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Yoga, friends give missing woman's parents solace

Sonia Chopra

Susan Levy had turned to yoga, the Bhagavad Gita and meditation many years ago to find more meaning in her life.

Last week, her yoga friends gathered at her residence near Los Angeles for quiet meditation and prayer. But they also gave her $1,200 towards the $30,000 reward to locate her missing daughter Chandra, who disappeared nearly a month ago from her temporary home in Washington, DC.

"We are so miserable and heartbroken as our daughter means the world to us," Susan Levy said. "Our children are a gift to the world and with her education and drive we had hoped she would contribute to the betterment of our world. Is that not the goal for all of our children and our lives -- to make the world a more loving place?"

Susan Levy, a Jew drawn to Hinduism, has travelled across India. She had been hoping to return to India soon -- with her 24-year-old daughter. She still thinks Chandra will be returned to her safe and sound, and a pilgrimage to India could work out.

Meanwhile, the outpouring of good wishes, thoughts and prayers from people of all faiths and groups have buoyed the spirits of Susan and her husband Robert.

"Lots of love and energy was generated to Chandra from our hearts," she said, referring to the yoga event. "I appreciate all the love and support and prayers from all faiths. May the light of goodness radiate for all prayers to move mountains and miracles to happen."

Neighbours and close family friends hover protectively around the Levys and offer support.

"Chandra is a sweet girl, very sensible, very mature and street-smart," said Rupinder, a close family friend and neighbour who has known the family for a decade. She cannot understand how Chandra could have disappeared all of a sudden.

Rupinder's husband Amarjeet Dhaliwal, an oncologist, works with Robert Levy. Rupinder has led prayers in the gurdwara for Chandra and is distressed about the missing woman.

"Everyone is upset. We wish we could do something. We want to help the family, but nobody can help them enough," she said.

"They just want their daughter to come home. This is the worst thing that can happen to any parent."

Chandra, a 5-foot-3, 110-pound student with thick black curly hair and hazel eyes, has been missing since May 1 from Washington, DC, where she was finishing a six-month internship at the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Chandra was last seen on April 30 at the Washington Sports Club near her apartment in Dupont Circle. She had been preparing to come back home to attend her graduate school commencement ceremony at the University of Southern California to receive her master's degree in public health.

The Washington police found her packed luggage, identification, credit cards and cell phone in her apartment, but her keys were missing. They have no evidence of a crime.

Friends, family, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Gary Condit's office are offering a $30,000 reward for any information leading to Chandra's safe return.

The family has created a Web site, www.findchandra.com and is updating it regularly.

EARLIER REPORT:
'I just want my daughter alive'

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