By SriRamaDasa
Anandambudhi vardhanam…
“The results show that there is no limit to our book distribution. Our books are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly. We are not fiction writers. It is a fact that no expert book salesmen can compete with our men. The librarian has noted the difference between our men and other publisher’s men. We are working for heart and soul, not for money.”
— Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Ramesvara prabhu, 18 January 1976
In recent times, India has stayed on top of the charts when it comes to book distribution. In 2012, India total book points reached a scale of 50 LAKH (49,67,045 to be precise). In the following graphs, we see how the overall score has increased in a neat trend from the early 2000s and reached a peak in 2012. However, a minor dip is observed in 2013 (Graph 1), corresponding to roughly 6% reduction from the 2012 values.
Graph 1: Annual Book Points, India
It is open knowledge that we distribute most of the books we distribute in India during the Marathon in the month of December. This is confirmed from the Graph 2 below.
Graph 2: Monthly Book Points (2013-14) for India
The above graphs have been prepared using data obtained from the World Sankirtana Newsletter website (http://www.wsnl.net/hist/wsn01034.htm).
So, this year, it is a challenge for us to keep the trend going upwards. To do this, we mustadopt new strategies and work together as a team. Some temples have already begun to take up the baton and are working to progressively improve their book distribution:
ISKCON Seshadripuram
ISKCON Tirupati
ISKCON Mumbai-Chowpatty
ISKCON Pune
ISKCON Nellore
ISKCON Lakshmi-Narasimha Temple (Bangalore)
ISKCON Belgaum
ISKCON Mangalore
ISKCON Narasaraopeta
In early October, book distributors at ISKCON temples in New Delhi will meet for a two-day conference being conducted by the India Sankirtana Leaders Team under the aegis of the BBT and with the blessings of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, HG Bhima prabhu, and HG Vaisesika Prabhu. The team has collated various innovative strategies that have previously been implemented successfully by temples across India in the latest issue of the monthly newsletter “Waves of Sankirtana” at www.wavesofsankirtana.blogspot.com. For questions or suggestions, please write toindiasankirtana@gmail.com orsriramadasa.brs@gmail.com krishnamitranitai.jps@gmail.com