Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Please accept our most humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine
Grace!
On this most auspicious occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā, we, the devotees of the Vedic Cultural
Centre in Thunder Bay, offer our heartfelt gratitude and prayers at your lotus feet. By your bound-
less mercy, we have found shelter in the teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the glorious
paramparā.
Through your tireless efforts you gave us everything – Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
and the entire treasure of Vedic wisdom. Your transcendental books continue to illuminate our
lives, guiding us on the path of bhakti. At the Vedic Cultural Centre, we strive to serve your mis-
sion through kīrtana, prasādam distribution, scriptural education, and spiritual gatherings.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, our center is located in Thunder Bay, a remote city in Northern Ontario,
far from any major urban center. Often called “the middle of nowhere,” Thunder Bay is isolated,
with the nearest major city, Winnipeg, over 700 km away, and Toronto nearly 1,400 km away. The
harsh winters and limited resources make outreach challenging, yet by your mercy, Kṛṣṇa con-
sciousness is thriving here.
Each year, over 12,000 visitors – students, newcomers, and local residents – find spiritual nour-
ishment at our center. More than 20,000 plates of prasādam are distributed annually, ensuring
that no one who comes to us leaves hungry – physically or spiritually. Inspired by your instruc-
tions, we have established weekly kīrtana programs, Bhagavad-gītā study groups, and spiritual
retreats to nourish devotees and seekers alike.
Our Festival of India and Festival of Colours, attended by thousands, introduces people to
Kṛṣṇa’s holy names and the rich culture of devotion. Our Food-for-Life program, operating with a
dedicated food truck, distributes prasādam to the community, following your instruction that “no
one should go hungry within ten miles of a temple.”
This year, by your divine mercy, our center is growing. We have expanded our outreach to
surrounding cities like Sault Ste. Marie, bringing kīrtana, prasādam distribution, and scriptural
education to new communities.
Most importantly, we recognize that your greatest gift to the world is your books. You have
taught us that “books are the basis,” and following your divine instruction – “Distribute books,
distribute books, distribute books!” – we are increasing our efforts in book distribution. We aim
to distribute more copies of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and other transcendental
literature, ensuring that your teachings reach every home and heart in Northern Ontario. Whether
through street distribution, outreach programs, or special events, we remain committed to this
sacred mission, knowing that each book has the power to transform lives.
Śrīla Prabhupāda, on this special day, we also remember your dear disciple, His Holiness
Gopal Krishna Goswami Mahārāja. Mahārāja dedicated his life to fulfilling your mission,
tirelessly spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness worldwide. His unwavering commitment to book
distribution, temple development, and devotional outreach deeply inspired us. His encourage-
ment strengthened our resolve, and his absence is profoundly felt.
We recall with gratitude how Mahārāja’s visits, instructions, and personal guidance uplifted
our center, reminding us always to serve with sincerity and determination. Though we miss his
presence, we take solace in knowing that his service to you was exemplary and that his legacy lives
on through his disciples and the devotees he inspired. We pray for his continued blessings as we
carry forward his mission with devotion and enthusiasm.
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, your teachings are the foundation of all our activities, and we are
humbled to carry forward your divine legacy. On this sacred day, we rededicate our lives to your
mission, praying for the strength to serve with sincerity, humility, and unwavering faith.
May we become instruments in fulfilling your vision, distributing your mercy far and wide.
Your humble servants,
Premkishor Dāsa and Sunitī Devī Dāsī
Vedic Cultural Centre, Thunder Bay