10/05/1998 - 2321

Breakthrough in Vrindavana

India (VNN) - by Swami Paramadvaiti

Since the days of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada bringing hiswestern followers to Vrindavana 40 years have passed. Srila Prabhupadarequested all of his disciples in those early days to do Braja Seva,service to the Holy Abode of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Hayagriva Prabhuquoted Srila Prabhupada : Clean the Dhama, Fix the broken buildings andreestablish the deity worship. Ever since many things have taken place,the WVA had started the adopt a temple program and several old dilapidatedtemples were turned into beautiful lively centers where the sadhus canmeet from all over the world.

The Vrindavana Emergency Committee, Friends of Vrindavana and theVrindavana Dhama Seva Committee all pushed in different ways to serve thepurpose. Friends of Vrindavana should be given much respect for theenvironmental consciousness they transmitted and for cleaning the streetsof Vrindavana. The Vrindavana Institute for Vaishnava Culture and Studies(Vrinda) and the Bhaktisiddhanta World Mission had created much publicityin the community towards the needs of Vrindavana and the Kesi Ghat and theYamuna festival of 1997 assembled dignitaries from all over to address theurgent issues.

What is happening now is an unexpected success to all of us. TheGovernment of India Through the Mathura Vrindavana Development Committeeand the Yamuna Action Plan has put the urgent issues in the hand of thecourt. Their immediate goals are no more Yamuna pollution, (Pass stool onthe Yamuna go to jail for two Days) no more noise pollution, recycling ofwaste, and the preservation of antique buildings. The assistant of thedistrict magistrate office inspected the restored buildings of the WorldVaisnava Association adopt a temple project. On the 15th of October theDistrict Magistrate invites all interested parties to propose their idesfor the further development of Vrindavana. He also requested the WVA tohelp with the development of the Vrindavana Internet Homepage.

Since Vrindavana is not only a historical heritage of humanity but also athriving place of pilgrimage for Krisna Bhaktas from all over the world,The development of Vrindavana has importance for the up-liftment ofSanatana Dharma. The Government has granted 5 Crores of Rupees to startthe project and their is also a plan to involve financing from privateparties for specific projects.

Swami Paramadvaiti

World Vaisnava AssociationSecretary