Goa's Chief Minister Digambar Kamath came with his family to Mathura and Vrindavan on Thursday. In Mathura, Mr. Kamath went to attend the yearly festival at the Ramaayan Pracharini Sabha. He also visited the Dwarkadhish temple and the Krishna Janma Bhumi for darshan. In Vrindavan, he visited several temples including Iskcon, where he danced with the devotees, and Banke Bihariji.
Though on a personal pilgrimage, he agreed to give informal press conferences in both towns before leaving. He refused to discuss politics but only spoke on religious matters to journalists, praising the path of devotion and love. A person may be from anywhere in the world, but if he comes to Vrindavan, he will not be bereft of bhakti.He said that Mathura and Vrindavan have not changed much in ten years, when he came the last time for a visit. He said that the beautification of all religious sites throughout Vrindavan and Braj is a necessity.
In his opinion, development in the land of Krishna's birth is insufficient, but he promised to put his own personal influence and contacts to use for helping increase such development.
He said that he has given a great deal of cooperation in the development of other religious sites like Pandharpur (in Maharashtra) and could do the same here. In fact, he seeks a kind of close relationship between beautiful scenic Goa and Krishna's birthplace. Both would benefit from it.
He said that in Goa also, the number of temples is increasing. Many tourists visit Goa and it has become an important tourist center for Indians as well as foreigners. The federal and state governments have vowed to protect the area.
He observed that the broken streets in Vrindavan must be a source of great vexation to the faithful.
By way of contrast, he gave the example of Shirdi in Maharashtra, which has made great forward strides. Ten years ago there was absolutely nothing, but the development that has taken place over this time is really worth seeing. The Maharashtra government has invested a great deal there, providing many facilities for pilgrims. Everyone who goes there is very impressed with their visit.
Comments: This shows several things. One is that people notice that Vrindavan is not living up to its potential and that the mess in the streets is the first thing that they notice. This is not good because it makes everyone's focus the damn cars. And this makes the city and development authorities concentrate all their energies on streets rather than finding other ways to improve the city. All the problems that we are facing are due to accomodation for cars above everything else.
Two, people like Kamath, from a faroff state like Goa, are ready and willing to help. The idea of a Goa-Vrindavan axis of some sort sounds interesting. But Vrindavan would need to be brought up to snuff. It could be a kind of Jaipur with its beautiful old buildings and temples, if only these are brought into their best light. And, obviously, if the garden-forest mood of Vrindavan can somehow be revived.
Three, they mostly have no idea what they are talking about. Shirdi and Vrindavan cannot be compared in any way, as Shirdi is a new place. You can build highways, parking lots, hotels, etc., with little or no negative impact on local heritage or environment. Vrindavan is a far more complex and delicate situation. People like Kamath need to be educated, but they are no doubt open to such education.
The man is obviously pious and such people need to be engaged in any way possible, as donors, advisors, well-wishers. Let us wish him the best and hope that someone with vision takes him up on his offer.
Radhe Radhe.
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ReplyDeleteI think the Government and civic society have to be shaken and woken up to revive Vrindavan's pristine glory. It is quite a shame that Lord Krishna's birthplace is in such a mess. What is the use of bhakti for the Lord if we allow the degradation to continue? Jai Shri Krishna
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