By Anthony Rifilato
Inside however, the floor, where recently several people were preparing to pray, is made of glossy marble and the walls are bright white. In the middle of the room is an almost coliseum-like dome, and beneath it is a large glistening statue of a Hindu deity, Baba, mounted on top of an even greater throne.
It's probably safe to say that many denizens of Baldwin aren't sure what is actually going on in here. Is it a commune for some obscure religious sect, a mosque or a secret organization run by ex-hippies?
The truth is, behind those walls is a non-profit organization run by one of the most prominent cancer specialists in America, Dattatreyudu Nori, M.D.
Nori is professor and chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Cornell University New York Presbyterian Hospital and director of The Cancer Center at New York Hospital in Queens.
Three months ago, Nori opened the center in order to promote community service, health education and a place for meditation and prayer for all people, not just those who are Hindu.
"Usually people [in Baldwin] have a fear that it's a temple," said Nori, wearing a white shirt, slacks, and dress socks (shoes are not permitted inside the center). "It's no burden on the community. I'm doing it to provide a meaningful service."
The center is an extension of the Nori Foundation, which raises money and promotes cancer and health education in other parts of New York City and brings patients and doctors from all over the world to the United States for cancer care and training.
The center will be open on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Starting in November, the Samasthan center will hold a series of lectures on various health-related topics such as cancer and heart disease.
"When we do community lectures, it will be done in conjunction with the local American Cancer Society and local hospitals," Nori said.
The Samasthan center had its opening ceremony on July 4, with a turn out of approximately 400 people from the tri-state area.
"It was packed," said Dr. Parveen Chopra, of Baldwin. "There were so many people that first day."
Chopra said that Baldwin has about 30 Indian families and a large percentage of them are in the medical field. "The Indian community in Baldwin is highly educated," Chopra said.
Nori said that although the center has strong Hindu roots, its main objective is to organize community events.
"This is not only for Indians but for everyone," Nori said. "The main heart of Samasthan is the community."
Nori stressed that prayer and meditation are a part of the center, but that it is not a temple or religious institution.
"Prayer and meditation are not religious activities," Nori said. "The cultural aspect is a small portion of what we do."
Chopra expanded on the nuances.
"The Hindu faith is more spiritual than religious," said Chopra, a retired university professor of business administration. "The association plays a key role because we have a rich cultural life."
Nori said that most who come to the center are accomplished doctors and lawyers, mostly friends of his, who encouraged him to open the center in Baldwin.
A resident of Scarsdale, NY, Nori said he will eventually move to Baldwin within a year to live full-time. Nori was recently named one of the top doctors in the United States and was recognized as a leader in his field by the New England Journal of Medicine and Ladies' Home Journal.
"As a leader in the medical field, it's a win-win situation for the entire community," Nori said.
