PM Modi Releases ₹125 coin on Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, released a ₹125 commemorative coin to mark the 125th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, via video conference, on September 1, 2021.

Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri G. Kishan Reddy, and other dignitaries were present on this significant occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the auspicious coincidence of Janmashtami being celebrated the previous day and the 125th Birth Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada Ji being observed on the present occasion. He remarked that it felt like experiencing the joy and fulfillment of spiritual practice together. He also noted that the event was taking place during the celebrations of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, reflecting a moment of collective pride for millions of followers of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna devotees across the world.

The Prime Minister spoke of Srila Prabhupada’s unwavering devotion to Lord Krishna and emphasised that he was also a devoted son of Bharat. He recalled that Srila Prabhupada had participated in the freedom movement and had refused to accept his diploma from Scottish College as a mark of support for the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The Prime Minister further noted that India’s knowledge traditions—such as yoga, Ayurveda, and sustainable ways of living—have spread across the world. He expressed India’s resolve to ensure that the global community continues to benefit from these ancient sciences. He added that whenever Indians travel abroad and are greeted with “Hare Krishna,” they feel a deep sense of belonging and pride. The Prime Minister said that the same pride should accompany the global acceptance of Make in India products, and that ISKCON’s model offers valuable lessons in this regard.

Reflecting on India’s history, the Prime Minister stated that during the era of colonial rule, the Bhakti movement kept the spirit of the nation alive. He noted that scholars today acknowledge that without the spiritual and social revolution brought by the Bhakti period, the India we know today would be difficult to imagine. Bhakti bridged divides of faith, caste, and social hierarchy, and saints like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu united society through devotion and instilled the mantra of transforming faith into confidence.

The Prime Minister emphasised that just as Swami Vivekananda carried the message of Vedanta to the West, Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON carried the message of Bhakti Yoga across the globe when the time came. He said that Srila Prabhupada connected Bhakti Vedanta with the consciousness of the world, creating a worldwide movement rooted in devotion, compassion, and cultural pride.

The Prime Minister noted that today there are hundreds of ISKCON temples across the world, along with numerous Gurukuls that continue to preserve and spread Indian culture. He added that ISKCON has shown the world that for India, faith symbolizes zeal, joy, and compassion, along with deep trust in humanity. Shri Modi also praised ISKCON’s tireless service during major calamities, including the Kutch earthquake, the Uttarakhand tragedy, and cyclones in Odisha and Bengal, as well as their humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This release marks the second commemorative coin for the year 2021. Undoubtedly, collectors and numismatists from around the globe eagerly await the opportunity to add this coin to their collections.