LET'S INTEGRATE

Monday, June 15th, 2026

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Our two glorious buses arrived sometime after midnight and parked at ISKCON's driveway so the passengers may have a safe and sound sleep. The neighbourhood called Germantown was founded in 1683 by German and Dutch families of the Quaker order who escaped persecution in Europe. It is also the birthplace of the abolition on slavery and the first integrated home for blacks, whites and people of different creeds.

Gurudas, one of the younger folks travelling on the bus tour, and I took a walk on the cobblestone main street, on the eve of Monday. We felt a good energy in this hood as we trekked in this historic area. I recall how my godbrother, Rabindra Svarup, the president of ISKCON at the time, took me down some nature trails in the area ten years ago.

Oh, he is a good soul and currently resides in Mayapura, India. There were times when we sat next to each other in the meetings for the annual Governing Body Commissioners (GBC). There was one humorous thing he whispered in my ears that I won't forget.

"There are two places that the public should not be exposed to—Number One: where items are discussed that lead to legislative decisions, and Number Two: where they assemble the ingredients for making Polish sausages."

Rabindra is having some tough physical challenges in his maturing years and his very devoted wife recently passed. We miss them both. They were very dedicated to the mission in Philly.

Practices have been going on for our drama of "Big Fish, Little Fish" to be performed in Harrisburg this coming Sunday. It's hard work but fun at the same time. The volunteer actors are from all over the world. They are our bus people. We are integrated.

ISKCON PHILADELPHIA.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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