OM SRI SURABHYAI NAMAH! OM SRI GURAVE NAMAH!
This is the ninth Quarterly Report summarizing the on-going developments of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign – 2015 to 2027 in our attempt to promote the varnasrama mission. All the previous reports published can be read on our two main websites at www.iskconvarnasrama.com and www.srisurabhi.org. We are just now beginning the third year of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign.
New Publications
Two new titles have been published just before Gaura Purnima 2017, namely My Spiritual Lamentation, a compilation of all the 53 interviews on varnasrama during the Golden Jubilee year of 2016 and Speaking About Varnasrama, a reprint of the original book compiled by HG Hare Krishna Dasi. A good number of copies were handed as complimentary copies to those devotees who were interviewed and a few others as well.
Weekly Interviews Series and Weekly Power Points
Prafulla has volunteered to continue bringing out the weekly Interview Series as well as the weekly Power Points with the help of a team of dedicated devotees. Since the first of the year was a Sunday, we are now publishing these documents every Sunday on our two dedicated websites.
Coordinators Conference in Mayapur
February saw the first Conference for Continental and National Coordinators in Sri Mayapur. Rama Laksman prabhu along with Vishnurata prabhu coordinated the event. Not many devotees attended but those who did appreciated the opportunity to associate together. We plan to have such a yearly gathering in Sri Mayapur around the same time every year to give an opportunity for those more actively involved to physically come together and interact.
Varnasrama Courses in Mayapur
IDVM-India continues to offer varnasrama-based courses in Mayapur in conjunction with the Mayapur Institute. The two courses given covered “Organic Farming” by HG Sanat Kumar prabhu and “Dharma Sastri” by both HG Rama Laksman prabhu and HG Vishnurata prabhu.
Touring Indonesia, Cambodia and Malaysia
Devotees have shown interest to visit some of the rural projects in Indonesia, Cambodia and Malaysia. The director for Go Raksha Indonesia (GAURI), HG Yadhava Hari das will coordinate such tours for those wishing to spend a week visiting these devotee projects. One may contact him by email at yadava.hari24@gmail.com.
Innovative Projects at GNB
- First Hare Krishna Pasraman Opens in Indonesia
Gita Nagari Baru (GNB), a rural project developing on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia since the last 17 years and having a population of over 150 devotees is introducing the Pasraman system of education in keeping with Indonesian Government innovative traditional educational plans. Pasraman is derived from the work “ashram” and closely resembles the traditional Gurukula system still followed in India. A selective number of devotee resident students have taken interest in the courses to be offered by our local devotees headed by Krishna Prema das. A plot of land will also be allocated for establishing what will be known as the Widya Mandala, the equivalent of Pathshala (place of learning) in India.
- Forests of Vrindavan
GNB continues to develop the 12 forests of Vrindavan by opening two new forests, Mahavan and Madhuvan. The first forest dedicated was opened two years ago named Bhadravan. In each forest the devotees have placed an attractive signboard giving a short description of Lord Krishna’s pastimes in that particular forest.
Vedic Eco Village in Saranagati
There are concrete plans to develop what will be known as the “Vedic Eco Village” at the Saranagati Village in Western Canada, a rural community in development since the last 35 years spread on 1,500 acres of land. A small group of devotees connected with Sustainable Eco Alliance (SEA-Inc.), a non-profit organization registered in the USA promoting sustainable living, have acquired 33 acres of land in the south end of the valley with plans to start a Varnasrama College in the month of May. Already devotees from Canada, Indonesia and Cambodia have shown interest to participate. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami will be heading up the project and will also become the resident sannyasi there.
SEA.Inc. Sponsors Cow Sanctuary Opening in the USA
Sustainable Eco Alliance (SEA.Inc.) is working closely with the Shingal family and has officially opened the “Mira Cow Sanctuary and Dharma Training Academy”. HG Balabhadra prabhu, former ISKCON Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture was Guest Speaker at the inauguration along with HG Daiva prabhu from Hawaii, the National Coordinator for the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign. The event was coordinated by Sri Krishna Purusottama prabhu who is the Continental Coordinator in North America for the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign.
Cambodia Development
Devotees in Cambodia have completed acquiring the 108 acres of land to expand the project called Yashodapur Eco Village. Guna Avatara prabhu oversees the development of the project and is presently finalizing a Master Plan for the project. Some 10 families are involved in cultivating the land.
WhatsApp for Fund Raising
A team of devotees continues working on a special App that will be used to inaugurate a global fund raising cum membership drive to assist the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign. Sri Krishna Purusottama prabhu is overseeing the development of this undertaking. Devotees hope to launch the initiative in May or June this year. This will facilitate individuals to easily connect with the campaign and get involved according to their respective positions.