Sridham Govinda Das, Bhakti Purushottam Swami, Braja Vilas Das and Subhekshana Das at the 9th Tribal Convention in Mayapur.

The 9th Tribal Convention, organized by the India Tribal Care Trust, was held in Mayapur from March 21 to 23, 2025. The three-day event witnessed the participation of hundreds of devotees from across India, bringing together 25 tribal communities, ISKCON leaders, and volunteers. 

Deeply inspired by the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the India Tribal Care Trust aims to uplift the physical, social, and cultural well-being of tribal populations across the nation, while preserving their spiritual heritage and connection with nature. With a vision for a prosperous, healthy, educated, and culturally rich tribal society rooted in dharmic values, the Trust has been working tirelessly to integrate education, healthcare, and spiritual development in remote regions of the country.

The convention began with kirtan and a ceremonial lamp-lighting led by Bhakti Purushottam Swami, GBC, and Chairman of Tribal Care. Students from the Tribal Gurukul recited verses from the Bhagavad-gita. Bhakti Purushottam Swami shared that the boys had memorized all the verses from the first six chapters. The day’s celebrations also included a performance of the Jagannathashtakam by Dhriti Rai and a traditional tribal dance by students of Bhaktivedanta National School from Tripura.

In his address to the gathering, Sridham Govinda Das, Secretary of the India Tribal Care Trust, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond traditional preaching—it is about truly empowering tribal communities within their own environments. He shed light on the many challenges these regions face, including poor infrastructure, limited communication, and a lack of reliable transportation. 

Despite these hardships, he praised the remarkable strides made through initiatives that offer free education, healthcare, and opportunities for socio-economic upliftment. He said, “Many of them lack proper housing, and reaching their villages often requires crossing rivers without access to proper transport. Through this initiative, we are helping them preserve their identity and dignity in a rapidly changing world.”

On stage, Bhakti Purushottam Swami appreciated the volunteers and contributors to the program. Braja Vilas Das, Vice Chairman of Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) and Mayapur Executive Co-Director, proposed that the Tribal Convention be included in ISKCON Mayapur’s annual calendar of festivals. Drawing from the Sanskrit roots of the word “Tribal” — Tri-bal — he explained the concept as the balance of spiritual strength (atma-bal), intellectual strength (buddhi-bal), and physical strength (sharir-bal), all of which are being nurtured through the Tribal Care initiative.

Subhekshana Das, Co-director of Mayapur, praised the efforts of Jayapataka Swami and Bhakti Purushottam Swami, noting that the project goes beyond physical aid, focusing on holistic care as guided by the Bhagavad-gita. He emphasized that taking care of only the physical body is like saving the clothes of a drowning man; spiritual nourishment is equally essential.

The second day continued with colorful cultural performances by various tribal groups and additional recitations of Bhagavad-gita verses by children from Jharkhand. The final day of the event was graced by the Honourable Governor of Telangana, Sri Jishnu Dev Verma. He was welcomed warmly and appreciated for his support for Vedic values and ISKCON’s mission.

In his address, Hriday Chaitanya Das spoke of the spiritual significance of tribal care in the modern age. He noted that India’s tribal population, estimated at ten crore across 700 ethnic groups, has largely remained untouched by the rapid industrialization and materialism that plague modern society. Noting, “Srila Prabhupada always signed his letter by writing ‘I hope this letter meets you in good health and Krishna consciousness’ and tribal care takes care of good health and Krishna consciousness.”

As the Tribal Care Trust approaches its tenth anniversary next year, hopes are high for increased outreach and greater self-respect among tribal people. Volunteers and devotees from over 10 states participated, and more than 100 volunteers were actively involved in organizing the event.

The convention concluded with an award ceremony recognizing the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff from Bhaktivedanta National Schools in tribal regions. The event not only highlighted the transformative work being done in tribal areas but also served as a powerful reminder of Srila Prabhupada’s vision to bring Krishna consciousness to every town and village — a vision now taking root in India’s most remote and neglected corners.

To learn more about the ISKCON Tribal Care initiative, please visit the website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.