By Pushti Devi Dasi
The Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC) was formed in 2009 by His Grace Hari Sauri Prabhu as managing co-director along with His Grace Pranava Prabhu as academic co-director. It is located in Kolkata and is primarily a resource of Vedic & Vaisnava Literature which is open to all researchers, scholars & students. BRC houses rare collections of manuscripts, journals & books.
Since 2009, under guidance of His Grace Hari Sauri Prabhu & His Grace Pranava Prabhu, BRC has been has been on several manuscript retrieving missions, preservation process, translating & editing, collecting & displaying rare literature from the time of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami 1904, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur from 1866 & a hand-written manuscript on handmade paper of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita dated back to 1780.
At present, after 9 years of building a strong foundation with his relentless efforts, His Grace Hari Sauri Prabhu, has decided to resign from active duty pertaining to his ill health. We, the BRC team, would like to thank him for his unconditional support, motivation & guidance for this unique & wonderful project. We wish him speedy recovery.
Please find below his letter of resignation:
January 2, 2018
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am writing to inform you of some important changes in the management of the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC) in Kolkata.
As you know the BRC has for the last nine years emerged as one of the most important projects
in ISKCON, and indeed in the Vaisnava community as a whole, by collecting and preserving
important historical documents of our Gaudiya Vaisnava lineage.
I have had the privilege of serving as the managing co-director along with our academic co-director Pranava Prabhu.
Most of you will know that in recent years my health has gradually been seriously affected by Parkinson’s disease which is ongoing. It has now progressed to the point where I feel I can no longer function effectively enough to fulfil the requirements of the service.
I beg to inform you therefore that as of Gaura Purnima, March 2nd, 2018 I shall retire from active
service at the BRC.
During the last few months I have been working with Pranava and others to insure that the project continues effectively up to the high standards we have already established, and indeed will continue to expand its services.
I am pleased to inform you that Sriman Gauranga das brahmacari from Chowpatty, a leading disciple of His Holiness Radhanatha Swami, has agreed to take up the service as the new Administrative Director of the BRC.
Those of you who know Gauranga Prabhu know him to be a highly intelligent and capable manager who will insure the integrity of the BRC operation to the best possible standard. Gauranga Prabhu is currently organizing a team to carry out all the functions at the BRC along with the existing staff. So I am very optimistic of a smooth transition.
The regular work of the BRC in acquiring and preserving our literary heritage will continue on. For example just three weeks ago our library field team was successful in acquiring from the West Bengal State Archives the government work-records of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur from 1866 to 1892.
At the same time there are some important new developments to expand the BRC’s functions.
A new trust has been formed with myself, Gauranga Prabhu, Doyaram Prabhu and Sriman Sumanta Rudra PhD. as the founding trustees. News of further developments will be made available from time to time.
Needless to say, BRC will continue to depend upon the generosity and support of our donors. Many of you have generously contributed to our membership program and my sincere request is that you continue to do so with full enthusiasm and confidence. We are entering into a new expanded era for the BRC and we can only do that with the generous support of the Vaisnava community.
Any inquiries as to how you can help the BRC are warmly welcomed and may be directed to His
Grace Gauranga Prabhu – gaurangadas.in@gmail.com
Thank you once again for giving me your heartfelt support and the opportunity to serve you all.
Your humble servant
Hari Sauri das
BHAKTIVEDANTA RESEARCH CENTRE
110 A, MOTILAL NEHRU ROAD
KOLKATA 700 029
WEST BENGAL
INDIA
PHONE: +91 33 40656198 (Library)
+91 33 2475 5216 (Publication)
Website: www.brcindia.com
Email : harisauri@gmail.com
gaurangadas.in@gmail.com