ISKCON DAIVA VARNASRAMA MINISTRY (IDVM-India) ANNUAL MEETING – December 12-13, 2015

by | Dec 14, 2015 | LatestNews, Meeting

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]The sixth Annual Meeting of the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) was held on 12-13 December 2015 in Hyderabad. The meeting was presided by HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami, Minister for IDVM-India and IDVM-India Director for Education. The other members present were HG Hari Kirtan Das (Director for Village/Rural Development), HG Gour Gopal Das (Director for Communications), HG Ram Laksman Das (Director for IDVM Secretariat at Mayapur), HG Ramasharan Das (Director for Finance), HG Jananivas Das (Director for Varnasrama Media Productions – VMP), HG Sripati Das (Director for Book Publication), HG Shyamasundar Das (Coordinator for Fund Raising Committee), HG Rasa Mandala das and HG Satyamadhava das (Members of Fund Raising Committee).

The meeting was preceded with a Gau Puja to Mother Surabhi at HG Gour Gopal prabhu’s residence to invoke auspiciousness, peace and prosperity in the world. At the meeting venue-residence of HG Shyamasundar Prabhu a beautiful murty of Srila Prabhupada adorned the residence as all the activities of the Ministry are dedicated to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

The Executive Committee Chairman (HG Hari Kirtan das) read out the Agenda for the two-day meeting. Thereafter HH Bhakti Raghava Swami gave the highlights of the year’s activities like the launching of the 12 years Om Sri Surabhi Campaign on January 1, 2015, the India National Farm Conference held at Nilachal Farm near Mumbai, the Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra (a bus Yatra to 108 villages in the States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and W. Bengal to educate the villagers on the significance of cow protection, organic farming, simple living, book and panchagavya products distribution, chanting of holy name, prasadam distribution, etc.), participation in the Gomata BLISS Festival held in Vrindavan during Kartika, etc.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_9843.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]The Yatra to 108 villages is an offering to Srila Prabhupada from the IDVM-India Ministry on the occasion of ISKCON’s 50 years Golden Jubilee celebrations. His Holiness also mentioned about his travel to Sweden, Ukraine, Russia and other countries to introduce the Varnasrama ideology. He also announced the launching of 54 Power Point Presentations covering various aspects of the Ministry’s activities and 54 Documentary Videos covering interviews with Sannyasis, senior devotees and other members within ISKCON all to be presented on our websites weekly beginning Friday, January 1, 2016 as part of the Ministry’s Golden Jubilee offerings.

Maharaja also explained that there is a plan to introduce book stands to exhibit various literatures, pamphlets, Video Documentaries, books and Gau products as part of the Ministry’s endeavor to spread awareness about IDVM-India’s activities.  The efforts being made by IDVM-India in regard to conducting various Varnasrama Courses in Sri Mayapur in collaboration with the Mayapur Institute (MI) and establishing Varnasrama Colleges were also covered.

His Holiness also spoke about IDVM-India’s participation in the upcoming ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS-2016) program in Sri Mayapur to be held from February 24 to March 2, 2016. There was also a discussion on IDVM-India and Sustainable Vaisnava Community (SVC) linkages. He said that the Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra can be extended to more States in India and plans should be made to highlight the benefits of such a Yatra within the ISKCON society and its temples.

Subsequently, the various Ministry Department Heads presented their Annual Reports that were followed by discussions on the future plans to increase our outreach to more villages in India. All the members very well received the report on the on-going Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra and His Holiness said this effort would be most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and we need to replicate this program to more villages with the support of all ISKCON Temples and others interested in such activities.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_9842.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]The Yatra program was widely covered in the local newspapers (over 20 clippings) and aroused good interest. The Yatra committee has been receiving requests for more such programs. His Holiness said IDVM-India’s mission is to demonstrate the viability of such preaching activities to other leaders within ISKCON so that subsequently such programs can be taken-up by individual temples and/or local authorities.  He also suggested the possibility of having a bus for the Ministry dedicated to undertake such preaching programs in the rural areas.

There were also discussions on the Adopt-a-Village (AAV) program and on the new initiative of the Ministry in starting Krishi Gau Raksha Sangas that will be closely linked with the on-going OM Sri Surabhi Campaign inviting one and all to take the Sacred Oath to protect Mother Surabhi. Simultaneously, the Ministry will introduce the Nama Hatta Sanga program in the villages where there is potential.

It is quite evident from the current Yatra that the villages in India, to a great extent, have remained bereft of the holy name and there is an urgent need to take this up. It was decided to introduce follow-up programs after completion of the upcoming ILS-2016 and other meetings scheduled between February-March 2016.

Hari Kirtan Prabhu presented data on the on-going AAV efforts and highlighted the need to have more manpower and resources being allocated for this program. The Ministry will also be introducing the Samskar Patra, the Sacred Oath for officially accepting the Sacred Order of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to chant daily the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra 108 times.

The two Ministry websites have been receiving large viewership after being re-designed and there is a need to make it more up-to-date and highlight all the on-going programs to attract more viewers.

His Holiness stressed the urgent need to identify more manpower for taking up the various activities of the Ministry. Ways and means for this were discussed like advertising and recruiting as many interested devotees for taking up the various services. All the members present expressed their resolve to work on these lines so that the incomplete mission of Srila Prabhupada is taken-up. There is an urgent need to save whatever villages are remaining in India and this can only be achieved by inclusive development– both material and spiritual aspects of a living being.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Aog97UgBtlkwNYk3Hf9j3Ff6BQ8aBrggv6lE5-3vOUyu.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]The two-day meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and a generous applause to our host, HG Shyamasundar Das and family, and to the whole group of devotees involved in various services before and during the meeting.

We should always keep in mind the expressed desires and vision of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, in outlining some of the objectives of the Society:

“So in the beginning if we start a varnasrama college to teach internationally students from all over the world to learn to be educated as brahmanas, as Ksatriyas, as vaisyas, as sudras, by quality and work, that will be the basic principle of Krishna Consciousness….If you kindly consider on this point and the varnasrama college is started, I am sure the chaotic condition of human society will be completely settled up.” Letter to: Tarun Kanti Ghosh Bab, New Delhi 11 March 1974

“The varnasrama system scientifically divides society into four varnas and four asramas, but in varna-sankara society there are no such distinctions, and no one can know who is who. In such a society, no one can distinguish between a brahmana, a ksatriya, a vaisya and a sudra. For peace and happiness in the material world, the varnasrama institution must be introduced. The symptoms of one’s activities must be defined, and one must be educated accordingly. Then spiritual advancement will automatically be possible.”  SB- 7-11-25 purport.

“Srila Prabhupada was most enlivened to hear the report of the New Govardhana Farm. [He] said, “This is the next aspect of Krishi consciousness which I wish to push forward. If I am able to travel again, then I shall visit the farms and make them perfect. On these farms we can demonstrate the full varnasrama system. If these farms become successful, then the whole world will be enveloped by Krishna consciousness.”

“India’s civilization was based on village residence. They would live very peacefully in the villages. In the evening there would be Bhagavata-katha. They will hear. That was Indian culture. They had no artificial way of living, drinking tea, and meat-eating and wine and illicit sex. No. Everyone was religious and satisfied by hearing-what we are just introducing-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Puranas, and live simple life, keeping cows, village life as it is exhibited by Krishna, Vrindavan. Krishna, if He liked, He could have lived in the cities.” Morning walk conversation Durban, 13 Oct 1975

For more information about IDVM-India, please contact Gour Gopal das, IDVM-India Director of Communications at gourgopal.brs@gmail.com

To view more detailed activities about IDVM-India, please visit the two websites dedicated to the varnasrama mission: www.iskconvarnasrama.com and www.srisurabhi.org

Hare Krishna![/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Reported by: Rasa Mandala Das from Hyderabad, India[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

ISKCON DAIVA VARNASRAMA MINISTRY (IDVM-India) ANNUAL MEETING – December 12-13, 2015

by | Dec 14, 2015 | LatestNews

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]The sixth Annual Meeting of the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) was held on 12-13 December 2015 in Hyderabad. The meeting was presided by HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami, Minister for IDVM-India and IDVM-India Director for Education. The other members present were HG Hari Kirtan Das (Director for Village/Rural Development), HG Gour Gopal Das (Director for Communications), HG Ram Laksman Das (Director for IDVM Secretariat at Mayapur), HG Ramasharan Das (Director for Finance), HG Jananivas Das (Director for Varnasrama Media Productions – VMP), HG Sripati Das (Director for Book Publication), HG Shyamasundar Das (Coordinator for Fund Raising Committee), HG Rasa Mandala das and HG Satyamadhava das (Members of Fund Raising Committee).

The meeting was preceded with a Gau Puja to Mother Surabhi at HG Gour Gopal prabhu’s residence to invoke auspiciousness, peace and prosperity in the world. At the meeting venue-residence of HG Shyamasundar Prabhu a beautiful murty of Srila Prabhupada adorned the residence as all the activities of the Ministry are dedicated to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

The Executive Committee Chairman (HG Hari Kirtan das) read out the Agenda for the two-day meeting. Thereafter HH Bhakti Raghava Swami gave the highlights of the year’s activities like the launching of the 12 years Om Sri Surabhi Campaign on January 1, 2015, the India National Farm Conference held at Nilachal Farm near Mumbai, the Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra (a bus Yatra to 108 villages in the States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and W. Bengal to educate the villagers on the significance of cow protection, organic farming, simple living, book and panchagavya products distribution, chanting of holy name, prasadam distribution, etc.), participation in the Gomata BLISS Festival held in Vrindavan during Kartika, etc.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_9843.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]The Yatra to 108 villages is an offering to Srila Prabhupada from the IDVM-India Ministry on the occasion of ISKCON’s 50 years Golden Jubilee celebrations. His Holiness also mentioned about his travel to Sweden, Ukraine, Russia and other countries to introduce the Varnasrama ideology. He also announced the launching of 54 Power Point Presentations covering various aspects of the Ministry’s activities and 54 Documentary Videos covering interviews with Sannyasis, senior devotees and other members within ISKCON all to be presented on our websites weekly beginning Friday, January 1, 2016 as part of the Ministry’s Golden Jubilee offerings.

Maharaja also explained that there is a plan to introduce book stands to exhibit various literatures, pamphlets, Video Documentaries, books and Gau products as part of the Ministry’s endeavor to spread awareness about IDVM-India’s activities.  The efforts being made by IDVM-India in regard to conducting various Varnasrama Courses in Sri Mayapur in collaboration with the Mayapur Institute (MI) and establishing Varnasrama Colleges were also covered.

His Holiness also spoke about IDVM-India’s participation in the upcoming ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS-2016) program in Sri Mayapur to be held from February 24 to March 2, 2016. There was also a discussion on IDVM-India and Sustainable Vaisnava Community (SVC) linkages. He said that the Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra can be extended to more States in India and plans should be made to highlight the benefits of such a Yatra within the ISKCON society and its temples.

Subsequently, the various Ministry Department Heads presented their Annual Reports that were followed by discussions on the future plans to increase our outreach to more villages in India. All the members very well received the report on the on-going Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra and His Holiness said this effort would be most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and we need to replicate this program to more villages with the support of all ISKCON Temples and others interested in such activities.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_9842.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]The Yatra program was widely covered in the local newspapers (over 20 clippings) and aroused good interest. The Yatra committee has been receiving requests for more such programs. His Holiness said IDVM-India’s mission is to demonstrate the viability of such preaching activities to other leaders within ISKCON so that subsequently such programs can be taken-up by individual temples and/or local authorities.  He also suggested the possibility of having a bus for the Ministry dedicated to undertake such preaching programs in the rural areas.

There were also discussions on the Adopt-a-Village (AAV) program and on the new initiative of the Ministry in starting Krishi Gau Raksha Sangas that will be closely linked with the on-going OM Sri Surabhi Campaign inviting one and all to take the Sacred Oath to protect Mother Surabhi. Simultaneously, the Ministry will introduce the Nama Hatta Sanga program in the villages where there is potential.

It is quite evident from the current Yatra that the villages in India, to a great extent, have remained bereft of the holy name and there is an urgent need to take this up. It was decided to introduce follow-up programs after completion of the upcoming ILS-2016 and other meetings scheduled between February-March 2016.

Hari Kirtan Prabhu presented data on the on-going AAV efforts and highlighted the need to have more manpower and resources being allocated for this program. The Ministry will also be introducing the Samskar Patra, the Sacred Oath for officially accepting the Sacred Order of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to chant daily the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra 108 times.

The two Ministry websites have been receiving large viewership after being re-designed and there is a need to make it more up-to-date and highlight all the on-going programs to attract more viewers.

His Holiness stressed the urgent need to identify more manpower for taking up the various activities of the Ministry. Ways and means for this were discussed like advertising and recruiting as many interested devotees for taking up the various services. All the members present expressed their resolve to work on these lines so that the incomplete mission of Srila Prabhupada is taken-up. There is an urgent need to save whatever villages are remaining in India and this can only be achieved by inclusive development– both material and spiritual aspects of a living being.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Aog97UgBtlkwNYk3Hf9j3Ff6BQ8aBrggv6lE5-3vOUyu.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]The two-day meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and a generous applause to our host, HG Shyamasundar Das and family, and to the whole group of devotees involved in various services before and during the meeting.

We should always keep in mind the expressed desires and vision of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, in outlining some of the objectives of the Society:

“So in the beginning if we start a varnasrama college to teach internationally students from all over the world to learn to be educated as brahmanas, as Ksatriyas, as vaisyas, as sudras, by quality and work, that will be the basic principle of Krishna Consciousness….If you kindly consider on this point and the varnasrama college is started, I am sure the chaotic condition of human society will be completely settled up.” Letter to: Tarun Kanti Ghosh Bab, New Delhi 11 March 1974

“The varnasrama system scientifically divides society into four varnas and four asramas, but in varna-sankara society there are no such distinctions, and no one can know who is who. In such a society, no one can distinguish between a brahmana, a ksatriya, a vaisya and a sudra. For peace and happiness in the material world, the varnasrama institution must be introduced. The symptoms of one’s activities must be defined, and one must be educated accordingly. Then spiritual advancement will automatically be possible.”  SB- 7-11-25 purport.

“Srila Prabhupada was most enlivened to hear the report of the New Govardhana Farm. [He] said, “This is the next aspect of Krishi consciousness which I wish to push forward. If I am able to travel again, then I shall visit the farms and make them perfect. On these farms we can demonstrate the full varnasrama system. If these farms become successful, then the whole world will be enveloped by Krishna consciousness.”

“India’s civilization was based on village residence. They would live very peacefully in the villages. In the evening there would be Bhagavata-katha. They will hear. That was Indian culture. They had no artificial way of living, drinking tea, and meat-eating and wine and illicit sex. No. Everyone was religious and satisfied by hearing-what we are just introducing-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Puranas, and live simple life, keeping cows, village life as it is exhibited by Krishna, Vrindavan. Krishna, if He liked, He could have lived in the cities.” Morning walk conversation Durban, 13 Oct 1975

For more information about IDVM-India, please contact Gour Gopal das, IDVM-India Director of Communications at gourgopal.brs@gmail.com

To view more detailed activities about IDVM-India, please visit the two websites dedicated to the varnasrama mission: www.iskconvarnasrama.com and www.srisurabhi.org

Hare Krishna![/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Reported by: Rasa Mandala Das from Hyderabad, India[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]