By Nkosinathi Ntuli
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness, better known as the Hare Krishna Movement, turned 50, last month. The Rising Sun has therefore decided to take a closer look at its achievements and the impact they have on society. Residents have all seen devotees along the streets wearing a doti, sari, tilaka and chanting Hare Krishna with an assortment of instruments including the mrdanga and kartalas. ISCKON has a sister organisation called Food For Life Global, which over a period of 50 years has distributed over three billion plates of vegetarian food. The food is said to be spiritual or karma-free, nourishing both the body and soul because it is first offered to Krishna (God). This is how the movement makes its contribution to curbing the poverty of the stomach, mind and the soul globally. In Durban alone, more than 10, 000 plates of food are distributed a day in schools, rural communities and to the homeless.