News Analysis India

Tag: ISKCON

  • Now Order ISKCON’s ‘Maha Prasad’ Online Via Govt’s ONDC Network |

    New Delhi: The ‘Maha Prasad’ from International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is now available for order online at the government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), it was announced on Monday.

    ISKCON has partnered with homegrown logistics platform Shiprocket to deliver the Prasad to devotees and seekers across the nation.

    “ISKCON’s ‘Maha Prasad’ on the ONDC network is a testament to the evolving landscape of digital commerce where sacred traditions merge with modern convenience,” said T. Koshy, MD and CEO, ONDC, an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

    Shiprocket said that it will ensure a seamless and reliable delivery experience, allowing devotees to receive Maha Prasad with the same reverence and sanctity as offered at ISKCON temples worldwide.

    “In the realm of material perception, ‘Prasadam’ acts as both diet and medicine, silently guiding us towards inner peace and contentment,” said Gauranga Das from ISKCON.

    “To place an order for Maha Prasad, visit the Paytm and Mystore buyer apps on ONDC,” said the network.

    Incorporated on December 31, 2021, ONDC has created a facilitative model to revolutionise digital commerce, giving greater thrust to the penetration of retail e-commerce in India.

    In April, ONDC facilitated 7.22 million transactions and onboarded over 5 lakh sellers.

  • ISKCON monk in Bengal goes missing after sexual abuse complaint emerges

    By IANS

    KOLKATA: Jagadartiha Das, a monk and the chief coordinator of the globally acclaimed International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple at Mayapur in West Bengal’s Nadia district has gone missing after a security guard of the temple filed a complaint at a local police station against him.

    According to the FIR filed at Nabadwip Police Station, the monk allegedly summoned his security guard to his room and sexually abused him. Local police sources said that although earlier too there were similar complaints of sexual abuse against the same monk, this was the first time a formal police complaint has been filed.

    The Nadia district police Superintendent Ishani Paul has confirmed to the media persons that a complaint has been filed against the said monk and he is yet to be arrested as he went absconding. She also confirmed that the police have started a probe into the matter and have begun the process of tracking the accused monk.

    The accused monk has been charged under Section 377 (unnatural offences), Section 342 (wrongful confinement) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

    Meanwhile, the temple authorities have taken up the matter seriously and they have expelled Das, who was known as Jayanta Kumar Saha during his pre-monastery days, from the association.

    In his complaint, the security guard alleged that the accused monk also threatened of getting him sacked if he opened his mouth about the abuse. The victim allegedly informed the police that previously too other staff of the temple were sexually abused, though they remained silent in the face of threats.

    KOLKATA: Jagadartiha Das, a monk and the chief coordinator of the globally acclaimed International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple at Mayapur in West Bengal’s Nadia district has gone missing after a security guard of the temple filed a complaint at a local police station against him.

    According to the FIR filed at Nabadwip Police Station, the monk allegedly summoned his security guard to his room and sexually abused him. Local police sources said that although earlier too there were similar complaints of sexual abuse against the same monk, this was the first time a formal police complaint has been filed.

    The Nadia district police Superintendent Ishani Paul has confirmed to the media persons that a complaint has been filed against the said monk and he is yet to be arrested as he went absconding. She also confirmed that the police have started a probe into the matter and have begun the process of tracking the accused monk.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The accused monk has been charged under Section 377 (unnatural offences), Section 342 (wrongful confinement) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

    Meanwhile, the temple authorities have taken up the matter seriously and they have expelled Das, who was known as Jayanta Kumar Saha during his pre-monastery days, from the association.

    In his complaint, the security guard alleged that the accused monk also threatened of getting him sacked if he opened his mouth about the abuse. The victim allegedly informed the police that previously too other staff of the temple were sexually abused, though they remained silent in the face of threats.

  • Three die at overcrowded festival venue in Bengal

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Three persons, including two women, died and several others fell ill after a stampede-like situation emerged due to extreme heat and humidity during a religious festival at Panihati in North 24-Paraganas on Sunday. The devotees complained of mismanagement. The authorities shut down the festival. The incident occurred at the annual Danda Mahotsav organised at the ISKCON temple. 

    At least 50 devotees were taken to the healthcare centres.  “Three were brought dead to the hospital,’’ said an official. CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted to offer her condolences. “This year the festival was held after two years due to the pandemic. We expected around 2.5 lakh people but the number was four-fold,’’ said state minister Jyotipriya Mullick. 

    Eyewitnesses said there was a common passage for entry and exit. “There was no police presence,’’ said Tapan Byapari, a devotee. A municipality official said 12 health camps were set up near the venue. Police Commissioner Manoj Verma said the incident took place mainly because of “extreme weather.’’  

  • Four devotees die in a stampede-like situation during a religious festival in West Bengal

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Four persons, including two women, died and several others fell ill in a stampede-like situation in extreme heat and humidity while attending a religious festival in North 24-Paraganas district’s Panihati on Sunday. The devotees, who turned up at the venue, complained of mismanagement and lack of vigil by police. The organisers had to shut the entrance of the venue finding an unexpected flow of devotees and the local authorities shut down the festival.

    The incident occurred at the Danda Mahotsav (festival of punishment) organised every year at the ISKCON temple in Panihati. At least 50 devotees, who fell ill, were taken to the nearby healthcare centres.

    Chief minister Mamata Banerjee offered her condolences. ‘’Distressed to know of 3 old devotees’ death in Danda Mahotsav at ISKCON temple at Panihati. CP and DM have rushed, all help being provided. My condolences to the bereaved families, solidarity to devotees,’’ she tweeted.

    A large number of people gather at the venue every year to mark the arrival of Shri Chaitanyadev from Puri on the way to his abode at Nabadwip. ‘’This year the festival is organised after a gap two years because of the pandemic. We expected a footfall of around 2.5 lakh people but the number was fourfold high this year,’’ said one of the organisers of the festival.

    Eyewitnesses told that there was common passage for both the incoming and outgoing devotees where the situation worsened. ‘’Many fell unconscious because of the pressure of the crowd. There was no policemen to control the crowd,’’ said Tapan Byapari, one of the devotees who managed to come out of the festival venue.

  • PM Modi releases special commemorative coin on ISKCON founder’s 125th birth anniversary

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a special commemorative coin of Rs 125 on Wednesday to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) founder Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

    Speaking on the occasion through video-conferencing, Modi lauded the religious organisation for its work and services and said that it has played the role of a brand ambassador of Indian traditions and values.

    Citing ISKCON’s global presence, the prime minister said he often gives the example of its success while speaking of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, a programme launched by his government to popularise “made-in-India” products. How we feel a sense of belonging and pride when we are greeted with ‘Hare Krishna’ in foreign countries. Imagine how we will feel if we find the same familiarity for ‘made-in-India’ products outside,” the prime minister said.

    ‘Hare Krishna’ is the greeting offered by ISKCON members.

    Prabhupada arrived in New York with little idea about his next meal or where he will stay, and his subsequent success in popularising ISKCON is, Modi said quoting former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, no less than a miracle.

    ISKCON has told the world that for India, faith means zest, enthusiasm and faith in humanity, he said, and also lauded its service to people during various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Prabhupada was not only an extraordinary devotee of Lord Krishna but was also a devotee to India, Modi said, noting his association with the freedom movement.

    Modi said when India was in “slavery”, the Bhakti movement kept its spirit alive, and added that scholars assess that if there was no social revolution that time then it would be difficult to imagine the country’s fate.

    Bhakti connected the creature with God by removing the discrimination of faith, social hierarchies and privileges, he said.

    “If a sage like Swami Vivekananda took Vedanta to the west, then Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON took up this great task of taking Bhakti Yoga to the world when the time came. He connected Bhakti Vedanta with the consciousness of the world,” he said.

    It is our resolve that the world should benefit from our knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda, Modi added.

    Prabhupada had founded ISKCON, commonly known as the “Hare Krishna movement”.

    ISKCON has translated the Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta and other Vedic literature in 89 languages, playing a stellar role in the dissemination of Vedic literature across the world, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had earlier said.

    He has also established over a hundred temples and wrote several books.

  • Rath Yatra remains low-key affair in Bengal for second year amid COVID curbs

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Much like last year, the traditional gaiety on Rath Yatra was missing in Bengal on Monday as authorities at the much-revered Mahesh temple in Hooghly district cancelled all festivities in the wake of COVID-related restrictions, and ISKCON temples in the city and Mayapur marked the occasion with muted celebrations.

    At the Kolkata temple of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which had to put off its 50th year celebrations amid the pandemic-induced curbs, Lord Jagannath travelled in a decorated carcade, along with his divine siblings, as part of the rituals.

    No chariot was taken out on the streets, in a departure from tradition.

    The cavalcade travelled a distance of three kilometres – from Alfred Road premises to the organisation’s office on Gurusaday Road.

    In Mayapur, the global headquarters of ISKCON, a makeshift Gundicha temple was set up on the courtyard, where the three deities — Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Devi — will be putting up for nine days.

    Only 50 servitors and devotees were allowed to pull a chariot in the temple complex during the day.

    Similarly, temple authorities in Mahesh performed all rituals, with just a handful of locals visiting the shrine to offer obeisance.

    Smaller chariots rolled out on the premises of the temple to mark the journey of the deities to their aunt’s place at Gundicha temple.

    In accordance with the custom, the ‘narayan shila’ (sacred stone) at the shrine was taken to another temple, which represented the aunt’s house, around a kilometre away.

    The ritual was performed by local Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee.

    Under normal circumstances, the temple, which had been celebrating Rath Yatra with fanfare for over six centuries, draws thousands of devotees every year.

    Early in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent offerings to the deities at ISKCON temple here on the occasion, official sources said.

    Taking to Twitter, she wrote, “Warm wishes to all on the auspicious occasion of #RathYatra! I pray to Lord Jagannath for the safety and well-being of all my brothers & sisters.Jai Jagannath.”