Allahbad and Jabalpur Jail Programs

BY: VRAJENDRANANDAN DAS

Prisoners at Jabalpur

Jun 18, 2010 — NEW DELHI, INDIA (SUN) — ISKCON Allahabad organized a wonderful program at the Central Jail, Naini on 4th June. The program was headed by H.G. Advaita Acharya Prabhu (Temple President). H.G. Asuthosh Prabhu (Vice President), H.G.Venu Vijay prabhu and several other devotes were present at the program. The program began with the Kirtan lead by devotees. Nearly 1,000+ prisoners present along with the jail officers participated and danced in the kirtan. The atmosphere vibrated with the bliss of the Kirtan.

After that, I gave a small lecture on Bhagavad Gita and requested them to understand the essence of life, which is very elaborately discussed in Bhagavad Gita. The Gita says the real welfare activity is to help people cut themselves from the prison of the material world. So I requested them to take up chanting of the Holy Names of God and follow the 4 regulative principles to please the Lord, and feel the bliss themselves. As the taste of the pudding lies in eating it, this [chanting] will not only help you but will help everyone you pass this onto.

At the end, all the people present received Halwa Prasad along with a copy of Hindi Back to Godhead. The program was covered by print media

Preaching party at Jabalpur

Earlier, on 2nd June, for the first time a program was organized at the historical Central Jail, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). The program was organized by Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Jabalpur constituency, Mr. Rakesh Singh along with Mr. Praven Agarwal, a Life Patron of ISKCON. Mr. Rakesh Singh had a very strong desire that ISKCON have a program in his constituency.

I was requested to give a speech to the prisoners and after this, the prisoners sang a few beautiful bhajans glorifying Lord Krishna. The Jail authorities were very enthusiastic, and were pleased when I told them about the programs conducted by ISKCON in various jails across India. Moreover, ISKCON has recently started distributing prasadam in Tihar Jail, New Delhi.

This Jail holds a very unique position historically, as this was the jail where the famous freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was imprisoned during the British rule. The jail authorities showed me the barrack where he was imprisoned, which is now converted into a sort of museum.

While I was giving the lecture, I quoted Lord Chaitanya:

"Prithvite ache yata nagaradi grama, Sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama"

That in every town and village his name would be chanted.

Mr.Rakesh Singh, a well-wisher of ISKCON said Lord Chaitanya's Name should also be chanted in this town (Jabalpur) and should receive His mercy, and expressed his deep desire to see an ISKCON temple in Jabalpur. He is ready to contribute in any possible way and is ready of give 5 acre land for the temple.

Distributing Prasadam, Jabalpur

This program was well covered by print and electronic media. Please visit our Gallery.

Your Servant,
Vrajendranandan das
National Communications Director
New Delhi, India