Hema Malini Triggers Floods Of Funds For ISKCON’s Naperville Temple
By Jatinder Singh Bedi, Chief Editor, Hello NRI
CHICAGO – Under the leadership of Advisory Committee headed by Ms Neelam Dwivedi, the ISKCON Naperville raised over $500,000 at Ashyana’s glittering gala banquet that India’s iconic legend Ms Hema Malini presided. She was there at behest of Ms Sangita Kapoor. The 15 May 2022 fundraiser is to benefit Naperville–based new ISKCON Temple’s third phase construction.
ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Governing Body Commissioner His Grace Anuttma Das; Board of Trustees Belgium-based Bhaktivedanta College, Her Grace Rukmani Devi Dasi; President of the ISKCON Naperville Her Grace Premananda Devi Dasi, President of the ISKCON Naperville; Ms Hema Malini’s relative Ms Prabha Raghavan, and many of Chicago’s who’s-who were present amongst 500 guests who attended.
At this extremely well organized banquet, ISKCON Naperville teams were seen respectfully conducting the guests within the venue. As the meet-n-greet continued, intensely energetic musical ensemble comprising Dhananjay Kunte, Carlos Basile, Greg Nergard, Saraswati Ranganath, and Juan kept the audience mesmerized with their hypnotic rendition. As Mr Shyam Kumar-led reception committee received Chief Guest Ms Hema Malini, the guests within announced her arrival with loud cries of “Dream Girl.” Multimedia presentations introducing ISKCON Organization, ISKCON Naperville Temple, and Ms Hema Malini were played.
Ms Manju Gupta welcomed Ms Hema Malini with an exquisite scarlet Banarasi shawl woven with golden Zari brocade. Mr Pravin Kumar welcome HG Anuttma Das with a bouquet. Ninety Three Year Old Ms Malti Loomba, former Director of School Education with the Government of Punjab (India) read to Ms Hema Malini an instantaneously written appreciation note.
Escorted by Mr Shyam Kumar Ms Hema Malini arrives at the ISKCON Naperville Gala Banquet at the Ashyana Banquet Hall.
Addressing the audience, Mr Anuttama Das stated that in this conflict-ridden age, there is an emergent need to re-spiritualize the society. “The sense of kindness and humanity is decreasing world over. The [ISKCON Naperville] temple that you are building is to turn that around,” he said. “When we learn to live together with the God at the center, then we can actually be peaceful. And this is the purpose of ISKCON Society,” HG Anuttama das explained.
HG Anuttama Das further explained that the “idea behind this temple conforms to the seven purposes that Srila Prabhupada listed.” Human being has been reduced to a video game. “To address its root cause, we need to change people’s consciousness. That’s where spirituality is needed. When we understand that we are spiritual beings, the rivalry goes down. Here he highlighted determined efforts of then 70-year-old Srila Prabhupada who had sailed to US, Africa; and to Russia to spread spiritualty.
Earlier, while welcoming the guests, Her Grace Premananda Devi Dasi, President of the ISKCON Naperville, recited a dialouge between Krishna and Udhava from Srimad Bhagavatam that encourages that the rich and pious individuals to build temples and gardens for the pleasure of deities. “In return the Lord is so much pleased as he grants transcendental form like his own to such individuals,” she said. She cited this as “a guarantee to the supporters of ISKCON Naperville.” She also narrated two of the seven purposes of ISKCON to explain the need for the new temple. First she said the two purposes call for developing a system to propagate spiritual knowledge and the techniques of spirituality. Secondly, she also it calls for erecting holy places of transcendental pastime dedicated to godliness.
Mr Shyam Kumar and Nag Jaiswal presented the details of the temple construction. It be mentioned that the ISKCON Naperville Temple encompasses four phases of construction. Phase 1: Land Purchase for $900,000; Phase 2: Site Development for $950,000; Phase 3: Main Temple Complex Construction for $5,400,000; Phase 4: Pujari Room & Govinda’s Kitchen for $2,000,000. Of this Phase 1 and Phase 2 have been completed. Fundraising efforts are on for the Phase 3.
ISKCON’s purposes and its temple initiatives were also emphasized by Ms Hema Malini. Addressing the audience Ms Hema Mailin said that Srila Prabhupada’s aggressive spread of Krishna’ philosophy has led to building of over 2000 ISKCON temples worldwide. “I have myself visited almost all of the overseas temples be it in Fiji, England, USA, Australia, or South Africa,” she said, and added, “little did Srila Prabhupada know that his message carries a worldwide acceptance.” He simplified the meaning of ‘Hare Krishna’ for the world, Ms Hema Malini explained.
Ninety Three Year Old Ms Malti Loomba, former Director of School Education with the Government of Punjab reads to Ms Hema Malini an appreciation note. Also seen are HG Anuttma Das and Ms Prabha Raghavan.
Ms Hema Malini also emphasized her indelible connection with Lord Krishna through the Indian cities of Mathura and Vrindavan where-from she is the 2nd time Member of Parliament. She explained several of her initiatives in her constituency to upgrade the infrastructure to enhance local pilgrimage. Improvement of the 8-Kos Parikrama was one such example she cited. Ms Hema Malini was all praises for her political heads to include India Prime Minister Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath.
She said that being a dancer she has produced several dance ballets from Krishna’s life. These include: Radha Raas Behari, Yashoda Krishna, Draupadi, etc. “Having performed those ballets, I feel Lord Krishna is my friend,” Ms Hema Malini said. Describing herself as an Actress, a Dancer, and a Politician, Ms Hema Malini said that she has also been a singer and produced an album on Hindu Bhajans. This includes Chaitanya’s composition Siksastakam that Ms Anjali Dayal has composed.
Ms Hema Malini profusely thanked Ms Sangita Kapoor for having coordinated and facilitated her visit to the ISKCON Naperville Gala Banquet that evening. “It would not have been possible for me to be here, this evening, but for [the efforts of] Sangeeta [Kapoor],” Ms Hema Malini acknowledged. “Sangeeta has been trying for last two years; and now she saw to it that I am here. Thankyou Sangeeta,” Ms Hema Malini said.
Ms Manju Gupta presents Ms Hema Malini an exquisite scarlet shawl woven with golden Zari.
In acknowledgement, Ms Sangeeta Kapoor stated, “I am touched with Ms Hema Malini’s humility. Her devotion to Krishna that has brought her here from India.” We are doing this fundraiser for a very good cause; it is the best thing to do.”
“We routinely hanker after money and fame and accumulate a lot of stress. It adversely affects our soul. This stress cannot be treated in hospitals. The temples are the hospitals to our soul,” said Ms Sangeeta Kapoor. “Soul is treated in spiritual environment that the temples provide; hence the need to build temples,” She explained.
Later, Mr Shyam Kumar and Mr Nag Jaiswal presented the details of the temple construction. It be mentioned that the ISKCON Naperville Temple encompasses four phases of construction. Phase 1: Land Purchase for $900,000; Phase 2: Site Development for $950,000; Phase 3: Main Temple Complex Construction for $5,400,000; Phase 4: Pujari Room & Govinda’s Kitchen for $2,000,000. Of this Phase 1 and Phase 2 have been completed. Fundraising efforts are on for the Phase 3.
Spearheading this fundraising campaign, Mr Shyam Kumar encouraged the guest to open their wallets and donate. “Those who have donated may not be richest of the rich; but they do have a large heart,” said Mr Shyam Kumar as he sought donations from the attendees. At the banquet, aggressively persuasive Mr Shyam Kumar collected over $500,000 in no time.
A section of audience at ISKCON Naperville Gala Banquet.
Individual photo-op with Star Hema Malini, was another delightful highlight of the evening. The confusion-free event moved with an hour-clock precision.
The evening concluded with an elaborate vegetarian dinner which was well appreciated by all the guests. The confusion-free event moved with an hour-clock precision.
To see the events pictures, visit website https://www.iskconnaperville.org/new-temple-project/media/
ISKCON Naperville invites everyone to visit temple and Sunday program starts at 5 PM with Kirtan and ends with Free Prasadam at 6.30 PM. ISKCON Temple request everyone to help build this temple by making a small donation by visiting the website https://www.iskconnaperville.org/