding it. John Shegerian: How much of the first six months now is learning, and how much is envisioning? So learning where the voids are and where the opportunities are and envisioning where you can make the greatest impact. How do you balance that? Sally Parker: It's been about 60/40 with learning and envisioning, and it started off where I just met one person and they said, "Oh, you should speak to this person," and I just followed this trail of crumbs of people to learn from and I had a lot of informational interviews. I actually brainstormed before I started the job and thought, "Wouldn't it be great if we could solve food deserts by using schools as hubs?" and it turns out that happens on a small scale. So it has really been a matter of what can we do and then finding out the reality and revising it a little bit. So it's been a back and forth of both envisioning and of the gathering information and finding out what I can. John Shegerian: OK, so no one had your position before you got this position, but does this position exist across the United States? Are there other Sally Parkers or people like you in New York or Chicago or L.A. that you are able to lean on for advice and information? Sally Parker: Absolutely. I have met and hung out with the similar officers in all the other cities. New York City and Chicago. What's funny, though, is a lot of us are one person by themselves, so that network is becoming valuable. For example, Dr. Sharon Jay spent two years in New York City, and she has been really a great champion in getting all of us together to share our resources. However, I'm the first person in this position. It's still kind of a fuzzy industry, however, there are other people in other agencies doing things on behalf of schools, and that's where I've already seen successes that I'm going to try to build on. It's not like it was a wasteland of nothing happening. John Shegerian: Sally, do you cover everything from the air quality that the young kids breathe to the food that they eat in the hot lunch program and everything in between? Or how broad is your call to action and duty? Sally Parker: I don't manage all those things, but I definitely keep touch with all of them. John Shegerian: OK. Sally Parker: We have people that are tasked with doing those things, and so it's really kind of keeping touch with them and maybe find out who I can put them in touch with, and help people partner and help people grow what they are trying to do. John Shegerian: Got you. So you could have influence on all those issues. Sally Parker: Influence is my only weapon. John Shegerian: But it can be very powerful. Sally Parker: Yes. And that's exactly what it is. John Shegerian: That's awesome. Talk a little bit about now you're on the public side, but on the private side there are lots of people that viewers and are listeners that want to become a chief sustainability officer one day or they are now the chief sustainability officer at a company and the first one. What is it like to be a trailblazer, to be the first one, and what advice would you give to our listeners out there that are just starting on their journey in sustainability? Sally Parker: I would go back to the point of influence. People don't understand what sustainability is. If you work for a logging company it means something very different than if you work at an office. So really trying to figure out what it means to your company and how you could provide value is really where it is, and you have to understand that if you want people to help you do your job, you have to get behind what their mission is and you have to expand your umbrella until you are both working towards the same goal, even though they didn't know that was going to happen before they met you. John Shegerian: Right. So now that you've had six months underneath your belt – which is still a very short period, I understand that – what are some of the areas that you think you're going to be able to make the greatest impact, and what are you really excited about the next six months and hopefully the next six years? Sally Parker: Well, when I started the job ,I thought there was no way I would be here longer than two years, and now if I can make a dent in five, I will be thrilled. But I think that energy is the biggest thing. John Shegerian: Really? Sally Parker: Yes. D.C is invested in just really amazing LEED Platinum schools. Dunbar High School is – I think – the highest-rated LEED building in the world right now. But we've still got old buildings. There are 111 schools and the Department of General Services is sort of our landlord and they manage it for us, and the teachers and the students are in the schools consuming the energy, and there is a disconnect in what we could be doing to conserve our energy and to make the most out of those buildings we've invested in, so that is where the communication and influences can play a huge part. Then, we will also have the opportunity to engage those students and let their schools be a learning opportunity and put the cherry on top so they can understand what's being done on their behalf and how we can equip them with an understanding of sustainability as they grow into adulthood and become decision-makers. And energy is – I think – going to be the greatest way to do that. John Shegerian: Are there any green curriculum programs that exist today in the D.C. school system so the kids can say, "I want to learn about climate change" or – as you say – "energy" or "green food" or "green landscaping" or any of these things? Sally Parker: It's interesting. This is something I've been trying to dig into myself. There is something called the "Environmental Literacy Framework" that has been created by the Healthy Schools Act – or has been driven by the Healthy Schools Act – so we're trying to get that into the curriculums and there is a pilot program in four public schools and four charter schools to figure out how we can incorporate those "no child left inside"-type lessons into the curriculum. Now there is also the Next Gen Science Standards, which is approved to be folded into the curriculum in 2014, and so there is actually quite a bit of science-based push to really get that into the curriculum. It's a process. We have 3,500 teachers, so it's a rolling effort to get those latest topics of interest in the curriculum. John Shegerian: We've got Sally Parker with us. She is the Head of Energy and Sustainability as a liaison for the D.C. Public Schools. To learn more about what is going on at D.C. public schools, go to www.dcps.dc.gov. I asked you earlier, Sally, about other people doing what you do across the United States. How about across the world? Do you have people doing what you do in Paris or in London and are you able to lean on them for information that could benefit the great young people in the D.C. public schools system? Sally Parker: I personally have not yet made contact internationally, but there is a great organization that started in a grassroots way called "The Green Schools Alliance," and it was really to help schools communicate with each other and share their successes and failures in what they try to do in schools. It's grown into a nationwide thing. They've been stunned and they're so happy about it and they have started getting international schools joining in the conversation. John Shegerian: Really? Sally Parker: Yes. And so any schools can join the Green Schools Alliance, any school district can join the Green Schools Alliance, and so that is something that I'm trying to push in as a support system for DCPS. John Shegerian: So it's five years from now. Whose program do you want to model after? Who right now in America has had the most experience and has driven the most change in what public school system in the United States? Sally Parker: I think that it would have to be New York City. John Shegerian: New York. Sally Parker: Of course, it's always New York City. But Dr. Sharon Jay did a great job. John Shegerian: Really? OK. Sally Parker: They have 1,800 schools and 1,300 buildings. John Shegerian: Wow. Sally Parker: And so it really puts into perspective what you can accomplish when you can try to push your purchasing power and push your impact on the students. John Shegerian: DCPS. Who do they partner with for sustainability right now? Do you have some great partners that you want to talk about while we're visiting today? Sally Parker: Well, the Department of General Services – those are the landlords of the buildings. John Shegerian: Yeah. Sally Parker: And they run the recycling program. They have got a contract to put 10 megawatts of solar panels on top of government buildings. John Shegerian: Wow. Sally Parker: And 60 percent of that are schools. Across the board, DGS is trying to get a lot of stuff done. There is also the District Department of the Environment, who are very interested in promoting sustainability. They've been tasked with that. Then, there are a lot of nonprofits. There are D.C. Greens, and there are a lot of nonprofits that are focused on school gardens and school nutrition and really getting on board with that. So the list is an extremely long list. And it has helped me. I would not be able to do a single thing without any of the partners that I've met so far. John Shegerian: Talk a little bit about the first six months in terms of your colleagues and the welcome mat. Warm embrace? Quiet skepticism? What's going on in the real world right now when people like you come in and are seen as potentially disruptors? Sally Parker: Well, my sustainability peers in other agencies – open arms. "Thank god you're here." There is a lot of that going on. John Shegerian: That's great. Sally Parker: And then within the DCPS agency, I sit in the central office, so it's all office support for the schools. Everyone has been polite and wonderful, and everyone I've met I've been really overcome by how professional and driven and innovative people are in their particular roles. But as far as when I say "sustainability," what that means to them, that's where I have a job to do to help them understand what it means to every office – to the office of teaching and learning and to the office of operations – and that's where my challenge is going to be is helping people understand what my job means to support their job. John Shegerian: Wow. Got you. How about from the students' perspective? Do they even know about this new role, and they know about the greening of their schools yet or making their schools more sustainable, or that hasn't happened yet? Sally Parker: I think that that's where we have a huge opportunity for improvement is to take all these things happening in the background that students don't know about and really use it as a learning tool for them. I don't think that that connection is there yet, the engagement. The biggest thing they see is recycling. It is in every school, and by the end of 2016, a compost collection will be in every school as well for all the food waste as we try to get them to like kale in some way. So there are a lot of problems around that so trying to work those systems together. But recycling is something that they get to do every day. They get to be involved. John Shegerian: Very tangible. Sally Parker: Yes. John Shegerian: What kind of recycling are they doing right now? Sally Parker: They do comingled, they do paper and cardboard and then they have – I think – there was a pilot program of eight schools, and I think now there is organics compost collection in maybe 40 schools. So they'll get to the rest of the schools within the next year. John Shegerian: So composting is coming quickly. Sally Parker: Yes. And some schools have school gardens that they have their own onsite composting for the purposes of the garden. John Shegerian: Wow. Sally Parker: This is a bigger organics collection where it will actually be collected and hauled away. We're trying to find where to put it. We might use it in the digester for energy production or it might go into fertilizer. John Shegerian: How about in your own personal life? Talk a little bit about the greening of your own life. How does that work? Sally Parker: I eat a lot less meat than I used to. John Shegerian: Really? Sally Parker: Yes. That is – I think – the biggest single thing that consumers can do in their own lives is to eat less meat and eat more vegetables. Instead of feeding those animals vegetables to feed us, I think you can just cut out that drive. I don't cut everything out I just eat less of it. John Shegerian: Right. Sally Parker: And it's hard, and I would say that consumers can put their money where their mouth is. And it's not just on environmental things; it's on social issues too. Support benefit corporations. Spend your money on products and services that you feel support your ideals and goals. John Shegerian: Got you. That makes sense. That's really good. Final thoughts on the future ahead for the D.C. public schools system before we have to say goodbye? Sally Parker: I think it's really exciting. They've had a major overhaul – the school district – over the last I'd say 10 years and I'm getting to come in and ride the sails on that. So it's pretty great. John Shegerian: And I think also make a lot of change so that's really great. Well, thank you, Sally Parker. To learn more about what Sally and her colleagues are doing at the D.C. public schools system please go to www.dcps.dc.gov. Sally Parker, making the world a better place at the D.C. public schools system. You are truly living proof that Green Is Good.
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Brunswick Taps FB, Google PR Alum Frost
Mon., Sep. 21, 2020
Debbie Frost
Brunswick Group has added Debbie Frost as a senior advisor in its San Francisco office to counsel technology companies in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Frost did an 11-year stint at Facebook, exiting in 2019 as VP of international and policy communications and a member of the executive leadership team.
During a four-year run as international communications head at Google, she helped launch AdWords and Gmail and led media strategy for legal, policy and other corporate issues, including the launch of Google in China.
Earlier, Frost handled European communications at Nike and began her career at Burson-Marsteller.
At Brunswick, she will focus on communications, corporate reputation and PA strategies in areas such as privacy, data protection and global regulatory matters.
Ash Spiegelberg, Brunswick SF head, called Frost "one of Silicon Valley's most respected communications leaders" and expects her experience will "be of huge value to our technology clients at every stage of their lifecycle."
Category: Technology PR
Return to Sep. 21, 2020 News

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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It has been a while since I made an entry, sometimes I get very busy with everything going on and I neglect to post. Business is steady and I continue to look for bargains and items I think my customers may be looking for. We still have a few AR pistols available, as well as some high demand items like the KelTec PMR-30 and CMR-30.
I am excited to introduce CobraTech Out The Front (OTF) knives to our lineup. I ordered a variety of sizes and blade configurations to assess the demand. They carry many different finishes and configurations, and I hope to become a direct dealer for their products. I have set up a page for these products (under the "Accessories" tab) that has some videos and a link to their web site.
Be sure to keep us in mind for that special order or internet transfer. I will do my best to give you a competitive out the door price, and will assist with the purchase process even if you do not buy from me.
It is hard to believe that 2018 is already half over. The year is going by fast but the firearms industry is moving slowly. It has been a slow 6 months in terms of sales, probably the slowest I have experienced since I opened. Even so, I keep looking for new and exciting products for my customers.I recently received a IWB holster from Concealment Express for review. Initial impression is it looks well built, I will be trying it out with my M&P Shield in the next week or so to see how it feels. My standard IWB right now is from Alien Gear Holsters but I always try to keep my eyes open. Another addition, following a customer request, was to establish a dealer account with Alexander Arms. They offer some unique firearms that can be customized at the factory, I will be poking around their site looking at the goodies. Currently their offerings will be special order ONLY so you can get exactly what you want.
Are you dreaming of something specific or see some products that you may think would be a good fit here at KMM drop me a line and let me know.
Everyone have a happy and SAFE 4th of July!!
Well, the Democrats are at it again, the 2018 Assault Weapons Ban has been introduced in Congress. Unable to understand the idea that assault is an action, generally performed by an individual intent on inflicting harm, they once again go after the inanimate object instead of addressing the real problem. They are not only going after rifles, but pistols and shotguns too. If your pistol magazine holds more that 10 rounds or if it has a threaded barrel they are considered "assault weapons" and will be banned. Contact your Representatives and urge them NOT to support this legislation.
Another year is coming to a close very quickly, and Thanksgiving has come and gone for 2017. For the After Thanksgiving Sale, all in stock ammunition goes with no sales tax, a 5.5% savings. Sale will run from today (24 Nov 17) through next Saturday (2 Dec 17). Swing by and pick up some stocking stuffers! Also reduced for clearance is all specialty ammo on hand. Hope to see you soon!
Keep the Bang in July!
Now through the July 31st, ALL in stock ammunition is 5% off. Hurry and stock up now!
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. We made it a nice 4 day and relaxed as well as worked on some household chores. I spent part of the 4th going through the store and reduced prices on many of the firearms. Over the next few days I will be looking at the ammo prices as well. Browse the web pages and see if your next toy is a little less expensive today!
I would like to thank all those that came out and supported my 5% off sale this week. I would have liked to see more of my friends stop by, I appreciate everyone who did. Stay tuned to the web page for inventory updates and individual items being put on clearance.
It has been a while since I have posted here, things have been busy and now the holidays are upon us. It seems like 2016 has whizzed by. I would like to wish all my friends near and far a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time of celebration with family and friends, and take a moment to give thanks for all of our blessings.
Once all the Turkey and pie have been put away, the traditional biggest shopping day of the year is upon us. Keel Mountain Munitions will be having some special offers available only on Nov 25th. All ammunition and accessories will be on sale, and I have some .22 LR ammunition priced at cost to show how much I appreciate my customers. I will consider all reasonable offers on in stock firearms, and every firearm sold comes with a free box of ammunition. Special offers are limited to stock on hand and are valid in store only Operating hours for Nov 25th will be from 9 am to 7 pm. Come early for the best selection.
Things have been running a little slow during the past month, so I thought I would spice things up a bit with some price cuts! Take a look and see if your next treasure had a price reduction today.
Time to get some inventory moving to make room for more goodies. Prices have been reduced on most firearms in stock. Take a few minutes and see if your next "gotta have it" has a new price.


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Dr. Franco works with the newly innovative Bite Lock concept that gives patients fully functioning teeth with dental implants, and is performed in a single procedure. Over the past 10 years, tremendous advances have been made in the field of dentistry. One of the most exciting innovations is fixed replacement teeth in a single day. Our Irving oral and maxillofacial surgeon leads the way in modern implant dentistry with Bite Lock and Bite Lock 2. Dental implants placed in the jawbone secure custom-made, permanent replacement teeth. We perform this state-of-the-art technique in one day to give patients life-changing, worry-free smiles. With Bite Lock, you can eat what you want, smile confidently, and throw away the denture paste!


On my first windy session, I was super nervous again, with the main worry being how hard the crashes would be and would I get destroyed in the 25 knot+ gusts. Using the 7m Evo on the standard 24m 4 line bar, I planned to take the first run pretty easy. Popping straight onto the foil, all my nerves were soon gone as it felt exactly the same as riding on the 13m in super light wind. Foiling is just so amazing as you are flying above the chop and don't have any of the trouble you get riding a race board in 25 knts.
Leave the back footstrap off, wear a helmet and impact jacket/buoyancy aid.
For first 10 or so runs concentrate on keeping the board on the water while bringing the power on in the kite. Then when you are able to go along powered with the board staying on the water, slowly start to come onto the foil using back leg pressure.
Make small adjustments with the bar to keep the power constant.
Try and stay over the foil at all times.
Keep the runs to a max of 500m once you start flying. Otherwise you will be miles upwind!
Keep at it. You are looking at between 1-10 hours before you stop crashing and are able to make long runs staying on the foil the whole way.
Kite Foiling takes a lot of work before you start to feel comfortable on all points of sail and you have to really persevere with the tacks and gybes but it is so worth it. I would recommend everyone to get out there and get a foil and you will never be bored on those non perfect days again.


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WASHINGTON, February 15, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $66 million to support 407 projects that will strengthen the nation's infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, threat mitigation, and safeguard the nursery production system. USDA provides funding for these projects under the authority of the Plant Protection Act's Section 7721. Universities, States, Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, non-profits, and Tribal organizations located in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands will carry out the projects.
Palms: $581,721 for pest survey and management in 7 states.
In addition to these allocations, USDA is reserving $3,810,245 to support rapid response during invasive pest emergencies should a pest of high economic consequence, such as Asian gypsy moth, European cherry fruit fly, coconut rhinoceros beetle, exotic fruit flies, or spotted lanternfly be detected anywhere in the United States or U.S. Territories.
The public can help protect America's agricultural and natural resources by being aware of invasive pests and the damage they cause. APHIS created the Hungry Pests public outreach program to empower Americans with the knowledge they need to leave these "hungry pests" behind. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/pestsdiseases/hungrypests to learn more about invasive plant pests and diseases impacting your area and how you can help. And, join the discussion about invasive plant pests via the Hungry Pests Facebook and Twitter pages.


text:
package net.twasi.core.graphql;

public class GraphQLPaginationResolver {

    public static String resolve(String definitions) {
        String[] parts = definitions.split("pageable type ");
        StringBuilder schema = new StringBuilder(definitions.replace("pageable type ", "type "));
        for (int i = 1; i < parts.length; i++) {
            schema.append(getPaginationTypeDefinition(parts[i].split("\\s+|\\{")[0]));
        }
        return schema.append("\n").toString();
    }

    public static String getPaginationTypeDefinition(String type) {
        return "\n\ntype %TYPE%Pageable { pages: Long, total: Long, itemsPerPage: Long, content(page: Int): [%TYPE%] }".replace("%TYPE%", type);
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


KEY CONCEPT: Counting and Addition.
DESCRIPTION FROM THE PUBLISHER: From the award-winning Kes Gray and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field, comes an hilarious counting picture book about our four-legged – and two-legged and eight-legged – friends! How many legs would there be if a polar bear came for tea? How high would the leg count go if a squid rode in on a buffalo? As more and more animals join in the fun, count along if you can!


The Sri Vidya tradition dates back thousands of years. The first yogi was Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati is representative of the Divine Mother principle, the universal creative force. The lineage of masters trace their origin to the Universal Mother. The Guru Lineage starts with Lord Shiva who gave the knowledge of Sri Vidya to Lord Dattatreya. Lord Dattatreya is revered as the Adi-Guru (First Teacher) of the Adinath Sampradaya of the Nathas, the first "Lord of Yoga" with mastery of Tantra (techniques). To this monastic movement belongs Srilasri Swaprakasananda Theertha Avadhootha, who initiated Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswathi. Guru Sri Karunamaya was initiated by Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswathi.
Surrender to your Guru like clay in the hands of a potter, unmindful of the outcome.
Fondly known to his disciples as Gurugarau, Srilasri Swaprakasananda theertha avadhootha was born in 1915 in a small village, Vidurbarthi in Andhra Pradesh. Hailing from the Dattatreya lineage, Sri Swaprakasananda had not received any formal education, yet with the Mother's Blessings, has vast knowledge of the Vedas and Sastras and is well versed in Sanskrit.
Sri Gurugaru came in contact with some of India's finest spiritual gurus during his twentieth year. He received Dhiksha from Sri Poornananda Yogi, a disciple of the tibetian guru, Maru Maharishi. He was introduced to SriVidya upasana by Sri Kesari Kameswara Rao of the Madhvacharya sampradaya. In his 32nd year, Sri Gurugaru received Dhiksha in the mahavidyas of Sri Rajarajeswari, Vanadurga and Saptasathi Chandi. He attained Poorna dhiksha fromSri Gnanananda Saraswathi of Anakapalli.
He travelled the length and breadth of India to enhance his spiritual knowledge. By the time he was 40 years old, he had mastered the 64 tantras, from Orissa and Rajamandri. At 43, he had learnt 70 million mantras from the teachings of 18 peetams and many gurus. He spent a few years in Kasi contemplating and analysing the source of the mantras he had learnt. He was greatly aided by Sri Dakshinamurthi Paramahamsa of Lalithanagar, Vishakapatnam.
In addition to the siddhis he had already received, he became a vedic scholar at the age of 58 with the grace of Chintamani Mahavidyeswari.
By 1980, in his 65th year, Sri Gurugaru felt the urge to renounce the material world and take up sanyas. To this end, he travelled to the Sri Bhadrakali Mahapeetam at Haridhwar's Saptarishi sarovar. Sanyasa dhiksha was showered on him by Srilasri Kalyanananda Bharathi theertha Maharaj. Years later, with his Guru's blessings, Sri Gurugaru took up the Avadhootha Ashrama.
Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswathi was born in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, the first child of Sri Narasimha Rao and Srimati Lakshminarasamma. Guruji, as he is fondly referred to, started his spiritual quest at a very young age. Blessed with divine experiences early in his childhood,his young mind was teeming with questions, searching for the truth. The stage was set for his spiritual inclination that was to intensify later in life.
In the meantime, in 1977, Guruji visited the Balaji temple in Hydarabad. He went in and prostrated before the Lord. He felt an extreme thrill pass through his body; and Guruji had his first intitiation from Balaji, that is Balatripurasundari. This proved to be the turning point in his life. After deep thought, he decided to look into the spiritual aspects a little deeper and devote time to work for the upliftment of soceity. He received Sri Vidya Poorna Dhiksha from Sri Swaprakashananda Natha Thirtha Avadhutha of Anakapalli. And he was showered with the Grace of Devi Saraswathi and given the dhiksha name of Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswathi.
Involved in defense research at TIFR, his mind was in search of the truth within himself. It was at this juncture that he was offered a position of Professor of Physics at the Lusaka University in Zambia. Realising that this was an opportunity to take a fresh look at one's self, he accepted a two year contract to work in Zambia.
Guruji returned to India in 1981. He resigned from TIFR and settled down in Vishakapatnam, into Sri Vidya upasana and worship of the Devi. He slowly started working on means to help improve the standard of living of his fellow men.
In the vicinity of the donated land, there was a small hillock where Guruji would often spend time in meditation. On the slopes of the hillock, he noticed a formation very similar to that of the Kamakhya Peetam in Assam. One day, while in meditation he experienced himself lying on the Peetam, while four others were performing a homam with the flames emanating from his body. And during purnahuthi, he felt a heavy object being placed on his heart. Awakening from his meditative state, Guruji was prompted to dig that site. Unearthed from that very spot, he found a Sri Chakra MahaMeru made of panchaloha. It was later discovered that a huge yaaga had been performed in that area more than 250 years ago.
Guruji had visions of the Devi as a sixteen year old girl. With Her Blessing's, he built the Kamakhya Peetam on the hillock and a Siva temple on the peak, in 1984. Construction of the Sri Meru Nilaya in Devipuram was started in 1985. Built covering an area of 108 square feet, the temple has 3 levels and stands 54 feet tall. The temple has the idols of all the Devis described in the Devi Khadgamala Stotra. The temple construction was completed in 1994 and the kumbhabhishekam celebrated with great pomp and piety. This temple is unique in allowing the devotees to perform puja to the Devi themselves, without distinction of caste or creed.
With numerous loving disciples all over the world, Guruji and his wife, Srimati Annapurnamba (lovingly known as Guruji Amma) have dedicated their lives to the service of the people. They established the Sri Vidya Trust for this purpose. Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati attained maha samadhi in 2015.
Soundarya Lahari is focused on the youth, helping them acquire positive attitudes, a dynamic nature, and improved communication skills thereby helping them become good and responsible citizens. The curriculum is designed to generate a happy and value-based life. The workshops are designed to blend spirituality with practical living.