Mayors Visit Bhaktivedanta Manor
By Romapada Dasa

12 March, Watford. The Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Audrey Attwood praised the Hare Krishna movement for the feeling of tolerance and peace cultivated in its temples all over the world. She said this during a visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor on 11 March to celebrate the festival of Holi and Gaura Purnima. She was accompanied by the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood, Jean Haywood.

Both Mayors were honored with garlands, after which they performed an arati for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda from outside the Deity room gates. While addressing the audience, Mayor Attwood expressed her concerns on how family values were of paramount importance in society today.

Praising the contribution made by Radha Mohan Dasa to the Holocaust Memorial Day, she added, 'No one should be persecuted for their belief. Everyone is entitled to respect dignity and love. I am aware of a feeling of tolerance and peace in Hare Krishna temples and it is obvious that there is the need to continue education of your children in your belief. I can therefore appreciate your wish to have your own school. I certainly believe that there should be schools dedicated to fostering the moral values of each society within the limits of the law of the land.'

Cllr Jean Haywood pointed out that education was an important part of a successful community. She said that educating young people to encourage tolerance and understanding of other people's desires, needs and religious belief will help break down the walls of intolerance. She added, 'I understand the Hare Krishna movement is dedicated to religious and racial harmony. It is hard to think of a more worthy aim in this troubled times and we must all welcome such ideas.'

The author explained to the Mayors that Hare Krishna centers were one of the world's largest distributors of free food to the homeless. He explained that Srila Prabhupada did not want any person within a ten-mile radius of a Hare Krishna temple to go hungry, and ordered his disciples to feed the hungry with sanctified vegetarian food. Mayor Attwood responded by saying that an ideal solution to the world's economic problems would be to build a Hare Krishna temple within every ten-mile radius on the planet.

The Mayors also praised the relief work carried out by Hare Krishna volunteers after the Indian earthquake and the Manor's achievement of raising £45,000 for the relief work.

© CHAKRA 14 March 2001

Go to the “Other News Page”