'Sing, Dance and Pray': VP Naidu Releases Biography Of ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada

Addressing a gathering after releasing the book, Naidu urged the youngsters to take inspiration from seers and spiritual masters and imbibe virtues like discipline, hard work, patience and empathy.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu

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New Delhi: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday released the biography of ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada titled “Sing, Dance and Pray” at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas, news agency ANI reported. The book has been authored by Dr Hindol Sengupta. According to a press release issued by the VP’s Secretariat, Naidu said that the Indian civilisation stands for the universal values of unity, peace and social harmony, and called for a “spiritual renaissance” to preserve and propagate the values.

While addressing a gathering after releasing the book, Naidu urged the youngsters to take inspiration from seers and spiritual masters such as Swami Prabhupada and imbibe virtues like discipline, hard work, patience and empathy.

“You must always rise above narrow considerations of caste, gender, religion and region and work for bringing unity, harmony and peace in society,” ANI quoted the VP as saying.

Crediting Prabhupada with the popularisation of The Bhagavad Gita’s message across the world, Naidu called him one of the greatest ambassadors of India’s cultural heritage.

“Our scripture The Bhagavad Gita provides insightful solutions to all the problems of human existence, ranging from approaches to liberation from suffering, to self-realisation and attaining moksha or salvation, to the nature and significance of dharma to the overriding importance of action, devotion and a wide array of other philosophical questions,” he said.

Calling Prabhupada the torchbearer of egalitarian thought, Naidu said that he embraced those discarded by society and brought joy and fulfilment to their lives.

The Vice President further appreciated the efforts of Madhu Pandit Das, President of ISKCON, Bengaluru in carrying forward his Guru’s mission.

Congratulating Dr Hindol Sengupta and ISKCON Bangalore for publishing the book, the Vice President termed it a fitting tribute to Srila Prabhupada on his 125th birth anniversary.

Notably, President of ISKCON Bangalore and Chairman of Akshaya Patra Madhu Pandit Dasa, Vice-Chairman Chanchalapathi Dasa, author of the book and historian, Dr Hindol Sengupta, devotees from ISKCON among others were present during the book launch ceremony.