OVERVIEW

This preliminary Case for Support describes Hanuman.org, a young people’s online home for stories, games, education, and friendship in a safe environment based on the adventures of the monkey hero Hanuman.

Hanuman.org will be—

· A quality site for young people 6-12 years old

· A popular destination for learning and having fun

· A place to engage in community service projects

· A clubhouse for growing friendships worldwide

Hanuman.org will offer—

· A library of Hanuman-related stories in image and sound

· A catalog of print and non-print resources

· Skills-based games and activities

· A Web store offering quality products and services

Hanuman.org will provide young people with—

· Age-appropriate activities

· Content approved by a panel of experts

· Membership on Hanuman’s monkey team

· Newsletters and letters from fellow teammates

CONTENT

Hanuman.org content will come from four primary sources:

1) Shastra – retellings from Valmiki, Tulsidas, the Puranas, and other authorized sources will explore the universe of Hanuman-related tales.

2) Professional storytellers – Video and audio versions of staged performances will capture the excitement of Hanuman-related programs.

3) The Arts – Painting, sculpture, songs, poems, Hanuman’s world offers an amazing variety of esthetic experiences from many cultures to educate and entertain young people.

4) Children around the world – Bulletin boards, letters, and streaming media will enhance the joy of belonging to an international family of fellow monkey warriors.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

· PROVIDE TANGIBLE BENEFITS TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

In an aggressive and too often shallow world, Hanuman.org will provide an environment of warmth and humanity across all original and acquired content.

· HONOR THE VALUES WHICH HANUMAN EMBODIES.

As the emblem of devotion, Hanuman is more than a superhero. He is a role model for children everywhere, who demonstrates the merits of scholarship, honesty, perseverance, integrity, and dutifulness.

· CREATE SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES.

Good character shows itself in service to others, and Hanuman.org will provide projects through authorized sources in which its young members can participate and support.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

· Form a Steering Committee

· Form an Advisory Board (educators, online experts)

· Identify potential partners and sponsors

· Create a business plan

· Research best web content programmers and designers

· Build and launch a test site

· Promote Hanuman.org to Hindu centers, yoga schools, and educational venues

FIRST STEPS

· Raise $10,000 to develop and construct a test site

For this purpose the title of Founding Sponsor will be given to all who donate $1,001 or $501. Founding Sponsors will be listed on the website. All donors, irrespective of amount, will receive emails, newsletters, and membership.

· For further information, please contact:

Rajesh Tripathi

4686 Frontenac Park Court, Fremont, CA 94538

Tel: (510) 445-1410, Email: rtripathi at hanuman dot org

or

Joshua M. Greene

P.O. Box 311, Old Westbury, NY 11568

Tel: (516) 334-0909, Email: Joshua@strmedia.com

FOUNDING PARTNERS

JOSHUA M. GREENE

Joshua M. Greene is an author, filmmaker, and communications consultant specializing in religion and the peace process. He teaches in the Religion Department of Hofstra University and at Jivamukti Yoga School in New York.

In 1970, Mr. Greene was initiated into bhakti (devotional) practice by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and given the spiritual name Yogesvara Das. He spent thirteen years in Hindu ashrams and returned to New York in 1982 to being his career in media.

Before joining Hofstra University he served as Vice President for Global Affairs at Ruder Finn (an international communications firm) and Director of Programming for Cablevision (the nation’s sixth largest cable provider). He is the author of several bestselling books, is a frequent lecturer, and sits on the boards of the American Jewish Committee, the Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center of Nassau County, and the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media. He lives with his family on Long Island.

RAJESH B. TRIPATHI

Mr. Tripathi, a long-time veteran of engineering startups, is VP of Software Engineering at GoBackTV, a pioneer in the field of digital television delivery. He is managing architecture and design as well as firmware and core software implementation. 

Prior to GoBackTV, he was a software consultant at Com21, where he led low-level software development, leading to the rapid completion of Com21’s popular DOXcontroller CMTS and DOXport 1110-XP cable modem.  Other experience includes engineering management and senior staff positions at a number of startups where he was responsible for technical leadership and direction. 

Mr. Tripathi holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering (BE) from IIT Roorkee, India. He is on the board of the Fremont Hindu Temple and lives with his family in Fremont, California.

SHIVA KUMAR

Shiva Kumar has worked in commercial, broadcast, and corporate filmmaking for the past twenty years.

He was Executive Producer for Cablevision, the nation’s fifth largest cable provider, and teaches production at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Born in New Delhi, Shiva is well known as the former host for the popular U.S. and U.K. program Vision of Asia.

For the past 20 years, Shiva has partnered with Joshua Greene on programs for PBS, The Disney Channel, Discovery Communications, and more than a dozen television networks overseas. Their company, Stories To Remember, has produced more than 1,000 hours of entertainment and documentary programs for broadcast and educational markets. He lives with his family on Long Island.