OM SRI SURABHI CAMPAIGN QUARTERLY REPORT
July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016
OM SRI SURABHYAI NAMAH! OM SRI GURAVE NAMAH!
This is the seventh 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 reports are published and can be read on our main website at www.srisurabhi.org
CAMPAIGNERS KIT
The OM Sri Surabhi Campaigner’s Kit is meant to serve as a tool for those who are presently or plan to be actively involved in promoting the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign. Various multi-media material has been brought together on a pen-drive (at present 20 GB) to facilitate one who is contemplating taking up the role of Campaign Coordinator at either the Continental, National, State, right down to the village level. In the OM Sri Surabhi Campaigner’s Kit one will find the following material: 1) Videos, 2) Power Points, 3) Samskar Patra Proforma, 4) Sacred Oath to Mother Surabhi, 5) Sacred Prayer to Mother Surabhi, 6) Nama Hatta Sanga Application Form, 7) Krishi Go Rakshya Sanga Application Form, 8) List of Current Surabhi Campaign Coordinators, 9) Pamphlets, 10) Reference Books.
TOURS IN JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2016
JULY * CANADA
During the month of July we visited farms in both Ontario and Quebec. Along with a few devotees from the newly established Ottawa Farm project, including His Grace Kala das from Western Canada, we visited the farm operated by Fil and Sukhayanti, the farm operated by Arjuna das and the farm operated by Kala prabhu’s relatives. Details of those visits have been published on our website at www.srisurabhi.org. We also visited the three farms in the Province of Quebec, two operated by Veda Vyasa das and one garden overseen by Etienne at the “Art of Living” center.
AUGUST * UKRAINE
Mother Farm in Ukraine, August 26-29, 2016
Mother Farm is headed by Yamuna Prana prabhu who not only looks after this farm in Ukraine but an even larger farm in Russia. He has mostly been specializing on developing various milk products with the help of local farmers who supply him with pure milk. The small factory unit that he has set up produces cheese, yogurt, ghee and butter that are afterwards sold on the market. In addition to dairy products, Yamuna Prana prabhu is also having a full time teamster to train young bulls in pulling the cart.
Bhakti Sangam Festival in Ukraine, August 29-31, 2016
This year an estimated 5,000 devotees attended the Bhakti Sangam Festival. The special feature of the event was a daily Go Puja and Go Seva to the young bull Nandi that travelled all the way from the Mother Farm to the campsite. Daily, Nandi enlivened the devotes who visited him as he provided
them with an opportunity to serve him in different ways such as feeding grass or fruits, brushing or patting him. Nandi was the special attraction for children especially as they spontaneously surrounded him and touched him seeing his mild and friendly nature. We also gave daily discourse on the importance of varnasrama development.
Montreal Golden Jubilee Event, September 2 to 4, 2016
ISKCON Montreal celebrated the ISKCON Golden Jubilee event is a grand way this year by renting the Complex Desjardins, one of the most prestigious business and cultural centers in Ottawa. The two events attracted thousands and all visitors would admire the many booths and stalls set up by the devotees. Of special interest were the one promoting Eco Villages and concepts of self-sufficiency. Devotees from different farm projects came to man the local stalls and provide information.
SEPTEMBER * WEST AFRICA
Ivory Coast
HH Bhakti Carudesna Maharaja organized the preaching programs in West Africa as he oversees the various French-speaking countries. During our brief stay in the Ivory Coast we performed a Go Puja at Goshala outside Abidjan and also visited a piece of land purchased by the devotees close to the capital city. One can read a more detailed report of the visit to all three West Africa countries on our website at www.srisurabhi.org.
Ghana
HG Srivas prabhu, the Regional Secretary for West Africa received us at the Accra airport and took us to the local temple outside the capital city. We were able to visit the land donated many years ago by a local king. This was the time HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja was still present and the devotees had the privilege of getting his association at that very location where he shared his vision of a varnasrama-based community. The devotees are currently reviving those plans and HG Srivas prabhu was kind enough to accept being interviewed to share that vision. The interview has already appeared as part of our 54 Interviews Series published on our website at www.srisurabhi.org. One of the peak points of the visit was the performance of Go Puja to the 8 cows cared for at the Goshala close to the temple.
Togo
The Togo devotees, although not many, were very enthusiastic to hear discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavatam daily. One new comer, Bhakta Anthon, was visiting Togo from the neighboring country of Benin. We conducted a Go Puja to a large number of cows that do not belong to devotees but that are kept by a local community called PEULH and their specialty is to look after cows. We also visited a 25 acres plot of land outside the capital of Lome where the devotees have the opportunity to begin a rural community; he land is fertile and ideally located near a running river.
FARM CONFERENCES & VARNASRAMA RELATED EVENTS
FIRST NORTH AMERICA FARM CONFERENCE AT GITA NAGARI FARM
HG Kalakantha prabhu, ISKCON Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture, organized the first North America Farm Conference at the Gita Nagari Farm community in Pennsylvania from September 14 to 15. Devotees from various farm communities, such as New Vrindavan, New Talavan and others attending the two days conference. Details of the event can be read at www.iskconnews.com
“EXPLORING VARNASRAMA” WEEK-END RETREAT AT GITA NAGARI FARM
Since many years now, HH Romapada Swami has been holding yearly conference on the Labor Day weekend of September (this year September 3 to 5) at the Gita Nagari Yoga Farm near Port Royal in Pennsylvania. There was a large attendance of devotees and guests who were able to hear various presentations from devotees such as Abhiram (acbsp) prabhu who serves as Director of the Harinam Sankirtan Party at ISKCON New York, HG Tukaram prabhu who serves as Temple President for ISKCON Laguna Beach temple, as well as HG Kaunteya prabhu, Co-Minister for the Ministry of Congregational Development and HG Braja Hari prabhu who is connected with the Vaisnava Institute for Higher Education at ISKCON Vrindavan.
SOUTH AMERICA FARM CONFERENCE IN BRAZIL
“South American conference, running from August 5th to 7th, took place at the Goura-Vrindavan farm in Paraty, Brazil, three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Rio de Janeiro. Covering 1,600 acres, it is located in the middle of the Atlantic Rainforest, a large forest reserve that is richer in plant life than the Amazon.” For the rest of the report devotees may visit the following link: http://iskconnews.org/iskcon-
UP COMING FARM CONFERENCES (Italy, India and Canada)
ITALY: Devotees in Europe have been holding an annual Farm Conference since the last 8 years. This year’s Farm Conference will be held at Villa Vrindavana in Italy. Details of the date and venue will soon be announced.
INDIA: As a follow-up to last years first Farm Conference in India, devotees connected with the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) as well as the National Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture for India will hold their National Conference at the ISKCON Naimisaranya Farm Community near Hyderabad in the State of Telangana. Details of the conference can be had from HG Rama Laksman prabhu at ramlakshman.brs@gmail.com
CANADA: The Canadian devotees will be holding their first Farm Conference on December 17th under the leadership of HH Bhaktimarga Maharaja. Fil and Sukhayanti d.d who head up GOVARDHAN FARMS will be organizing the conference. Devotees interested may get more information at f.paonessa@hotmail.com
NEW SURABHI CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS
USA His Grace Daiva prabhu who is based in Hawaii has agreed to become the National OM Sri Surabhi Campaign Coordinator for the USA. He will work with Sri Krishna Purusottama prabhu who is the Continental Coordinator for North America.
IVORY COAST His Holiness Bhakti Carudesna Maharaja will take up the responsibility of National Coordinator for the Ivory Coast. He simultaneously oversees all the French-speaking countries to West Africa.
TOGO His Grace Atma Tattva prabhu will be the National Coordinator for Togo working closely with His Holiness Bhakti Carudesna Swami. He is already the National Secretary of ISKCON Togo.
CANADA His Grace Bala Krishna prabhu will take up the responsibility of National Coordinator for Canada and work with Sri Krishna Purusottama das who is the Continental Coordinator for North America.
OM SRI SURABHI CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS NEEDED
The OM Sri Surabhi Campaign invites devotees from different countries to come forward and volunteer to take up the post of National/State or Provincial Coordinators. The responsibilities are delineated on the website dedicated for the campaign. For more information, interested devotees may contact Sri Krishna Purusottama at sreekanth.brs@gmail.com
VARNASRAMA RESEARCH TEAMS (VRT) REVIVED
The Chairman of IDVM-India, His Grace Gour Gopal prabhu, recently informed us that the Varnasrama Research Team (VRT) meant to involve more people in both the ministry work and that of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign will be taken up by one of the long time supporters of IDVM-India, His Grace Rasa Mandala prabhu. For more information on how to set up such a team, one may contact Gour Gopal das at gourgopal.brs@gmail.com
FIRST CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS SANGA – February 14-15, 2017
THE OM Sri Surabhi Coordinators will meet for the first time immediately after the Sanga for GBCs, Gurus and Sannyasis (SGGS) to be held on February 11 to 13. The event will therefore be held on February 14th and 15th in Sri Mayapur, Details to be announced by Rama Laksman das at ramlakshman.brs@gmail.com
UP-COMING PUBLICATIONS
Village Outreach – A GUIDE to CITY TEMPLES
The IDVM-India ministry will be publishing a small booklet entitled “Village Outreach – A Guide for City Temples” to assist individuals and ISKCON temples how to conduct a successful rural outreach program in the surrounding villages of their temples. The guide booklet will elaborate the techniques followed by the devotees who have been conducting the Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra, a Golden Jubilee initiative of IDVM-India to reach out to 108 villages in India. The booklet will be most useful to anyone interested to help fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s strong desire to give support in various forms and ways to the cows and villages not only in India but also all over the world. The booklet will be authored by one of the participants in the Yatra, HG Vrindavan Lila d.d.
VARNASRAMA VIDEO INTERVIEW SERIES
As part of its ISKCON Golden Jubilee pledge to present weekly interviews from various devotees involved or concerned about the varnasrama mission, IDVM-India will be publishing all the interviews in an attractive book form before the end of January, 2017. The project entails transcribing all the interviews and obtaining bio-data information and photos from all those interviewed. A team of devotees headed by HG Rasa Mandala prabhu at IDVM-India is spearheading the project now well underway.
VARNASRAMA VIDEO INTERVIEW SERIES IN DVD FORMAT
The projected 54 video interviews that will make up the interview series project will be put together in attractive DVDs that will likely come out in a series of five DVDs. IDVM-India plans to have the entire set ready and published before the end of January 2017 in time for the 3rd Sanga for GBC,
Gurus and Sannyasis to be help in Sri Dham Mayapur on February 11 to 13, 2017.
IDVM-INDIA CALENDAR – 2017
The first calendar of IDVM-India was produced year in the year 2016 on the theme of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign highlighting the importance of Mother Cows. This year the theme will cover the various activities of IDVM-India such as varnasrama communities, cow protection, organic farming, traditional education such as Gurukula and Varnasrama College, traditional technologies, etc. The IDVM-INDIA Calendar – 2017 will be published by the end of October 2016. Those interested to obtain pre-orders may contact HG Subhananda Hari prabhu at shubhraj.mit@gmail.com
CAMBODIA PREACHING EXPANDS
Devotees in Cambodia have acquired additional land for their project names Yashodapur Eco Village. From 11 hectares they have purchased an additional 7.8 hectares with the prospect of adding another 20 hectares that would bring the total close to 100 hectares. The main devotee involved at developing the Yashodapur Eco Village is Guna Avatara prabhu. Anyone interested to support the preaching activities of ISKCON Cambodia may visit their website at www.iskconcambodia.com or contact HG Guna Avatara prabhu at gunaavatara.dasa@yahoo.co.id
NEW HORIZONS AT SARANAGATI VILLAGE
The Sustainable Eco Alliance (SEA.Inc) is in the process of acquiring 27 acres of land at Saranagati Eco Village for the purpose of promoting one of the important objectives of the Surabhi Campaign, that of developing educational facilities such as Gurukula and Varnasrama College to further the aims of the varnasrama mission. The land is located at the extreme south side of Saranagati Village and has both forest and agriculture facilities. Plans to develop the project will be announced in the months to come. SEA.Inc will join with the Vancouver Vedic Education Society (VVES) to spearhead a project meant to help booster the practical implementation of the varnasrama mission in Western Canada.
WEEKLY INTERVIEW SERIES
By the end of September, the Weekly Interviews Series reached the 40th mark with only 14 interviews to be published. The interviews include His Grace Hari Sauri das, His Grace Gurudas das, and His Grace Acyuta Priya das among others.
Week 28 Bala Krsna das (Canada) Veganism and Ahimsa Milk
Week 29 Frengi/Daniel (Switzerland) Saved from Slaughter
Week 30 Yogesh Chandra das (India) Is Varnasrama a Caste System?
Week 31 Sarvabhauma das (India) Offering Pure Bhoga to the Lord
Week 32 Nava Yogendra Swami (India) Should we Follow Srila Prabhupada?
Week 33 Adi Karta das (USA)` Cintamani Dham – The Place to Be
Week 34 Dayal Mukunda das (India) Mayapur Goshala Update
Week 35 Kaliya Krishna das (Australia) Importance of Vedic Models
Week 36 Srivas das (Ghana) Varnasrama in Africa
Week 37 BB Govinda Swami (USA) Social System of Lord Krishna
Week 38 Acyuta Priya das (Ukraine) How Important is Varnasrama?
Week 39 Yamuna Prana das (Russia) Mother Farm in Ukraine
Week 40 Hari Sauri das (England) The Second Part will be Different
WEELY POWER POINTS
The Weekly Power Point presentations have continued and also passed the 40th mark. All of these Power Points can be viewed on our website at www.srisurabhi.org
Reported By HH Bhakti Raghava Swami
