In his book ‘This is My Request’, Srila Prabhupada says, quote: “Our book distribution
program is most important work. Anyone reading our Krsna Book, Teachings of Lord
Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion and Bhagavad Gita As It is, is sure to become a Krsna
conscious person. The Sankirtana devotees are very very dear to Krsna. Because you are
doing the field work of book distribution, Krsna has immediately recognized you as true
servants. Just like during war time, a farm boy or ordinary clerk who goes to fight for his
country on the front, immediately becomes a national hero for his sincere effort, so also
Krsna immediately recognizes a preacher of Krsna consciousness who takes all risks to
deliver His message” unquote.
The initial goal of this Sankirtana was:
•To distribute at least 25,000 books, which was revised in early December to
30,000 books
This annual 2010 books marathon turned out to be a major historic event, with ISV
devotees distributing thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s books throughout the Bay area and
at distant spots, including other parts of the US, Europe and India.
Book distribution occurred with much enthusiasm during practically all weekends of the
marathon (MSF), during several Hari Nama performances in Palo Alto, during special
events marking Indian festivals such as Dusshera and Divali, on Govardhan Puja Day,
Thanksgiving Day, World Enlightenment Day, the day marking Advent of the Bhagavad
Gita, and during Christmas holidays and weekdays involving spontaneous and voluntary
Sankirtana activity.
The highlight of this MSF was massive door-to-door distribution of books at large
apartment complexes and traveling Sankirtana through which ISV devotees distributed
hundreds of book packs, Bhagavad Gitas & Krsna books in towns all across the Bay
area. Both adults and children were active participants in door-to-door book distribution,
including Sunday-School kids who organized their own Kids Sankirtana with a goal of
2500 books, succeeding in distributing over 2894 books. In addition, numerous cases
of Bhagavad Gitas and several Srimad Bhagavatam sets were distributed at temple
programs, and hundreds of Gitas were shipped for placement in motels all across the US,
with extensive devotee participation by MotelGita team members from different states.
During this MSF, Srila Prabhupada’s books were also placed in libraries, distributed
at weddings and special events, at Indian stores and different venues and at nearby and
distant temples. Book distribution continued through Smart Boxes placed in various
establishments. The smart box team had made a goal of opening new smart boxes in
2010. We are pleased to announce that by their untiring efforts, they were able to open 19
new smart boxes in the Bay Area.
All the scores from this MSF of Thirty-Thousand have been compiled and tonight at this
historic moment, we are pleased to report the Final Results.
In all,
- More than 150 devotees participated in book distribution
- They distributed 31,099 books, surpassing the MSF goal and setting a new recordfor book distribution, crossing the previous high of 23,581 books distributed during the Annual Marathon of 2009.
ISV devotees raised 55, 383 dollars, setting another new record in Laxmi points,
surpassing the previous high of $33,864 set also during the Annual Marathon
of 2009. The Laxmi scores include donations of which 27,309 was made to ISV
MotelGita.
We hereby offer these results to Srila Prabhupada and to their Lordships as our annual
contribution from this Sankirtana Yagna. We hope they are pleased with this outcome
from our book distribution efforts. We also pray for their mercy for the continued success
of our Sankirtana program, as it moves into a new phase in 2011.
We also take this opportunity to thank all the participating devotees including members
of Team ISV and all the donors and sponsors who contributed to the success of this MSF.
Last but not least we offer our special thanks to His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu for inspiring
us with this MSF of 30,000 books.
MSF of Thirty-Thousand ki Jaya!
Sri-Sri Radha-Madan Mohan ki Jaya!
Sriman Mahaprabhu ki Jaya!
Sri-Sri Laxmi Nrsimhadev ki Jay!
Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!
Gaura Premanande!
Haribol!
Yours in service
Raxit Jariwalla
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