Kalmakanda is town situated in the Netrakona District in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The Hindu population is in the minority here. Devotees from ISKCON Netrakona have been preaching in Kalmakanda on a weekly basis for the last six years. There are currently 25 initiated devotees and also many practicing college students.
On the 10th of April 2017, devotees from Kalmakanda organised a seminar entitled ‘Seeking the Real Happiness’ at an auditorium in Kalmakanda. The program was attended by around 600 individuals many of whom were working professionals. The chief guest of the program was HG Shyamasundarananda das (Pujari and Lecturer, ISKCON Mayapur). Other invited guests were Gopal das (Spain) and Nila Kamal das (UK).
The event started with a melodious kirtan by Gopal das. Thereafter the series of lectures began. Gopal das spoke of how the happiness in the Western civilisation is simply a mirage. ‘The needs of the body are being met but the needs of the soul are being neglected.’ Following this, Nila Kamal das delivered a short speech on the life of Srila Prabhupada. He spoke on how Srila Prabhupada gave an opportunity for every single person, regardless of cast or creed, an opportunity to become truly happy by giving them the gift of Krishna Consciousness.
After this, the main speaker of the event; Shyamasundarananda das delivered his speech. Touching on various different subject matters, he especially stressed how the Bhagavad Gita is a law book for the whole humanity to follow, not just ‘Hindus’ or ‘Indians’ etc and how that this process of Krishna Consciousness is the way to find real lasting happiness. Following the lecture, the discussion was thrown to the audience with an interactive question and answer session. This lasted for more than half an hour with the audience on the edges if their seats’ eager to learn more.
Gopal das then lead an ecstatic kirtan with the audience dancing and singing in bliss. To conclude the program, delicious kitchari prasad was distributed to all who attended.
We would like to thank each and every devotee who helped in organising this program. Special thanks goes to the youth of Kalmakanda who sacrificed their valuable time and energy in order for this program to turn out successful. Last but not least we would like to seek the blessings of the Vaisnava community to hold a grand first Ratha Yatra celebration here in Kalmakanda. The tentative date is the 15th of Decmeber 2017.
We hope that Srila Prabhupada is pleased in our attempts to preach the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in every town and village.
For more pictures click here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1634956896534317.1073741847.100000600678753&type=3
Comments