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News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
‘Sing, Dance & Lead': How Srila Prabhupada Redefined Leadership
Whether you are a startup founder, a CEO, an educator, or a spiritual seeker, this book by Hindol Sengupta will leave you not just thinking, but transforming In a world gasping for leadership that uplifts and unites, Sing, Dance & Lead by Hindol Sengupta arrives as a breath of fresh, ancient air. The book is not merely a biography or a study in spirituality, it is a penetrating exploration of transformative leadership as exemplified by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the visionary founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Sengupta draws a bold and beautiful portrait of a man who redefined global spiritual engagement, not through dogma, but through joy, devotion, and relentless execution. As Madhu Pandit Dasa, president of ISKCON Bengaluru and author of the book's foreword, aptly writes, 'This book reveals the spirit of a monk who led without ambition and conquered without control, whose only weapon was love anchored in truth." That spirit is what Sengupta captures with clarity and reverence throughout this remarkable narrative. The author deftly bridges timeless Vedic wisdom with modern theories of organizational leadership, change management, and entrepreneurship. Drawing from leadership frameworks ranging from Peter Drucker to Jim Collins, the book positions Srila Prabhupada as a 'deep time" disruptor, one whose vision operated across civilisational timescales but who executed with startup-like precision. The Unorthodox Path to Influence What sets the book apart is Sengupta's powerful portrayal of joy as a leadership tool. The 'song and dance" are both literal and spiritual, rooted in kirtan and prasadam, transforming philosophy into lived experience. This 'experiential leadership" offers a fresh model for leaders across sectors. Prabhupada's focus on authenticity, discipline, and truth stands in contrast to performative leadership. His humility was his strength, and his deep faith kept his global vision intact, growing stronger through unwavering commitment to original scriptures. Going Beyond the Theories The book weaves leadership theories from Goleman's emotional intelligence to Kotter's change model without letting them overshadow Prabhupada's deeper impact. Sengupta explores how Prabhupada inspired thousands, ensured global consistency, and built lasting systems all through stories, research, and reflection. In 10 crisp chapters across 200 pages, the book reveals the essence of visionary, ego-free leadership. One particular chapter, 'The Monk's Motto', captures his detachment-led, purpose-driven path. Praise from Titans It is no surprise that some of India's most respected voices across business, academia, and thought leadership have lent their admiration to this work. N.R. Narayana Murthy hails the book as a 'landmark contribution that humanizes and elevates the idea of servant leadership." Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw notes how 'Sengupta's lens of value-based leadership shows how Prabhupada's movement combined mission with scale, something modern enterprises still struggle with." Jaideep Prabhu from Cambridge University adds depth by aligning the book's insights with frugal innovation: 'How else could an elderly man create a global institution with almost no capital?" A Call to Rethink Leadership In an era dominated by burnout, noise, and short-termism, Sing, Dance & Lead is not just a book, it is a paradigm shift. It gently asks leaders to reimagine their roles as facilitators of meaning rather than merely managers of output. In Srila Prabhupada's journey, Sengupta offers a case study of leadership that is mystical yet measurable, ancient yet adaptable. The book is a rare gem, a confluence of literature, leadership, and legacy. Whether you are a startup founder, a CEO, an educator, or a spiritual seeker, this book will leave you not just thinking, but transforming. Srila Prabhupada once said, 'Books are the basis." Hindol Sengupta adds, so is leadership. And when both are aligned in purpose, movements are born. The reviewers are columnists working in the field of innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalisation strategy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the reviewers. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
4 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Tirupati reverberates with ‘Hare Krishna' chants as city marks Krishnashtami
Tirupati: The pilgrim city of Tirupati came alive on Saturday with grand celebrations of Krishnashtami, as thousands of devotees thronged temples to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. The biggest draw of the day was the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Hare Krishna Lotus Temple, where over one lakh devotees were estimated to have offered prayers and took part in the festivities. By early morning, Hare Krishna Road, where the temple is located, was packed with worshippers. The chants of Hare Rama, Hare Krishna echoed through the streets, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere. The ISKCON temple was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, drawing admiration from visitors. Special bhajans and cultural programmes were organised throughout the day, with devotees participating enthusiastically. In the evening, the traditional Utlotsavam became the highlight, as groups of youngsters tried to reach a hanging pot while others playfully sprayed water to stop them – a recreation of Lord Krishna's childhood pranks. Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu also joined the celebrations at ISKCON, where temple authorities arranged for his darshan. He later offered prayers for the well-being and prosperity of the city's people. The MLA lauded the arrangements made by the temple management to provide hassle free darshan to the devotees. Police put in place heavy security and traffic diversions to ensure smooth movement of devotees around the temple area. Thanks to the arrangements, the celebrations went off peacefully despite the massive crowd. Other temples across Tirupati also saw steady footfall. At the Sri Venugopala Swamy temple near Palani theatre, special rituals were held, and Annadanam was organised for devotees who could not make it to the crowded ISKCON temple.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
ISKCON Bangladesh Begins Three-Day Janmashtami Celebration
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has begun celebrating a three-day Krishna Janmashtami in a festive atmosphere in Bangladesh, priests said on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, told ANI. "... Tomorrow is the appearance day of Lord Krishna... Throughout the day, programs are held on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, including kirtan. In the evening, there will be the bathing ceremony... We have a three-day program, and many people will attend government is taking the best security measures. We had a meeting with the police... They have ensured that nothing will happen this time..." #WATCH | Dhaka, Bangladesh: Devotees take darshan of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha at the ISKCON temple in Dhaka as ISKCON has begun the three-day celebration amidst Krishna Janmashtami. — ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025 Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended greetings to Hindu communities on Krishna Janmashtami. "The birth anniversary of the divine incarnation of Lord Krishna, Shubh Janmashtami, is one of the main religious festivals of the Hindu community. Lord Krishna preached the message of justice, humanity and peace throughout his life to establish equality and peace in the society," Yunus said in a message. "Communal harmony is a unique feature of our culture. Since ancient times, the people of this country have been practicing their respective religion while maintaining communal harmony. Let us, through the collective efforts of all, build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, full of communal harmony," the Chief Adviser added. Devotees are flocking to ISKCON's central temple in Swamibagh, Dhaka, to participate in various phases of the festival. They performed pujas and took part in kirtans and aartis. Events include the Mahabhishek (appearance day) ceremony of Lord Krishna, discussion meetings, cultural programmes, Kirtan Mela, and religious plays. Devotees are also buying sweets and gifts from the fair on the occasion of Janmashtami. "May Lord Krishna bless those who are righteous and may He change the mindset of those who are evil and turn them into good people," Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, told ANI in an interview. "I pray that as many people as there are in the world, everyone will be happy," he added. "We have bathing programmes - water to Krishna, religious meetings, Kirtans. So many people will attend," Das said. On security arrangements, he said, "The government is taking the best security. We had meetings with the police. Police, military and the advisory council have given assurance of security." "Sometimes, there were attacks on Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh. We have helped the victims' families. We are going from village to village, city to city, giving assurance," Das said. "We will not leave Bangladesh. Bangladesh is our birthplace. We are giving assurance to the Hindu communities," the ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary said.
India.com
6 days ago
- General
- India.com
These Janmashtami Celebrations Around The World Are Nothing Short Of Divine Spectacles
photoDetails english 2946267 Updated:Aug 15, 2025, 12:16 PM IST India 1 / 8 As Krishna's birthplace, Mathura sees days of processions, temple decorations, and Raas Leela performances. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, Janmashtami is synonymous with the program and competition of 'Dahi Handi' tradition. On the other hand, in West Bengal, the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness hosts a grand celebration with continuous kirtan, theatrical plays, and lavishly decorated idols. Thousands of pilgrims attend from across India and abroad. United Kingdom 2 / 8 The Hindu community in London, United Kingdom hosts lavish Krishna Janmashtami traditions. USA 3 / 8 The ISKCON temples in the United States and community groups across the country hold cultural programs, Krishna bhajans, and feasts. Some celebrations include large public kirtan processions through the streets. Nepal 4 / 8 In the neighboring nation of Nepal, devotees flock to Krishna Mandirs that remain open through all hours with continuous prayers, and streets around it are lit with oil lamps. Australia 5 / 8 Devotees in Australia celebrate the festival of Krishna Janmashtami with praying, traditional dance, drama, and prasadam distribution. Canada 6 / 8 Temples and communities in Canada organise processions, bhajan concerts, and large-scale stage performances depicting Krishna's childhood pastimes. Other Places 7 / 8 Devotees and Krishna followers also celebrate the Janmashtami traditions and even stay awake till 12 am to celebrate the exact moment of Lord Krishna's birth. Credit 8 / 8 Photo Credit: All Representational Images/ Freepik
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
ISKCON Tirupati all set to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami on August 16
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) announced that they would celebrate 'Sri Krishna Janmashtami' in a grand manner at the Radha Govindaji Lotus Temple premises in Alipiri on August 16 (Saturday). The celebrations will begin on August 15 (Friday) and extend till August 17, with devotional, cultural and spiritual events aimed to attract the devotees. The first day will have a 'Go Puja' at 5.30 a.m., followed by day-long events culminating with a special message by Revathi Ramandas, president of ISKCON Tirupati temple. 'On August 16, a special darshan of Sri Radha Govinda, along with their eight accomplices will be arranged for the devout. On the final day, the 129th appearance day of ISKCON founder Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada will be observed, followed by a discourse on his life and contributions,' Mr. Revati Ramandas said at a media conference on Thursday. The 'Hare Krishna Road' leading to the temple from Anna Rao Circle will remain barricaded for the event and traffic will be diverted through other routes.
