Speech by Ambassador Y. K. Sailas Thangal  on 60th Anniversary of ISKCON Event
(6 November 2026, Almaty) 

Distinguished spiritual leaders and representatives of ISKCON,

Honourable guests Maharaj Govinda Swami, Mataji Vidya, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Qürmette Qonaqtar, Hare Krishna!

It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to join you today in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Almaty. I warmly congratulate the entire ISKCON community on reaching this important milestone and commend you for six decades of dedication to spirituality, service and the promotion of the teachings of Lord Krishna.

India has always regarded spirituality and religion as an integral part of human civilisation. Our ancient traditions teach us that religion is not merely about rituals, ceremonies or outward displays of devotion. True religion is about establishing a sincere and personal relationship with God, the Supreme Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It is about cultivating love, humility, compassion, truthfulness and selflessness in our everyday lives.

I believe that the essence of all religions is fundamentally benevolent. While different religions may worship God by different names, follow different traditions and express their faith through different forms of prayer and worship, the ultimate aspiration is remarkably similar: to seek the Almighty, to receive His grace and guidance, and to attain peace, happiness and spiritual fulfilment.

There is a beautiful way of expressing this universal truth: Different rivers may originate in different places and flow through different landscapes, carrying different names, but ultimately they all merge into the same ocean. Similarly, humanity may follow different religious paths, but sincere faith, love and devotion ultimately lead us towards the same Supreme Power.

Whether we call Him Krishna, Rama, Allah, Jesus Christ or by any other sacred name, we are seeking the Almighty who is omnipresent, all-powerful and the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the source of all existence, the ultimate refuge in times of difficulty and the eternal source of strength, hope and peace. When we surrender ourselves to Him with sincerity and faith, we find the inner strength to face life's challenges and the wisdom to overcome our difficulties.

However, it is important to remember that being religious should not be merely a matter of outward appearance or public demonstration. Genuine devotion must come from the heart. It should be reflected in how we treat other people, how we care for the less fortunate, how we serve society and how we contribute to making this world a more compassionate and peaceful place. Our good deeds should speak louder than our words. After all, the true measure of our faith is not simply how often we speak about God, but how sincerely we practise the values He teaches us.

In this context, I would like to make a special mention of the ISKCON community in Almaty. Over the years, your organisation has established a meaningful presence in this city and expanded its community through its dedicated service, charitable activities, spiritual guidance and commitment to spreading the message of Lord Krishna. Your noble work demonstrates that a spiritual organisation grows not merely through preaching or words, but through compassion, service and positive contributions to society. This is something that deserves our sincere appreciation.

The teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, particularly the principles of selfless action, devotion, righteousness and equanimity, have inspired millions of people across the world. The message of Bhakti—devotion through love and surrender to the Divine—transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. It reminds us that spirituality is not about separating ourselves from humanity, but about recognising the Divine in all creation and serving others with love and humility.

ISKCON has played an important role in bringing these teachings to people across continents, including here in Kazakhstan. Your efforts in promoting the message of Lord Krishna, encouraging spiritual reflection and fostering a sense of community are particularly commendable.

As we celebrate 60 years of this journey, I sincerely thank the organisers, spiritual leaders, volunteers and all members of ISKCON Almaty for their dedication, commitment and hard work. Your efforts in keeping the flame of devotion alive and spreading the universal message of love, peace and harmony are truly appreciated.

May the blessings of Lord Krishna continue to guide your work, strengthen your community and inspire you to serve humanity with even greater dedication in the years ahead.

I wish ISKCON Almaty continued success in all its future endeavours and hope that your organisation will continue to be a beacon of spirituality, compassion, interfaith harmony and selfless service in Kazakhstan.

Thank you, and once again, congratulations on the 60th anniversary.

Hare Krishna! Khop Rahmet & Namaskar.