50 Million Free Meals Distributed by ISKCON in India and Worldwide during COVID-19
BCCI (Indian Cricket Board) President Sourav Ganguly commits to feeding 10,000 people daily through ISKCON Kolkata
Since the beginning of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been doing its part to help, worldwide. The major donor of this food has been ISKCON in India, that has served more than 50 million meals and dry good boxes through its 75+ kitchens across 22 states, starting in early March until June 8th when the country began to re-open.
ISKCON India’s resident monks and volunteers distributed these meals to the very poor, daily-wage families, migrant workers, essential workers and tribal communities. It was ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada’s vision, that no one within a ten-mile radius of any ISKCON center should go hungry.
“Today I visited @iskconglobal Central Kitchen at Dwarka, Delhi set up by @ISKCON_Dwarka with support from @DMSouhtWest1. It is providing food to about 5 lakh [500,000] migrant workers & needy people in #Delhi during #COVID19. I commend them for this great humanitarian effort,” tweeted G. Kishan Reddy, India Minister of State of Home Affairs.
ISKCON’s largest kitchen was in New Delhi, the nation’s capital, which prepared 250,000 meals daily. It’s eco-friendly technology, including the use of 300 battery-operated, GPS tagged shuttle cars, helped to ensure timely delivery. In Kerala, India ISKCON was feeding nearly 700 police officers on a daily basis. Generous donations, like those provided by cricket celebrity Sourav Ganguly, who later tweeted “Thank u ISKCON .. keep serving the society” enabled ISKCON Kolkata to double the number of meals distributed daily to 20,000 during that period.
In addition to these meals, ISKCON was providing supplies such as face masks and sanitizers via food-relief centers.
The Delhi government nominated ISKCON as a “Mother NGO” for this period, and ISKCON coordinated alongside the government and other district NGOs to assist the food relief efforts in the state. These food-relief activities have been supported by the federal and state governments in India and have drawn appreciation.
In other parts of the world, where lockdown is still ongoing, like the United Kingdom, the Hare Krishna Food For All program has been feeding 5,500 people in London, daily.
In Orlando, Florida the Veda Foundation has been distributing food to their local hospitals, and first responders including police departments, and fire departments. Sheriff Micheal Chitwood of Volusia County wrote “The Indian chow mein, fried rice and pizza were very good. But the cupcakes were exceptional!” Veda Foundation has distributed more than 15,000 meals to date at a rate of 250 meals a day.
In Gainesville Florida, USA Krishna Lunch is distributing 100 meals a day to local healthcare workers.
ISKCON New York has been distributing food to healthcare workers and teaming up with other community distribution centers.
Many other ISKCON communities around the globe are also distributing food, although in smaller quantities.
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Background
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is a worldwide confederation of more than 650 temples and centers, 110 vegetarian restaurants, and a wide variety of community projects. ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava, a monotheistic sampradaya within the broad Hindu culture.
ISKCON India Food Relief for more info: http://iskconfoodrelief.com/
Hare Krishna Food For All for more info: https://foodforalluk.com/
Krishna Lunch (ISKCON Gainesville): https://krishnalunch.com/supportourheroes/
Veda Foundation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzGYlbmil_4&feature=youtu.be
ISKCON New York New York Post article: https://nypost.com/2020/04/17/coler-hospital-on-roosevelt-island-gets-supplies-after-staff-complaints/
Article by: Kumari Kunti Sherreitt, Madana Gopal Das for ISKCON News on July 1, 2020
Source: https://iskconnews.org/50-million-meals-distributed-by-iskcon-food-relief-in-india-and-worldwide,7408/
Narendra Modi Inaugurates World's Largest Gita at ISKCON Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, attended the Gita Aradhana Mahotsav at ISKCON-Glory of India Cultural Centre, New Delhi, in February 2019.
He unveiled a unique Bhagavad Gita, prepared by ISKCON devotees. It measures over 2.8 meters and weighs over 800 kg.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that it is indeed a special occasion to unveil this magnificent Bhagavad Gita. He said this unique book will become a symbol of India’s knowledge, to the world.
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of ISKCON’s founder, Srila Prabhupada, in raising global awareness about this sacred scripture and sharing devotion to Lord Krishna.
The Prime Minister said that the Bhagavad Gita can always be our guide when we face a dilemma in life. Recalling a famous verse from the Gita, he said that the divine force is always with us, as we fight against the enemies of humanity. He said the Gita inspires one, to service of the people, and the nation.
Forbes.com - ISKCON Celebrates 50 Years Since Its Founding
The renowned International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding by revered spiritual leader A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with an elaborate black-tie gala in Washington DC late last month. The event brought together scores of religious, academic and political leaders from across the country to celebrate the life of Swami Prabhupada and the influential, global organization his work inspired.
Founded in 1966 in New York, ISKCON boasts more than 600 centers and millions of adherents worldwide who worship the Hindu deity Krishna, a central figure in the Hindu religion. Swami Prabhupada played a major role in introducing the western world to teachings of Krishna by translating major Hindu works, including the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, into English and spreading their message across the United States.
Read full article at the below link:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ronakdesai/2016/10/27/iskcon-celebrates-50-years-since-its-founding/#65707ec65f49
ISKCON Devotees Invited to Chant "Hare Krishna" at Italian Parliament
"The Journey Within" by ISKCON Governing Member Radhanath Swami Named a New York Times Bestseller
ISKCON 50 Message - Theresa May, Prime Minister, U.K.
Namaste, I am delighted to send my best wishes to everyone at Bhaktivedanta Manor in what is a very special year for all those associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
For fifty years since its foundation by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the men and women behind ISKCON have dedicated their lives to the words of Lord Krishna to achieve peace and unity.
ISKCON can be proud that in that time it has grown the world over, setting up over 500 centres and 50 schools.
In celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, it is wonderful to see so many in the Hindu community flock once again to Bhaktivedanta Manor to be part of the Janmashtami celebrations.
I am delighted to see festivities on such a scale take place, reminding us all of the great number of people from diverse backgrounds throughout this country.
As you gather to celebrate in the beauty of the Manor’s surroundings, let me wish you all a spectacular Janmashtami festival , and of course, pay tribute to the thousand and more volunteers who have given their precious time to make this year’s festival a memorable one.
Theresa May MP
PRIME MINISTER
ISKCON 50 Message - Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India
ISKCON 50 Message - Hema Malini, Member of Parliament, India
ISKCON 50 Message - Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister, Canada
ISKCON 50 Message - Sri Chadalawada Krishnamurthy, Chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Board of Trustees
ISKCON Mega Kitchen on National Geographic Channel
U.K. PM David Cameron Inaugurates ISKCON's Sri Krishna Haveli
U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Offers Appreciation to ISKCON's Founder/Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, in Her 2015 Janmastami Message