Goshalla goes to Public Inquiry

In October 2004, Bhaktivedanta Manor's Estate Development Committee (EDC)
submitted to the local Council Planning department a revised application of a design for the Goshalla farm buildings. The scheme was to accommodate 44 cows and bullocks.

The Council procrastinated in dealing with this application and ISKCON
appealed on non-determination. ISKCON further submitted an Outline Application
for the Goshalla to try to establish the principle and to extract an idea from the
Council what size of farm buildings they considered were appropriate, but
this was also rejected. As a result, the Public Inquiry was set for 10th-13th January 2006.

For many months the Council's Planning Department did not take up the
temple's offer to meet up and discuss the appeals or an alternative way
forward. It was only last September that the temple along with its agricultural
consultant began a series of meetings with the Planning Officers and their
agricultural consultant. Some progress was made and the EDC hoped to put off
the Inquiry to allow more time for a negotiated resolution, but the government
office dealing with planning appeals would not allow a postponement. So, the
EDC was obliged to go head to head in a Public Inquiry to defend both the Detailed and the Outline applications.

At the Public Inquiry, our barrister, David Altaras, presented the case for
Bhaktivedanta Manor and called the following witnesses:
Syamasundar das, head of the Goshalla project at Bhaktivedanta Manor;
Peter Trevelyan, of ABT Planning & Highways Consultancy; Tony Kernon, an agricultural consultant; Akhandadhi das, representing the design; Christopher Higenbottam, an architect covering issues of Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas; and Moira Hankinson, a landscape, ecological and environmental planning expert.

We were pleased and heartened how well each of them put forward the
reasonable arguments for the need for the new farm buildings and how they would
be an improvement to the estate.

Unfortunately, four days were not enough to complete the Inquiry and we must
return for one final day on 20th February to hear Hertsmere's last witness and
the closing statements from both sides. The Inspector may then take 3-6
months to reach a decision and we hope we will be able to bring you good news
in due course.

The Manor’s team of experts and consultants

Jammin’ with Santa

Over 150 youths attended a special Christmas party on the 26th December which included a special devotee version of Cinderella. In the story Cinderella lacks the enthusiasm to go on a Harinama chanting party, so her 'Fairy-God Mentor’ takes her on a journey to see the Harrow Jammin’ Team and the East London Jammin’ Team, where she learns something which inspires her. The play climaxed when young devotee Jagannath-suta (‘Jaggi’) sang a song about the Pandava Sena with his guitar! During the party there was also a comedy slide show of the Pandava Sena awards, with also serious awards to acknowledge those who have make substantial contribution to Pandava Sena in 2005. The first ever showing of GhostBhaktas was a big success, meeting with rave reviews from all quarters! After a yearly review slide show and a feast, there was kirtan until 11pm.

And- - as a special Christmas surprise, senior devotee Kripamoya das delivered everyone a special Christmas message dressed as Santa!

Mother Vrinda

Is it with great sadness that we report the passing of Mother Vrinda. She left this world on the evening of Friday 6th January 2006 after being hit by a car in Kampala, Uganda.

Mother Vrinda, an English disciple of Mahavishnu Swami, was a great example of humility, dedication and selflessness. She met ISKCON devotees for the first time in the 1980's in Exeter and soon dedicated her life to the service of Lord Krishna. Generous at heart she offered her time, money, words, thoughts and actions to Krishna, exemplifying the principle of sacrifice. She joined Tribhuvananth prabhu and his festival team as they travelled the country.

Mother Vrinda travelled to East Africa each year with the festival crew. After Tribhuvananth departed from this world in 2002, she took up the responsibility of running a centre and orphanage in Kampala. Even though she was in her 60's, she was never one to sit back and relax. She would always be found worshipping, cooking, running temples, booking festivals, advertising, collecting funds-- she was determined to do whatever was necessary to spread Krishna Consciousness.

A jolly and perfect lady. she inspired thsoe around her. She left this world engaged in her vital service, yet devotees in the UK and Africa are saddened at their loss. On 10th January a well-attended memorial service was held at Bhaktivedanta Manor, with musical and spoken offerings in her appreciation.

Russian Hindus Campaign launched at Commons

British Parliamentarians and national Hindu organizations are launching the Defend Russian Hindus Campaign at the House of Commons on 18th January. The aim is to inform the world of the continued harassment of Russian Hindus by selected members of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Mayor of Moscow.

Readers may remember the front-page feature in the previous Newsletter (ref December 2005 edition) that described the worldwide outrage at the comments of Archbishop Nikon who described Lord Krishna in unacceptable terms. Russian Hindus continue to be denied the right to build a temple and practising Hindus have been left without electricity, heating and water in ISKCON’s freezing makeshift Moscow temple.

The launch of the Campaign is hosted by Ashok Kumar MP, and will be attended by Parliamentary delegates including Baroness Flather, Lord Dholakia, civil servants, Foreign Office officials, Hindu leaders and representatives of the Jewish, Christian and other faith communities.

The Campaign plans to lead an interfaith delegation to the Russian Embassy in London and a Parliamentary delegation to Moscow later in the year to meet representatives of the Russian Government and the Orthodox Church. The Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, is visiting London from 13th January and the launch of the Campaign co-insides roughly with his visit to London.

The issue being raised by the Campaign is about prejudice against Hindus in Russia today. The ISKCON case is a good example of this. However, the issue has general significance because it is about freedom and the right to worship. Some of the aims of the Campaign include:

* Raise awareness of the plight of Russian devotees, and the Hindu community as a whole
* Encourage community leaders, media and political leaders in Britain and beyond to put pressure on Russia to act favorably towards Hindus.
* Create media interest in the subject

In the next edition of the Newsletter we will include an up-to-date report.

What you can do:

Please support the campaign by sending your letters of protest by email to the following:
• Mayor of Moscow: mayor@mos.ru
• Russian Orthodox Church: commserv@mospat.dol.ru
• President Putin:
Website submissions using:
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/articles/send_letter_Eng1a.shtml
• All Party Parliamentary Group on Russia (UK): contact@tonylloydmp.co.uk

For information contact: Defend Russian Hindus, Unit 3, 861, Coronation Road, Park Royal, London NW10 7PT at
info@hincom.org or 020 8965 0671

Spiritual leader Bhakti Vijnana Swami is at the forefront of the Russian campaign.

Ashok Kumar MP