Comunist minister inaugurated Iskcon food for life

[Guest guest]

Mass Prasadam Distribution in Kolkata on New Year's Day -

Inaugurated by West Bengal's Youth and Sports Minister, Mr. Subash

Chakravarty:

 

A massive prasadam distribution program was launched by ISKCON Kolkata

on January 1, 2004, at Shealda station, one of the busiest places in

Kolkata. The Railway Department allowed us to use the whole parking lot in

front of the station. Devotees of our Kolkata congregation had prepared a

nice pandal, and many devotees gathered to cook and distribute Krsna's Mercy

to everyone.

 

The program started at 10 AM with guru-puja offered to Srila Prabhupada and

chanting of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra. HH Bhakti Caru Maharaja was

personally present to make sure that all arrangements were done properly.

West Bengal's Minister for Youth & Sports, Subhash Chakravarty, reached the

place around 11 AM as scheduled. He was greeted by devotees ecstatically

chanting Hare Krishna, while His Holines Bhakti Caru Maharaja and Bhakti

Purusottama Maharaja offered him garlands. On entering the stage, the

Hon'ble Minister in turn offered garlands to Srila Prabhupada, and arotik to

Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. The Minister, in spite of a throat problem that made it

difficult for him, spoke for about 15 min. Here are parts of his speech:

 

"First of all, I offer my respect to Srila Prabhupada and his

followers. I am very pleased to be present here on this first day of the new

year, where ISKCON has arranged this most wonderful program of food

distribution. I am very much impressed by this . Whether Hindu or Muslim or

Christian or Buddhist , everyone needs food, cloths, a house, and medicine.

Wherever one may stay, whether in Kolkata or England or America, every one

needs these things for their survival. This food distribution is one of

these best programs, and a very enjoyable program.

 

I have heard that ISKCON was distributing food in Shealda. But today, on

this New Year's Day, they have arranged a huge prasadam distribution

program. I thank and glorify ISKCON from the core of my heart for organizing

this great program.

 

Many may think that ISKCON is very much a religious society, so why did I

come here to a program organized by a religious society? Including

newspapers, many people will have many questions. Fact is that I do not

hesitate to go anywhere in order to search for light to dispel the darkness.

It is not only for myself that I have dared to come, it is a must for

everybody to search for the Absolute Truth. This mentality has to be

developed. Not only today, but from my childhood I have always had great

respect for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If any great personality has taken

birth in Western India, that is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is the first

among all great personalities. In the whole world Sri Caitanya and

Nityananda Mahaprabhus are famous for bringing revolution to the masses.

They are the personification of public revolution; they are the fathers of

"Gana Andalan" (public uprising). They faced Jagai and Madhai to protect the

public from their atrocities.

 

Science has developed a lot and done miracles. But in spite of all

this, still human beings need mental peace, mental satisfaction. Everyone

has their own independence. We can not force anyone, we have to respect each

others' sentiments.

 

....

 

Such a big function, where food distribution will go on for many hours,

so nice arrangements have been made for people to take food peacefully.

That's why I would like to thank ISKCON, and my good wishes to them.

 

I would like to mention that some 10 years ago one of my friends had

enrolled me as a Life Member of ISKCON. So I am a life member of ISKCON,

but unfortunately I had lost my Life Membership card. I am not unhappy for

this, because when I visited ISKCON's temple in London, though I had no

Life Membership card and did not identify myself as Minister, still I was

treated very nicely in their London temple. I did not face any problems

and took nice prasadam.

 

I am very happy to have come to this function, even though I am

suffering from a severe cold. I have throat problems and pressing

government responsibilities, that's why I can not spend much time here,

please excuse me. I am again offering my respects to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

and taking leave from you all. Thank you very much. "

 

After the Minister's speech, HH Bhakti Caru Maharaja took the stage,

explaining about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and His greatest contribution to

the world: the Hare Krsna Mahamantra. Maharaja thanked the Hon'ble Minister

for his effort to come here and deliver such a nice speech, glorifying Lord

Caitanya, in spite of his health problems.

 

Next Bhakti Purusottama Swami gave a vote of thanks and offered a

nice calendar to the Minister, who was happy to receive such a nice gift,

published by the BBT in UK.

 

HH Bhakti Caru Maharaja took the Hon'ble Minister to visit the kitchen.

Mr. Chakravarty was amazed to see the huge cooking arrangements and

found the prasadam delicious. He took some for his family, too.

 

The Minister started prasadam distribution by personally serving the

assembled people for some time, then took his leave, while thousands

received hot kichuri and tasty sabji.

 

The main organizer of this prasadam distribution program is Sriman

Satyaraj Das, one of the life membership preachers of ISKCON Kolkata. He

said that prasadam for 10,000 people had been prepared. This program will

continue until today evening.

 

ISKCON Food for Life ki jay!