Prerana in Kuala Lumpur

BY HEMALAN NAMBIAR
April 26-27, KUALA LUMPUR (SAT-SUN) – On the evening of the 26^th and 27^th of April 2008, V.O.I.C.E (Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture and Education), a newly an affiliated arm of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Kuala Lumpur, made its first-time initiative of organizing a dance and drama event called ‘Prerana’ which means inspiration in Sanskrit. This event was held in Tan Sri K.R Soma Auditorium at Wisma Tun Sambanthan. The occasion was publicised widely in the local media as well as several prominent organisations and received overwhelming response. The main purpose of Prerana is to raise funds for undergraduate university and college programs organised by V.O.I.C.E throughout the year which include forums, seminars, intervarsity summits, Xpressions and inter-faith talks. These programs are intended to encourage the development of well-rounded, successful, cultured young leaders with a balanced approach in their material and spiritual life. Besides serving as a fund raising event, Prerana was also used as a platform to introduce VOICE to the public eye.

Images from Mayapur

ISKCON Sannyasi’s Blissful dance

Happy Dolls

BY BIR KRISHNA DAS GOSWAMI

Many years ago Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to mass produce small Gaura Nitai Deities (he called them Happy Dolls) and distribute them on Sankirtan along with his books. He told the devotees that they should include instructions on chanting with the Deities, stating that if they chanted (Pancatattva Mahamantra and Hare Krishna Mahamantra) for the Deities and put some fruit in front of the Deities, then partook of the fruit themselves; they would enjoy great fortune!

Since I heard this instruction from His Divine Grace, I have been meditating on how to fulfill his desire. Recently I contacted devotees in China who manufacture small figurines including Gaura Nitai Deities, and arranged for special packaging for street distribution along with good pricing so that temples and individual devotees could afford to distribute these Deities and make some money on them.

North American Temple Presidents, GBC Meetings

BY CARU DAS

Last weekend May 2 Caru Das journeyed to the NA GBC / Temple President Meetings in New Vrndavan, West Virginia. He landed at the Pittsburgh airport Friday midnight, rented a car, dozed at a rest stop en route and arrived Saturday morning in time for a shower and the start of the meetings.

Romapada Swami gave a keynote talk entitled “Spiritual Economics; Relevance to the Bhagavatam”. He and Devamrta Swami are apparently getting keen response to their preaching on Ecology. As one writer said, “Environmentalism is the new religion.” The relevant files can be downloaded from his web site at http://www.romapadaswami.com/SE.