Special ₹125 coin released by PM Modi to mark 125th birth anniversary of founder of ISKCON

Sept 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released a special commemorative coin of ₹125 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the founder of Hare Krishna movement, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Swami Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Speaking on the occasion through video-conferencing, Modi lauded the religious organisation for its work and services, and said that it has played the role of a brand ambassador of Indian traditions and values.

“If a sage like Swami Vivekananda took Vedanta to the west, then Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON took up this great task of taking Bhakti Yoga to the world when the time came. He connected Bhakti Vedanta with the consciousness of the world,” said Prime Minister Modi.

Modi while releasing the special commemorative coin also said, “Today there are hundreds of ISKCON temples in different countries around the world and is spreading the Indian culture. ISKCON has told the world that for India, faith means zeal, enthusiasm, to be in high spirits and faith in humanity.”

Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji released a special coin of ₹125 on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

#125prabhupada pic.twitter.com/glq3KdygwR

— Iskcon,Inc. (@IskconInc) September 1, 2021

Swami Prabhupada or Srila Prabhupada, was born in Kolkata on September 1, 1896. Abhay Charan De was the name of his birth. He  initially ran a pharmacy business before leaving India in 1959 to make people aware about the teaching of Krishna. He went to New York in 1965 and set up the first ISKCON centre, which now has temples and cultural centres across the globe.