INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (1) unveiled through video conferencing a Rs 125 commemorative coin in the honour of Srila A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on his 125th birth anniversary.
Modi on the occasion praised Srila Prabhupada’s efforts to share the teachings of Lord Krishna, Bhagavad Gita and Indian culture with the world. Six hundred devotees from more than 60 nations were present.
The prime minister recalled the life of the spiritual leader, who was born near the present-day Kolkata in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on September 1, 1896. He overcame challenges to establish ISKCON in 1966 and opened 108 temples worldwide, which today has gone over to 800. In India, he laid the foundation of 300 centers across the country. He died in Vrindavan in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in 1977 at the age of 81.
A Krishna devotee prays in front of a statue of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Andre Coelho / Getty Images)
Modi thanked ISKCON members after releasing the coin minted by Kolkata’s Alipore Mint for not only spreading the Indian culture worldwide but also taking social initiatives like running the world’s largest vegetarian food relief programme, especially in times of the Covid pandemic wherein the volunteers served more than 25 crore (250 million) meals across the country.
Indian minister of culture and tourism G Kishan Reddy and ISKCON Bureau chairman HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja also addressed the event which marks a year-long celebration to remember and cherish the life and legacy of Srila Prabhupada, India’s spiritual ambassador.
Several events and programs have been planned across the world to commemorate this year. The programmes will include international cultural festivals, conferences, school contests for children and youth besides outdoor activities to take forward the message of peace and goodwill that Srila Prabhupada taught.
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