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, a team of devotees from ISKCON Denmark participated in the country's largest Body-Mind-Spirit Health Fair, called "Krop-Sind-Ånd Helsemesse." The popular event, which welcomed 6,000 visitors over its three-day run, was held at Brøndby Hallen in Copenhagen. With an array of 165 exhibitors and over 90 engaging lectures, workshops, and mini-courses, attendees were invited to explore the fields of physical, naturopathic, and spiritual wellness.
The Bhaktivedanta Medical Association - US (BMA-US) will be holding its 6th annual BMA Conference at Deland, Florida, on February 2nd-4th, 2024.
Alachua, Florida - The Bhakti Recovery Group (BRG) Convention, held recently in Alachua, Florida, has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals navigating the challenging path of addiction recovery within the devotee community. The convention, spearheaded by Jiva Gaurangi Dasi, "Jiva G," the founder of BRG, and co-organized by Namamrita Das, brought together devotees from diverse backgrounds to explore the powerful fusion of Bhakti spirituality and the 12-step recovery program.
In a transformational initiative to bridge spiritual healing and personal growth, the Bhakti Recovery Group (BRG) is gearing up to host an empowering convention in Alachua on September 23-25th.
The Krishna's Home Adult Care facility in Tucson held a pre-opening event on April 21, 2023, to celebrate the completion of their facility near the existing temple community. This joyful gathering of devotees occurred during the auspicious time of Akshaya Tritya inside the new building itself. Welcoming guests at the event, ISKCON Tucson Temple President Sandamini Devi said, "This is a monumental event not only for Tuscon but for all of ISKCON, and particularly North America."
Being sick is a serious ordeal these days. If it is a serious illness, it is double trouble. Willpower and wallet are put to test. Gauranga Dasa, a devotee from Odessa, found himself in such a difficult situation.In March 2022, after an emergency operation for peritonitis, Gauranga Prabhu heard a terrible diagnosis – cancer.There was a difficult operation where some of his intestines were taken out and his stomach was put in place, followed by an exhausting 5 cycles of chemotherapy. By the Lord’s mercy, Gauranga Dasa lived through all of this, but it almost took away his strength. There arose problems related to the kidneys, liver, and skin. Unfortunately, these were not all the trials that befell the devotee. Because of the intense stress, his wife fell ill as well and has had to be hospitalized and received operations herself.At the end of September, Gauranga Dasa went through the 6th chemotherapy cycle, after which another difficult operation to restore the intestines will follow.Thanks to constant serious spiritual practice, and the support of devotees and family, Gauranga Dasa has retained his inner strength and is determined to persevere. For that to be achieved, it is crucial to have good nutrition, and support for internal organs – the liver and the kidneys. Such operations are not cheap. and the family has almost no money left.Damayuta Dasa, the leader of the Odesa Yatra says:“Gauranga Dasa met devotees in the early 90s in Chisinau. His spiritual master is Partha Sarathi Dasa Goswami who initiated him in 1999.In 2007, he married and lived in Chernomorsk, he was engaged in service in the Odesa community. He was a member of the community council, was the chair of the department of education. In 2011 he received a second initiation.Together with his wife, they preached through clubs such as Goodness, and Psychology 3000.He traveled a lot, was engaged in service in the Vienna community, and helped to arrange the first Ratha-Yatra.All devotees note that he is warm-hearted and gentle. Of course, he has a great sense of humor and at the same time deep knowledge of philosophy. He is an excellent counselor and always provides appropriate support and care.When he was teaching, all his students spoke of him with great love and gratitude. Our yatra is still hoping that he could start teaching again.”We humbly ask caring and sympathetic people for help! Your donations will help a wonderful devotee recover so that he can teach his students againDonations can be made at the shareyour.care link here
Bhaktivedanta Medical Association will launch on March 13th, 2022 with the mission to provide a digital resource that provides healthcare information from a holistic perspective. It shall offer advice in areas of healthcare and wellbeing. Devotees and doctors at BMA strive to serve the devotees by delivering holistic healthcare to the ISKCON community at large.
India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) is a USA-based charitable Charity. They aim to support the poverty-stricken people in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Their focus is to empower poor people through means of educating them, making them experts in various skills, thereby making them capable of living a sustainable life. They serve beyond the boundaries of caste, creed, and color.