Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON's Global Communications Minister and GBC member, recently toured the Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Center, a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital located in Mumbai, India, across the street from the ISKCON Mira Road Temple. People come from all over the world to receive treatment here because of the emphasis on the spiritual, physical, and mental well-being of the patient. Beginning as the Bhaktivedanta Polyclinic in 1993 and later the expanded Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Center in 1998, it is now regarded as one of the most state-of-the-art medical and research facilities in all of India. A typical day will welcome over 2,500 visitors, while the lobby will see an average of 700 patients daily.
Recently, Revd Dr. Richard Sudworth OBE, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury and National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England, paid a visit to ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor. He was joined by Angeline Leung, the Executive Assistant for the Church of England's Inter Religious Affairs & Ecumenical. Leung also serves on the Faith and Public Life team, based at Lambeth Palace, which hosted a historical interfaith event last November.
In September of 2023, Kesava Dasa and Kesava Priya Dasi arrived in Ghana, West Africa, at the invitation of Srivas Vanacari, the Zonal Secretary for West Africa, to assist with college preaching as well as book and prasadam distribution.
Recently, Guruttama Dasa (Gurmann Saini) of ISKCON Finland and a member of the National Forum for Cooperation of Religions in Finland (USKOT), was named by the Finnish Government to represent religious communities on the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development 2024-2027.
Food-for-All UK has opened an exciting and colorful new “Give Me Love” Prasad Distribution center in the heart of Camden Town in central London. “The FFA-UK team is presently distributing 2,500 plates of Prasad daily, and running three food banks for people in food crisis,” said FFA-UK Founder, Parasuram Das.
The Pew Research Center (PRC) has released the latest data available from 198 countries and territories regarding governmental restrictions on religious practices and beliefs. “Religious groups faced harassment by governments in 183 countries in 2021, the largest number since the study began,” the 14th annual report revealed, “Governments interfered in worship in 163 countries, down slightly from 164 in 2020 but still close to the all-time high.” The report not only shares the concerning facts about government restrictions but also where governments are providing benefits and support to religious organizations.
In Kenya's rich and diverse cultural tapestry, where traditions blend harmoniously within a variegated contemporary Africa, emerges a compelling narrative of heritage, spirituality, and music embodied by Harikanta Devi Dasi, a fourth-generation Indian Kenyan whose journey from spiritual seeker to enchanting musician has captivated hearts far and wide. Her debut Kirtan album, "Jambo Kirtan," is not just a collection of melodious hymns; it's a testament to her profound spiritual odyssey and her endeavor to infuse Krishna Consciousness into the vibrant cultural landscape of Kenya.
Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and contributor to ISKCON News, has recently received a Storytelling World Resource Award for his CD Sacred Voices. ISKCON News (IN) interview with Sankirtana Das (Skd) about the honor and his thoughts on art, theater, sacred storytelling, interfaith dialogue, and more.
On March 3, 2024, a significant moment of cooperation and interfaith harmony occurred in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, during a visit between leaders of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and a representative from the Suriname Islamic Association (SIV).