Assam Governor Lays the Foundation of ISKCON Temple
Guwahati, Assam: On March 11, 2010, the auspicious day of Papamochani (“freedom from sins”) Ekadasi, the Governor of Assam, Shri Janakivallabh Patnaik, laid the foundation of ISKCON's Jagannatha temple at Jaynagar Charali Beltola. The land was donated to ISKCON by Shantidevi Kamikya Prasad Sharma.
ISKCON Scholar inspires Change in Indian Education
A recent lecture tour of India by ISKCON scholar Radhika Ramana Dasa (Dr. Ravi Gupta) could have sparked the impetus to introduce religious studies in Indian university level education something the country has always shied away from while at the same time inspiring Indian students to take a deeper look at their ancient spiritual culture.
During the three-week lecture tour from December 20 through January 14 Radhika Ramana visited forty-two educational institutions, governmental organizations and private corporations in nine cities, speaking to over 5,000 people.
But Radhika Ramana says that once the tour, organized by ISKCON Chowpatty devotees, was underway, he realized that such inspiration could go as far as sparking a change in the Indian educational system.
“The debate about introducing religious education in schools is going on at all levels, including the University level, in India,” he explains. “Although historically it’s one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world, the fear is that such academic study might compromise India’s secularism.”
Ratha-yatras at ISKCON Ahmedabad
On March 19 and 20, 2010, ISKCON Ahmedabad organized Ratha-yatras in different parts of Ahmedabad on both days. Shri Lavleshbhai, a trustee of the Ranchodji temple, along with other temple trustees inaugurated the Ratha procession by sweeping the road in-front of the Ratha, following the ancient tradition at Jagannatha Puri.
ISKCON devotees from Russia, Ukraine and the USA joined with ISKCON devotees from various cities of Gujarat.
Contributed by Basu Ghosa Dasa and Madhava Smullen.