ISKCON Organizes "ENVIRO 2011" Conference

BY: GOPAL GAURA GURU DASA

Mar 21, 2011 — COIMBATORE, INDIA (SUN) —

The Bhaktivedanta Academy, the educational wing of ISKCON Coimbatore, on March 11th organized "ENVIRO 2011" – the First Conference on the Youth and Environment at GRD auditorium, PSG College of Arts & Science as a pioneering effort in bringing the attention of youth and citizens in general on one of the most critical issue we face today - the rapid changes in climate and its consequences.

The Conference had 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winning IPCC Chairman Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri as Chief Guest. His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Swami, Director of Bhaktivedanta Academy & President ISKCON Coimbatore, Dr. N Krishnakumar, Director and Chief Conservator of Forests IFGTB, Coimbatore, Shri Shankar Vanavarayar, National Chairman of CII Young Indians were present. Shri. G. Rangaswamy, Managing Trustee of PSG Institutions warmly welcomed Dr. Pachauri on his arrival.

Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri in his keynote address "Youth as Recipients of the Legacy of Environmental Crisis" brought out clear insights to the Climatic concerns faced today such as Food insecurity and Global Warming. With elaborate statistics supporting various viewpoints, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri inspired youth to bring alternate lifestyle techniques to make world a better place to live in. He reminded the audience that a tangible external change in climate is directly dependent on our readiness to simplify our needs. He urged youth be the change like Gandhiji mentioned and asked them to initiate the process as vanguards of the future. He concluded by reading a verse from the Bhagavad Gita.

His Holiness Bhakti Vinoda Swami in his presentation "Intelligent living - The lost art of Simple Living & High Thinking - Indian Ethos" impressively brought out the ancient Indian culture and its time tested principles of living in close harmony with nature. Expanding on Dr. Pachauri's words, Maharaja traced the underlying cause of all environmental issues to today's misguided, materialistic system of education where economic benefit alone is deified as the goal of all human activity. In contrast, the traditional Vedic model of education is aimed at solving the problems of life and becoming happy through "simple living and high thinking". Extensive quotes of ISKCON Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada were used by Maharaja with the Bhagavad Gita as reference in understanding the tripartite dynamic relationship of Man, God and Nature. In a letter to his disciples at Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK (dated July 27,1973) Srila Prabhupada had stated that all external problems are manifestations of a deeper, more fundamental problem:

"Therefore our conclusion was that the real problem is not over-population or pollution, malnutrition etc., but the actual problem is Godlessness."

(Unbeknownst to most participants at the Conference, a massive earthquake and tsunami were wreaking havoc in another part of the world during the same time, further confirming Srila Prabhupada's statement that without being truly God-centered, humanity will face certain trouble.)

Following Srila Prabhupada's clear conclusion, Maharaja emphatically stated that a life lived on nature's gifts in God consciousness is the real need of the hour. Explaining the story of Prithu Maharaja from the Bhagavata Purana, he delineated a special understanding of finite and infinite resources. He concluded that there shall be no scarcity or want of resources if people would only agree to obey God's laws.

This was followed by student presentations on the subject.

The Conference included an interesting panel discussion with active participation from over 900 enthusiastic students from 33 colleges from various parts of Tamilnadu and Kerala. Dr. Krishnakumar answered queries on forest preservation while Shankar Vanavarayar answered questions pertaining to the future of Business and industry in the light of the environmental crisis. Dr. Pachauri and HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami also answered many eager students on Climatic change, inner awareness & spiritual wisdom. Students got to see a series of short films on the ills of modern day living that has over-consumption and wastefulness as its hallmarks.

Winners of Essay and Poster Design competitions conducted as part of the event were also felicitated. Video shows, gifts of a T-shirt & DVD and a sumptuous organic prasadam lunch added to the attraction.

ENVIRO 2011 mementos and gifts of Srila Prabhupada's books were offered to the dignitaries on stage. The event was covered prominently in all the Newspapers and local TV channels.

The working team notably consisted of Bhakta Krishnakumar who led the organization effort while Gopal Gaura Guru dasa and Achyuta Gopinatha dasa coordinated the student enrollments and the competitions. Madhu Gopal dasa, Shyama Gopa dasa, Sankarshana Gaura dasa, Sangini Visakha devi dasi & team, Madhupati dasa, Bhakta Dilip Rajkumar and Bhakta Purnakumar helped in miscellaneous services with assistance from many other devotees and volunteers. The Academy records its gratefulness to all these wonderful souls who helped the event selflessly.

Dr. Pachauri appreciated the role of the Bhaktivedanta Academy in bringing cultural and ecological awareness among the younger generation. In a post event note to HH Bhakti Vinoda Maharaja he wrote:

"It was a great privilege to be part of the event that you had organized on "Youth as recipients of the legacy of environmental crisis". I was greatly impressed and deeply moved by all that I saw on the occasion, and it was a privilege to spend time with you."

The Academy is looking forward to organize ENVIRO 2012 based on a different theme within the umbrella issue of the Environmental crisis.

Devotees interested in this conference can contact HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami at bvs@pamho.net.

http://www.enviroconference.info

NOTE:
The Bhaktivedanta Academy was set up in 2001 at Coimbatore to systematically educate devotees and people in general with timeless teachings of Vedic knowledge as given in the texts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Since then the Academy has branched into educational programs for the congregation, College students, School children and Corporates. This Conference is the first of its kind in a new effort to use the environmental crisis as a platform for furthering dialogue and seeking solutions to the real issues facing humanity in the next few decades.

Photos of the event are available at Picasa and Flickr.