To mark the 125th birth anniversary of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami, a Kolkata-born spiritual leader and founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), PM Modi will be releasing a 125-rupees coin on Thursday. This move comes after the day of Janmashtami, Lord Krishna’s birthday.
A statement from PM Modi’s office stated that he will release a special commemorative coin of Rs 125 and will also address the gathering on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on 1st September 2021 at 4.30 pm via video conferencing.
Union minister of culture G Kishan Reddy will also be present on the occasion.
Background of Bhaktivedanta Swami
Born in 1896, AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is an author besides establishing temples. He graduated in chemistry from Scottish Church College in Kolkata (then Calcutta_, following which he married, had children and started a pharmacy business, which he quit to become a monk in 1959.
Later on, after moving to the US, he disseminated Vedic literature. Nearly 100 ashrams, gurukuls, temples, and farmhouses are believed to be established by him across many western countries. In West Virginia, US, he established New Vrindaban Temple in 1968.
