Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
This is to inform you of some important changes in the management of the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC) in Kolkata.
As you know the BRC has for the last nine years been collecting and preserving important historical documents of our Gaudiya Vaisnava lineage as per the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. We have a current catalogue of over 20,000 works.
For example:
· We recently acquired from the West Bengal State Archives the government work-records of Bhaktivinoda Thakura from 1866 to 1892.
· We have just completed the de-acidification and lamination of
o Svalikhita Jivani, the hand-written auto biography of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
o a 200 pages song book hand-written by Bhaktivinoda Thakur
o 40,000 pages of Nadia Prakash, the daily newspaper published by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
· We have the last Will of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, written 16 hours before his departure
· We have the only known copy of Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s personal diary
· Several thousand other works have already been scanned and will be made available on our website shortly
The future is very bright. We are organizing research projects and conferences in collaboration with Universities such as Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Stockholm University. We are also in the process of affiliating with Kolkata University.
It is with deep regret then that due to significant health challenges, as of Gaura Purnima, March 2nd, 2018, I have retired from active service as Administrative Co-Director at the BRC.
During the last few months I have been working with Academic Director Pranava dasa and others to ensure that the project continues effectively up to the high standards we have already established, and will continue to expand its services.
I am pleased to inform you that a team of inspired, enthusiastic devotees have agreed to take up the service of administering the BRC. These include devotees from ISKCON Kolkata, Mumbai and Mayapur. I am confident this team will insure the integrity of the BRC operation to the best possible standard.
Needless to say, the BRC depends upon the generosity and support of our donors. Many of you have generously contributed to our membership program and my sincere request is that you continue to do so with full enthusiasm and confidence.
One of the primary services I was handling was the finances for the project. I am pleased to note that Venugopaldev das, a disciple of Radhanath Swami, is taking over the service as the Dean of Finance. He lives in Mayapur which is close to the BRC premises in Kolkata. He is enthusiastic and is already providing significant input. I am confident that Venugopaldev prabhu will do very well in his service for the success of the project and the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. We are entering into a new expanded era for the BRC and we can only do that with the generous support of the Vaisnava community.
Any inquiries as to how you can help the BRC are warmly welcome and may be directed to
Venugopaldev Das
Phone/WhatsApp – +1 (313) 587-2250
Email – venugopaldevdas108@gmail.com
Please find attached a picture of his.
Thank you once again for your support and the opportunity to serve you all.
Your humble servant
Hari-sauri das
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