By Atma Tattva Das
This year, the Krishna Balarama Youth Group (KBYG) in Johannesburg marks a monumental milestone—21 years of fostering devotion, community, and transformation within ISKCON South Africa. Over two decades, KBYG has been a beacon of inspiration, not just for youth in Johannesburg but for devotees and seekers across the nation and beyond. As they celebrate this occasion, they reflect on their journey, challenges, contributions, and the enduring spirit that has shaped the platform’s legacy.
The story of Krishna Balaram Youth Group (KBYG) began in the late 1990s with a small group of young devotees in Randburg, Johannesburg. “We used to travel to Lenasia or Pretoria for programs, but there was nothing close to home,” shared Kartik Das, one of KBYG’s founding members. “We didn’t want the formal structure of a namahatta, so we started as a ‘cell group.'” With just six members at its inception, the group began gathering in the warm and welcoming home of Prahladini Radhika Devi Dasi and Dhanudhar Das.
“Our initial goal was to bridge the gap between very strict spiritual practices and too liberal material thought and behavior,” Kartik explained. “We wanted to create a balance—being in this world but not of it. The group was about inclusivity and love, creating a space where people of all nationalities, beliefs, and preferences felt safe and supported.”
Their first major activity, the National Youth Day Harinam on June 16th, 1999, set the tone for what KBYG would become. “We had amazing attendance for the Harinam, which ended in a park with a feast and socializing,” Kartik recalled. “Our intentions were always genuine. We wanted to challenge the status quo and create something meaningful.”
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