Krsnanandini Dasi: On Saturday, September 24, the Cleveland Nama Hatta Program, an affiliate of ISKCON, sponsored a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s coming to the west. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude for the devotees and well-wishers who contributed to the the success of this special event.
Mother Malati joined us with her unique brand of wit, work and wisdom; she shined on our Interfaith Panel and Prayer for Peace section, which was a hit of the celebration. Vrajalila Devi & Ekavira Prabhus just emanated cooperation, intelligence and devotion in their roles of Panel participant and Kirtan leader; Alicia Ambika Dasi Pascal devi, with so much love, along with her beautiful niece Shani, came all the way from New York to dazzle the audience with her BharatNatyam dance.
Sankirtana Prabhu, (Master storyteller, Andy Fraenkel, from New Vrndavan), patiently endured the technical difficulties to present a wonderful audio/visual offering of the Mahabharata and the history of Prabhupada’s contributions and the establishment of ISKCON.
The awesome teamship of the Nama Hatters like Sri Isopanisad, Agni-hotra & Avadhuta, Paurnamasi & Bhakta Mike, Tulasi & Sirrhan, Prashanti, Parvati Dasi, Lilasmaranam, Tariq Prabhu, Akhilananda & Jean, Ganga Sarasvati, Krsna-Jivani, Lola, Turiya, Sowmya and Hari, Mohan Dasabey, Visnu Ziyad, Kat Rasta, Dayal-Nitai, Ganga & Vrajendrananda, Jahanavi and Prasadat Iluvme Devi, Vani & Brahma bhuta, (Radica & Khrishna and Nishant Soni Prabhus were absent but very much present by their support and love) and others like Laksmi (LaToya Kent) who set the tone so effectively with her Yoga demonstration—left the audience marveling at how well everyone cooperated together, with courtesy and eagerness to serve.
The Christian ministers: Pastors C. Jay Matthews (Mt. Sinai Ministries) and James Roberson (Cory United Methodist Church) and the two Imams Akmed Saeed (Masjid Bilal) and Imam Abbas (First Cleveland Mosque) gave some thought-provoking and heart touching responses to our questions about why and how servants of the One God should work together on the Interfaith Panel.
Master Mayo from Northern Wind Martial Arts School had the attentive audience applauding as he and his young son demonstrated some martial arts techniques.
Finally, the extensive, delicious, vegetarian feast and bake sale, prepared and offered with love by AgniHotra Dasi, Kamagiri dasi, Krsnanandini dasi, Lilasmaranam Prabhu, Avadhuta Dasa Kibble Prabhu, Paurnamasi Turkal, Krsna-Jivani Ziyad, Lola Reeder, Indrani Bhattacharya, Sowmya Thirumoorthy and Dayal Nitai (Don Foose)– was relished by all.
“The only thing wrong with the program was that it was not long enough!” Mother Kamagiri
“Everyone left the celebration feeling inspired and happy.” a guest, giving feedback.