Mayapur, West Bengal, Feb 18: Amid chants and devotional songs in the spiritual town of Mayapur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined thousands of devotees to mark the 152nd birth anniversary of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur.
The gathering was not just a ceremonial event. It was a reminder of how faith, discipline and service continue to shape lives across generations.
Speaking at the celebration, Shah reflected on how Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur and his disciple A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada carried forward the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, taking devotion beyond temple walls and into everyday life. He said their work helped connect spirituality with modern society, making ancient teachings relevant for today’s youth.
For many present, the highlight was the message that faith and progress can go hand in hand. Shah noted that Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur broke rigid traditions and showed that modern tools — like the printing press — could be used to spread spiritual knowledge worldwide.
He also praised the global work of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which today runs food distribution drives, schools, hospitals and disaster relief efforts in addition to spreading the teachings of the Gita.
As the sun set over Mayapur, the focus shifted from speeches to a larger message — that devotion is not only about prayer, but also about service to society. Shah expressed hope that the grand spiritual centre being developed in Mayapur will become a place where people from across the world come together in the spirit of peace and welfare.
For the devotees gathered there, it was more than a commemorative event. It was a celebration of a legacy that continues to inspire faith, discipline and compassion in everyday life.
