Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu' s kirtans are sung by thousands of devotees not merely in India but, due to the efforts of ISKCON, throughout the world.

The Bhakti marg propagated by Srila Prabhupada has struck a sympathetic chord among the people which has resonated across the ocean and continents. Swamiji's approach is remarkable for its simplicity. It is not a rigid ritualistic or merely intellectual approach. It is personal, intuitive, emotional faith based on a passionate love and adoration of the Lord. This is reflected in the singing of kirtans and in living a good and decent life in harmony with oneself, with society and nature.

Srila Prabhupada's work has given new meaning and direction to the lives of thousands of people. In India, the activities of ISKCON are rekindling the latent knowledge and awareness among our own people of our great spiritual and cultural heritage. I believe deeply that, in our efforts for modernization and growth, we must never forget the philosophy of humanism of our civilization. There can be no real progress and prosperity, there can be no balanced material and spiritual development unless and until the poorest of the poor, and weakest of the weak in our country prosper and progress. This can happen only by re-instilling among our people the moral and ethical values of our ethos, of love and devotion, compassion and selfless service. Only by helping others can we achieve true happiness and balance in our lives.

It is vital for us to pay heed to this profound message of our tradition. It is the values and ideals of our ethos, which must empower our efforts for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in our society. We must take this message, particularly, to the youth of our country, since it is this generation, which will shape and guide the destiny of our great nation. I am confident that the new complex, with its facilities for the propagation of our ancient cultural and spiritual heritage will strengthen the roots of our people in our civilisation and hence contribute to national progress.

With these words, I have great pleasure in inaugurating the Centre for Advancement of Culture of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. I wish the Centre many years of fruitful endeavor in the service of society.