By Nitai Madhav Das
The ICC Book Distribution Committee successfully organized the Bharat Sankirtan Leaders Sanga on the 23rd and 24th of September 2025 at ISKCON NVCC, Pune. Around 150 devotees — temple sankirtan leaders, senior book distributors, and preachers — gathered from all over India. The atmosphere was filled with devotion, enthusiasm, and gratitude as devotees came together with one purpose: to strengthen Śrīla Prabhupāda’s book distribution mission and keep the sankirtan spirit alive in every temple.
Many participants shared how much this sanga encouraged them. Over the years, as more focus shifted to congregation preaching, youth programs, and fundraising, many full-time sankirtan devotees had begun to feel left behind. This gathering gave them fresh hope and strength. They expressed deep gratitude to the organizers, saying they now felt reconnected and valued in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission once again.
A special highlight was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Bhima Das (ACBSP) for his decades of selfless service in book distribution. His humility and lifelong dedication towards the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books moved everyone. Other senior devotees reminded all present how one devotee’s tireless effort can ignite the fire of sankirtan in countless others.
The Sanga also featured an inspiring panel on “Making Book Distribution Central and Mainstream in Temples” facilitated by Nitai Madhava Das, with Sahadeva Das, Mohanrupa Das, Baladeva Das, Sitaram Das Sriram Das, Kalanath Caitanya Das and others being on the panel, giving solutions to challenges that devotees face in making sankirtan mainstream. They discussed how leadership by example, better training, and genuine care for distributors can revive the sankirtan spirit. Devotees were reminded that book distribution is not just about numbers — it is an act of devotion that pleases Śrīla Prabhupāda and transforms hearts.
HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj also shared his deep desire to revive the traditional Bullock Cart Sankirtan Party along with travelling sankirtan bus preaching, reaching rural India with kirtan, books, and prasadam. “Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted us to go village to village,” Maharaj said, “and this vision must live on.” His words deeply touched everyone, and many leaders expressed their desire to start similar efforts in their regions.
The two-day Sanga ended with heartfelt renewed determination. Devotees left feeling spiritually recharged, united in purpose, and inspired to carry on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s order — to distribute his books profusely and make the world Krishna conscious. With strong organization, caring leadership, and unwavering conviction, book distribution will once again shine as the living heartbeat of ISKCON, spreading the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to every town and village. Special gratitude was expressed to the ICC Book Distribution Committee for leading this effort and organising such an event.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=116218
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