His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja had been a Trustee of the GBC College for Leadership Development from its inception, in October 2014. He led from the front: he was the GBC who attended and taught in most parts of the world, in most residential courses. He also recorded an online seminar on Vaisnava etiquette, which, fortunately, will continue to instruct the students. Starting on day one of the first residential training at the Govardhana Ecovillage, in March 2015, Maharaja travelled to a number of locations to stress the importance of the institution, to offer foundational guidelines for the unity and longevity of the movement, to share the glories, the history and the culture of Gaudiya-vaisnavism, and to inspire devotees to see Krishna consciousness as the only solution for the maladies of this world. He traveled to Sochi, in the South of Russia, for the GBC College course there. He traveled to Campina Grande, Brazil, (I believe this was the first and only time his lotus feet touched the South American continent). According to his personal assistant, on that occasion he also shared with the students at an unusual level of intimacy, about his direct experiences with Srila Prabhupada. He traveled to New Vrindavana, West Virginia, last year, to provide association and direction to the future North American leaders. He traveled to Tirupati this last March, and, among other subjects, he presented his wake-up-call seminar "The Only Hope for This World." Among the less visible aspects of his support, he not only encouraged leaders from his zone to attend the courses, but also supported that his disciple Rupanuga Prabhu become the President of the GBC College - which made a big difference. The GBC College loses an active Trustee, the most committed teacher among the GBCs, a charming presenter, a vigorous promoter of unity, cooperation and the sacredness of the institution, and a messenger of love. Your servant Kaunteya das (GBC College Trustee) |