Former New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, made a recent visit to the Bhakti Center located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Mr. de Blasio was invited to the Bhakti Center by Raj Goyle, a GOPIO member, former state assemblyman, and prominent member of the Indian community in New York City. Mr. de Blasio accepted the invitation to attend the Thursday Night Kirtan and experience the temple and community.
The former mayor visited all the spaces in the building, and then came into the temple and sat in a reserved seat next to Srila Prabhupada. He was given a maha garland, he was able to take darshan, and be present during the kirtan.
Raj Goyal introduced Mr. de Blasio after being presented by the executive director of the Bhakti Center, Dayal Gauranga. Mr. de Blasio then spoke on the value of kindness, respect, and community before expressing his gratitude for our welcome and for our presence in New York City.
Mr. de Blasio had prasad with our guests and spent time talking with people and meeting members of our community