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[Rteacher]

This occurred last Wednesday on Krishna's "birthday" - celebrated by hundreds of millions of people. Here are a couple news accounts:

Four Dead In Manipur Temple Blast

Manipur, India � A Krishna temple operated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was the victim of a bomb blast at approximately 7:00 pm India time on Wednesday, August 16th. Over a thousand worshippers were celebrating Janmastami, the most sacred observance of the year for devotees of Krishna, at a temple in the state of Manipur, in the northeast region of India. Unknown assailants threw a hand grenade into a crowd of people sitting under a large tent outside of the temple, watching a religious dance performance depicting Lord Krishna's pas�times.

A second grenade, which did not go off, was found an hour later in the most crowded area of the temple, near an altar bearing sacred images of Krishna. According to ISKCON spokespersons in Manipur, four people, including a young girl, are confirmed dead. Approximately 36 people were injured, including five foreign nationals. An eight-year old girl, who had been playing the part of Krishna on stage when the bomb exploded, is among those severely injured. The troupe's dance teacher lost his leg in the blast.

"We are sickened and greatly saddened by this horrible, vicious act," said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON's Minister of Communications. "The victims were innocent devotees of God. There is no excuse for such wanton acts of violence. We pray for the victims and their families, and we pray that Lord Krishna will soon lift the terrible veil of hatred and violence that is covering our world." ...
http://www.iskcon.com/new/20060818_four_dead_in_manipur_temple_blast.html#top

Grenade attack on ISKCON temple complex

TRAGEDY ON JANMASHTAMI: Lying pell-mell are people injured in the blast at the ISKCON temple in Imphal, Manipur, on Wednesday during Janmashtami celebrations

Imphal: At least five persons were killed and 50, including five American and three French nationals, injured when suspected militants lobbed a grenade in the complex of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) here on Wednesday evening. The shrine was teeming with devotees on Janmashtami day.

The toll might mount as the condition of some of those who suffered injuries was critical, sources in the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital said.

A 10-year-old boy and a 70-year-old woman were among the dead, the sources said.

Hospital sources said the foreign nationals were among those who sustained splinter injuries in the blast at around 7 p.m. Several others, including ISKCON chief priest Damodar Das, were among those hit by splinters.

It being the birthday of Lord Krishna, there was a huge gathering of people at the complex.

No individual or organisation has claimed responsibility for the explosions, official sources said.

However, the sources said investigation would be ordered to find out how militants infiltrated the complex where heavy security had been deployed.

``The temple was packed with Hindu devotees when unknown militants lobbed the grenade,'' said Army spokesman Col. Goswami.

``An unidentified woman and her son were among those killed,'' said a surgeon from a State-run hospital here.

Police have cordoned off the area and have launched a search for those responsible.

Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, who visited the hospital, strongly condemned the incident. � PTI, Agencies
http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/17/stories/2006081722030100.htm

[Rteacher]

On a personal note, I'm acquainted with at least a couple of the devotees who were present there. I've met the guy pictured below (center) at least a couple times, and he resides in Thailand. He's listed in critical condition, sustaining major eye damage...

The man in saffron robes is Dr. TD Singh (Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami) organic chemist and International Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute. http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1990/05/1990-05-03.shtml He's hospitalized with relatively minor inuries to his hand...

Although no one has taken credit for it, the most likely suspects are various insurgent groups who in India often regard the Hare Krishna movement as a front for the CIA...

[happeningthang]

That sucks R Teach. Sorry to hear about your friends. Hope they all get through.

[Rteacher]

Thanks... I've only met "Bhojadeva" (his spiritual name...) a couple times. He was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1972 - a couple years before me. He's a large-bodied guy known for his big heart and gentle nature and for his expertise as a cook.

It appears that because of his strong constitution and great faith (he consciously chanted en route to the hospital...) he will survive. He lost part of his arm around the elbow, but they think he can regain about 90% use of it. Damage to his face is more severe - the blast blew a large part of his nose away and simultaneously fractured the bones around the nose and eyes including the orbitals or eye sockets... The greatest area of concern is his right eye because there is inflammation of the optic nerve from either shrapnel or bone fragments. It is possible that he may lose vision in that eye... Some devotees are in the process of moving him to a
hospital in Thailand that specializes in reconstructive surgery, and doctors
can examine his eye further...

Mainly to highlight how horribly abominable it is when terrorists of any type target places of worship - especially on festive holidays when many families with kids congregate - I'll post a little background info on two people (a young boy and a peace-activist doctor...) who were fatally injured:



Angom Blondin

The crest-fallen father still finds it hard to reconcile with the loss of his eldest son. The bereaved family's home at Lalambung Takhellambam Leikai is adorned by the lifeless portrait of the innocent Blondin with his favourite playmate - a small deep red acoustic guitar kept beside the portrait.

All the while, sweet scent from the burning incense sticks remind the crest-fallen family that their beloved son was snatched away from their bosoms by the cruel hands of fate-call it terrorism-in one unforgettable moment.

"Though he was just 11, he was always true to his responsibility of being the eldest of his siblings. He was very obedient, sincere and dutiful", said Mamata of her lost child whom they lovingly nick named Buti.

"My sweet son in a pristine kurta-pyjama suit gave me a sublime smile as if he knew he was leaving for the heavenly abode before he went for the festival in the company of his grandfather Madhumangol and younger sister Babli" said Mamata with grief writ large on her face.

Blondin always took care of his younger siblings in the house and at school (Christ Jyoti School) where all four of them study, he was always respectful to his elders and passed his leisure time drawing and learning to play guitar, wept Mamata.

Inspite of his tender age, Blondin was a religious and God fearing child, praying to Lainingthou Sanamahi, Krishna and Ganesha every time before he went for school. He never missed to follow his grandfather for every religious occasion at ISKCON.

"But he was taken away too young by the Lord and his pure songs of innocence will be heard no more" cried the mother forsaken by destiny.

Concerning the barbaric and demonic crime against humanity, she said, "This is too much".

"I don't want other innocent children snatched away from the bosom of their mothers for no fault of theirs", noted the grief-stricken mother while appealing those perpetrators not to repeat such inhuman act in future.

The big hopes reposed on his eldest son was shattered to pieces.

Bobby, father of Blondin was hoping to hand over his business to his eldest son when he come to age while he and his wife would devote themselves to Lord Krishna, Bobby said.

In sweet remembrance of his loving son, Bobby is planning to distribute a geometry box imprinted with the photo of his son to each of the students of Christ Jyoti School, he disclosed.

Dr. Binodkumar

..."Good persons are short-lived and called back to the heaven by the Almighty", was the condolence message of Swami Sivachidanda Saraswati of the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh to the bereaved family of Dr. Binodkumar who passed away in the terror attack of August 16.Despite the fitting condolence, the bereaved family still finds it hard to be consoled by those words of the Swami.

"One extraordinary quality of late Dr. Binodkumar was his inexhaustible energy to organise camps and workshops for promotion of moral and physical health of youths" noted Ibetombi, widow of Binodkumar.

Besides being a devout Gandhian, Dr. Binodkumar spent all his life for the cause of youth's welfare and promotion of spiritualism among the youths.

In the morning of the fateful day of Janmasthami, he attended one last meeting for observation of International Peace Day which falls on September 21 at Imphal under the aegis of the Manipur Peace Committee.

Dr. Binodkumar was the general secretary of Manipur Peace Committee.

Ibetombi, an Assistant Professor of Gynae Department, RIMS, recalled that on the afternoon of August 16 before the cruel hand of terrorism struck its cruel blow on the peace-loving family, they offered prayers to Lord Krishna at ISKCON temple quite oblivious to what lied ahead of them.

The heart broken widow said, "Although we have no issue, he showered his love to all children alike and I have been his keen follower with all my heart".

To the perpetrators of such a heartless act, she only said, "That is too much and unpardonable".

Dr. Binodkumar (70) used to wear only khadi clothes and was a pure vegetarian.

He worked in the Naturopathy Hospital, Kolkata for some years but he could not concentrate on his work there as he was always concerned with the welfare of youths back home.

Overcome by his intention to work for the youths, he left his work at Kolkata and became an activists for the cause of youths in Manipur, remembered the shattered widow.

His dedication towards promotion of peace in today's violent and restless world can be confirmed from his active association with several organisations including the Gandhi Gram Rural Institute, Didingul, Manipur Sarvadaya Mitra Mandal, National Youths Organisation, South Asia Fraternity, World Conference on Religion and Peace, Manipur Unit, Centre for Gandhian Studies, Manipur University etc.

Not only that, he had been to several international peace and spiritual conferences with the message of peace in the USA, Australia, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, Nepal etc, said the widow of the terror victim.

She informed that in honour of her peace loving husband's concept of oneness in religion Sabadharma Sadhana a prayer session of all religions would be held one day ahead of the saradha ceremony.

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/08-06/editorials617.htm

[Summer Wine]

Sorry to hear that RT.

[Rteacher]

No group has taken credit for the attack on the Krishna temple and thousands of people have protested against such a heinous act (some suspecting complicity by members of local government/ security forces...)

US Consul General Condemns ISKCON Bomb Blast

Aug 25, IMPHAL, MANIPUR (THE HINDU) � Stating that the United States does not accept any kind of violence, the US Consul General Henry Victor Jardine on Thursday condemned the August 16 blast at the ISKCON temple here which left five people dead.

Fielding media persons queries at a press conference while on a visit to the Manipur University here Jardine said the issue of insurgency in the northeast was a domestic problem.

Underlining the rapid developments in Indo-US relations this year, he mentioned the historic Indo-US statement pledging to work together in a host of areas including science, technology, civil nuclear energy, space, democracy, HIV/AIDS research and several other fields.

His country was looking at providing 30 million dollars this fiscal to fight HIV and AIDS in states facing the highest level of infection, he said.

With a present infection rate in the country at approximately 5.1 million and the rate continuing to rise, Manipur and Nagaland have been identified as two of the six states in India with epidemic rates of infection, Jardine said.

Mizoram, Assam and Tripura were also seen as high risk and West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar were also showing signs of facing a potential crisis as well, the consul general said.

The consul general had also met with Governor S S Sidhu, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the chief secretary and director general of police of the state on Wednesday.

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/news/08-06/news676.htm

[Rteacher]

Sadly, Dr. T.H. Singh aka Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami [pictured holding the microphone in this circa 1974 photo...] who had been seriously injured in the grenade blast at the Krishna temple passed away over a week ago in his native Manipura. He was a wonderfully dedicated person who overcame poverty and the loss of both his parents in his youth to become a respected scientist and devotional scholar.

This brief bio (written before his passing...) gives some idea of his achievements and what a great loss it is for those concerned with promoting peace and understanding:

Dr. T. D. Singh received his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of California at Irvine in 1974. He is a scientist and spiritualist known for his pioneering efforts in synthesizing science and religion for a deeper understanding of life and the universe. He has contributed papers in the Journal of American Chemical Society and the Journal of Organic Chemistry in the field of fast proton transfer kinetics in model biological systems using stopped flow technique and NMR spectroscopy. He also worked on gas phase reaction mechanisms using Ion Cyclotron Resonance (ICR) spectroscopy.

He was trained in Vaishnava Vedanta studies from 1970 to 1977 under Srila Prabhupada and was appointed Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute in 1974. He has organized four International conferences on science and religion - First and Second World Congress for the Synthesis of Science and Religion (1986 & 1997), First International Conference on the Study of Consciousness within Science (1990), and Second International Congress on Life and Its Origin. Collectively thousands of prominent scientists and religious leaders including several Nobel Laureates participated. He has authored and edited several books including What is Matter and What is Life? (1977), Theobiology (1979), Synthesis of Science and Religion: Critical Essays and Dialogues (1987) and Thoughts on Synthesis of Science and Religion (2001).

http://binstitute.org/director/index.html
http://binstitute.org/books/index.html

[gang ah jee]

I'm really sorry to hear about this tragedy, Rteacher. That is an absolute crime.

[On the other hand]

That's pretty crummy, RT. Sorry to hear that you're acquaianted with one of the guys.

[Rteacher]

Thanks, ... I had met him personally when he brought a dance troupe (that combined martial arts and Vedic dance and drumming) from Manipur to Orlando, Florida to perform at Disney World's Epcot Center. (I brought over some rice and other vegetarian food supplies to the motel they were staying at...) I've known about it since he passed away nearly two weeks ago, but my cousin died around the same time, and I also wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to post this here or not...

[On the other hand]