IPS New Years Eve Extravaganza

Hare Krishna!

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupad!

First of all I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! Yes yes I know it's a little late but I hope you had a good one!

New years Eve is by far the most extravagantly celebrated night around the world! This year, ISKCON Pandava Sena decided it should be no different for the devotees as we took over Bhaktivedanta Manor...ONCE AGAIN!

Devotees got there early to help with the decoration of the temple room. Thank you very much to both Kanchan Mataji and Toni Prabhu for being so eager to help and co-ordinate. Moving the ladder in and out of the crowds that had gathered early and experimenting with the balloon net all added to the fun as we awaited the evening's party!

The evening began with a 'Youth Interactive' programme facilitated by Sandeep Prabhu. Sandeep, as usual, connected great with the youth audience, got them involved in group activities/discussions and inspired them all to write out a Krishna Conscious New Year's Resolution and sign up to IPS - HARIBOL! A few of them have even attended Jammings! Thank you to Sandeep Prabhu for facilitating such a fun and informative event for the youth.

The night was energised by Powerful Kirtan as several PS devotees sang and played their hearts out for the happiness of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda and Srila Prabhupad! Thank you to Vijay Prabhu for co-ordinating and organising such wonderful kirtan and thank you to all the devotees who sang and played, for creating such a fascinating energy - The crowds could not stay static for long and were soon jumping and dancing ecstatically to the holy name!

Halfway through the night we took a break to be blessed by the words of His Grace Shruti Dharma Prabhu and once again Sandeep Prabhu! Shruti Dharma Prabhu and Sandeep Prabhu addressed the whole congregation speaking on the importance of Krishna Consciousness in the modern world today and how we are so fortunate to be a part of this revolutionary and unique movement! The talks were very well received as devotees were seated all the way out into the reception room where we had the live link set-up due to demand! Thank you so much to Shruti Dharma Prabhu for his constant support towards Pandava Sena and his words that I am sure have brought us valuable realisations. Thank you once again to Sandeep Prabhu who continues to inspire and encourage us.

Kirtans were then enjoyed throughout the night as devotees chanted the names of the Lord! Five minutes before 12.00 we closed the curtains. The kirtans got louder and more powerful, everyone wanting to once again see the beautiful Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda! The curtains opened and there was an explosion of confetti, balloons and bubbles. Yes, bubbles were all around the altar! The supporting nets were cut as a sky of balloons rained onto the devotees. We would like to thank the Manor for allowing us to open the Deity curtains at 12.00 which allowed us to see their Lordships the first in the New Year!

Dilraj Prabhu was the drive behind the event. He was the one to come up with the initial ideas for the entertainment and programmes for the evening. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dilraj Prabhu for his enthusiasm to make the New Years Eve event so special for all of us who were there.

I would also like to thank all the PS devotees that came on the evening to support and be a part of the New Years Eve programme. Without you the programme would not have been this successful! Thank you for dancing, co-ordinating, preaching, cleaning - EVERYONE had a part to play!

This event represented the strength and unity of ISKCON Pandava Sena! Together we were able to touch the hearts of hundreds of people, by encouraging them to dance and chant the holy name we were all engaged in the service of Srila Prabhupad and Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda! We should go into 2007, the new year with this mood to serve collectively and enthusiastically! We should continue to inspire our friends in PS and continue to attract others to the process as we have experienced the happiness it brings. Together with the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda and Srila Prabhupad we are capable of great things. The decision of whether or not to open the curtains at midnight went all the way to ISKCON GBC!

We are all very fortunate and blessed to be part of such a dynamic youth group that has so much potential! We must all stay enthused for Srila Prabupad and the mission, we have a lot to do, but it is possible!

If you have any ideas for future events or would like to make any suggestions or comments please feel free to contact me. I hope to be engaged in your service very soon!

Hare Krishna

Your aspiring servant

J