From : Radheshyam das, Temple President, ISKCON Pune Temples, Dated : 29-05-2024
AN IMPORTANT INVITATION FOR THE 9th JUNE 2024
SUNDAY SPECIAL SP BOOK DISTRIBUTION PRIZE DISTRIBUTION FESTIVAL
Dear Prabhujis and Matajis of ISKCON PUNE temples,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As you all know we had fixed a important program of SRILA PRABHUPADA BOOK
MARATHON PRIZE DISTRIBUTION AND CONGRATULATIONS (kara sparsha utsav) for all
of you with the divine presence of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja.
Unfortunately we miss his loving association now; nevertheless our hearts are flooding
with gratitude to him for his kindness upon all of us because he has been visiting us
before and after SP Book Marathon, practically every year!
HH Gopal Krsna goswami Maharaja has deputed HH Guru Prasad Swami Maharaja to
be the GBC for his zones. GBC has sent out a letter regarding this to all Leaders as
below :
GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
10 May 2024
The GBC Executive Committee (EC) convened a special general meeting on 10 May
2024 to discuss two topics:
1) the smooth transition of responsibilities for Gopal Krishna Goswami’s zones following his
passing, and,
2) Jayapataka Swami’s health update and additional support for his zones
1. Smooth Transition Of Responsibilities For Gopal Krishna Goswami’s Zone Following
His Passing:
Members reflected on a lifetime of tireless services rendered by Gopal Krishna Goswami both in
India, and in the West. A few members reminisced about Gopal Krishna Goswami and glorified his
exceptional contribution to Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON.
Guru Prasad Swami, Chair of the GBC, conveyed his appreciation to the members for their
participation in addressing this important issue. Tapana Misra Das shared a thorough narrative of
Gopal Krishna Goswami's passing and the darshan and samadhi ceremonies held at ISKCON Delhi
and ISKCON Vrindavan respectively. Tapan Mishra Das had read the GBC’s tributes on their behalf
at Gopal Krishna Goswami’s memorial held at ISKCON Vrindavan
The GBC reviewed the extensive list of zones managed by Gopal Krishna Goswami, including India,
Central and East Africa, South Russia, and Canada, and discussed a way forward for transitioning
leadership smoothly. Gopal Krishna Goswami recommended Guru Prasad Swami as his Co-GBC
for India — an arrangement which Gopal Krishna Maharaja initiated some months ago.
Guru Prasad Swami confirmed his willingness to assume this role, which the GBC members
approved. The GBC resolved to appoint Guru Prasad Swami as the GBC Zonal Secretary for Gopal
Krishna Goswami's Indian zones until the 2025 AGM, with a review at that time.
For zones outside India, the GBC EC will temporarily oversee these zones until the 2025 AGM,
working in consultation with relevant Regional Governing Bodies and other local leaders. This was
accepted as a transitional measure and follows established GBC precedence.
As per Gopal Krishna Goswami’s recommendation, three senior Indian leaders (Rishi Kumar Das,
Rukmini Krishna Das and Sundar Gopal Das) were nominated as Zonal Supervisors for the
National Capital Region (NCR), India.
The GBC is fully committed to supporting the disciples and zones of Gopal Krishna Goswami and
serving in the spirit of unity and cooperation for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, as Gopal
Krishna Goswami exemplified.
2. Jayapataka Swami’s Health Update And Management Of His Zones:
Revati Raman Das and Tapana Misra Das provided updates on their visit to Jayapataka Swami in
Delhi, where Maharaja remains hospitalised and continues to receive dialysis and other
treatments. The GBC was relieved to hear that Maharaja's health was stable and improving.
The GBC addressed the importance of strengthening the leadership capacity in the areas under
Jayapataka Swami's management. The GBC resolved that the GBC EC will consult and engage
with Jayapataka Swami and relevant leaders to support and where necessary reinforce leadership
capacity in zones where Jayapataka Swami serves as the sole GBC and if required, in zones where
Jayapataka Swami serves as Co-GBC.
- Issued by GBC Communications
Since GBC resolved to appoint Guru Prasad Swami as the GBC Zonal Secretary for Gopal Krishna
Goswami's Indian zones until the 2025 AGM, with a review at that time,
We hereby announce to all ISKCON PUNE temples that HH Guru Prasad Swami Maharaja will be our
GBC Zonal secretary till 2025 AGM (All GBC Meet).
Therefore we have invited him to preside this SP Book Marathon Prize distribution festival on 9 th JUNE
2024 and he has kindly accepted our request.
He will be doing two programs as below :
Regarding SUNDAY 9th JUNE Program, here is the Schedule :
SP Book Marathon 2023 - Prize Dist Program by
the lotus hands of HH Guruprasad Swami Maharaja.
At ISKCON NVCC (venue BVH below Temple hall) - 10 AM – 1 PM – Lecture and Prize distribution festival
At ISKCON CAMP Pune RKBM (temple hall) - 6pm to 8pm – Lecture and Prize distribution festival
We request everyone of you to kindly attend these programs with your family and devotee friends in
big numbers for the pleasure of HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaja, for whom SP Book distribution is
life and soul. He will surely be present invisibly during this program and will bless all of us who join
this program. Here is a brief introduction about HH Guru Prasad Swami Maharaja. He is not only GBC
member, but he is Chairman of GBC-EC (Executive Committee) this year. We are fortunate to have
him at Pune to guide us.
Guru Prasad Swami
Guru Prasad Swami was born in the USA and studied
nuclear physics at Purdue University. After becoming
disenchanted with science he transferred to the University
of Texas where he made contact with the Hare Krishna
movement; but it was later, during his military service in
Panama when this encounter with ISKCON changed his life
dramatically.
Upon concluding his military service Guru Prasad Swami
joined a pioneering group of Krishna devotees in Central
America stationed in San José, Costa Rica. He attended
the 1976 Mayapur-Vrindavan festival and was initiated by
Srila Prabhupada there. He received sannyasa initiation in
Rio de Janiero in Brazil in 1982.
Guru Prasad Swami’s early contribution in ISKCON Costa Rica centered on administrative
services and distributing BBT publications beginning in 1975 in the USA and from 1976-1978
in Central America. He became the temple president of Costa Rica temple in 1978, and
then began traveling around Latin America, opening new temples, establishing worship
centers and collaborating in diverse administrative services. In 1987 he became a member
of the GBC with zonal assignments in the Tucson area of Arizona, and Mexico. He is co-
zonal secretary for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Belize, Costa Rica,
Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad, Tobago and Venezuela.
Interested in the essential role that communication plays in ISKCON’s progress and in the
lives of individuals associated with it, Guru Prasad Swami seeks to assist devotees
cooperate in harmony, personally and collectively, through clear and open
communication. His web site is http://gpswami.org/english/index-en.html and is available
in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
With my sincere prayers and best wishes for the all round wellbeing of all your family
members as well as for your glorious missionary activities in Srila Prabhupada’s
beautiful Institution of ISKCON,
Hare Krishna.
Your servant
Radheshyam das
