Unforgettable gems

BY SRIDEVI SRINIWASS

KLANG, MALAYSIA – Like everyone else, I was shocked and deeply saddended to hear about His Grace Uttama Caitanya Dasa Bramachari’s sudden passing. But I know that it is Krsna’s divine arrangement. Although I have known UCD for only three and a half years, my association with him albeit briefly has inspired me in my spiritual journey, my love for God strengthened. His words have indeed left an indelible mark in my life. I have had the wonderful honor of listening to UCD’s scholarly lectures.

And He Left Us So Suddenly…..

BY JEYANTHY PILLAI

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA  – He left us on 18/7/09, coinciding with Kamika Ekadasi. He was playing futsal in Klang. About 40 members all over the country were attending the Congregational Development meeting which his team had organized. They came from all over the country. That morning he had told them in their meeting that all the branches in Malaysia must come together and spread the movement. States which were not active should gear up as well he told them. Representatives from neighboring countries like Thailand, Bali and Singapore were also present.

After that was lunch and they had a short break before the futsal game. He was doing a full fast even without water. He apologized that they overlooked that it was ekadasi that day and it also clashed with a National Council meeting and a Bhagavad-gita contest,  when they planned the meeting.

Tribute to a dear friend

BY JEYANTHY PILLAI

KLANG, MALAYSIA – Life is tottering like a drop of water on a lotus leaf. No one will ever know when it will drop. And when it does drop, the leaf looks so empty.

Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON KL,  seems like that now, without its Chief Commander, HG Uttama Caitanya dasa. Everything seems so lifeless and empty.

Who would have ever thought this lean and lanky stalwart commander would leave suddenly during a game of futsal in Klang. The Lord, master controller has a peculiar way of doing things. He took him away when we least expected it.

But we still thank the Lord for giving us the chance to know this soul who gave his all to nurture us in Krishna Consciousness.  He had many strengths and talents. His knowledge was incredible, so was his memory. Once he told me he had a dream and in it Srila Prabhupada lay on his lap and said, “I am too tired to preach”. I guess he was hand-picked by Srila Prabhupada to preach and he had the gift of gab. He could preach for hours on a topic and had a palatable style in writing. He sounded like a scholar, his vocabulary intricately laced with philosophical terms and phrases. Elegant hand gestures and animated facial expressions added considerable impact to his delivery. He got many of us glued to his talks and well-written articles. The very interesting ones were from his visits to India. He took us to this land with his mere words.