17th World Tour: Veracruz, Mexico. Mayors welcome.

Sri Sri Guru-Gaurangau Jayatah!

17th World Tour of
Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

Mexico
Mayor of Boca del Rio receives Srila Gurudev

Bhuvan Mohan Prabhu reports

30 November 2000

Date: Thur, 30 Nov 2000
From: Bhuvan Mohan Das, Veracruz, Mexico
Subject: Mayor's reception of His Divine Grace
To: Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math <info@scsmath.com>
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It is my inconceivable fortune to be able to be here in Veracruz, Mexico, engaged in a personal service to Srila Gurudeva, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, as his translator to Spanish. Indeed those who can perform some direct seva to the pure Vaisnava are such fortunate persons.

After the breathing difficulties natural of arriving and staying for a day in Mexico City at 2,200 meters of altitude, His Divine Grace is feeling very well. He is very happy to see the serving mood of the Mexican devotees and the extremely efficient arrangements offered to him by the devotees lead by Sripad Ashram Maharaj, Laksmirani Didi, Maduchanda Didi and others.

The house they arranged for him is very opulent, and he has excellent private quarters and a great hall for giving lectures every morning and afternoon.

Now, I am writing you this email to tell about the grandiose event that took place yesterday. Señora Rafaela Montalbo, who is the Mayor and main representatives of the city of Boca del Rio, in Veracruz, came to take darshan from His Divine Grace and offered him the Key to the City. The Mayor, a lady, made the following introductory speech, which I translated for the benefit and happiness of all devotees:

Good Afternoon.
Your Divine Grace,
Fellow representatives,
Distinguished members of the Bhakti Yoga religion.

Our city opens its doors to receive the highest authority of the oldest religion in the world who visits our country for the third time.

We, as authorities, have been making our best to offer recognition to all those personages who enthuse higher values in their fields of activities.

And there is not a higher way of doing so than from such an ancient religion as Bhakti Yoga.

I believe that beyond the ideological differences anyone may carry, it is imperative that all try hard to defend those principles and values that exalt us as human beings.

Such is the discipline that lead Srila Govinda Maharaj's mission by being able to harmonise with supreme intelligence, what turns him into a person who deserves all our admiration.

Welcome to Boca del Rio, this city is your home.

Your visit enriches us as persons and as public authorities, receiving you here just a few days before ending our management (term of government) elected by the citizens, and which we tried to fulfil in an honest and efficient way.

We all feel very proud that after the opportunity to serve citizenship we have been able to know such important and transcendental persons like yourself.

Sincere congratulations to the ladies group that with so much dedication have organised all concerning your visit and who from months ago began preparations.

In this way, Srila Govinda Maharaj, you are our Distinguished Visitor and we wish you enjoy the grandiose environment Boca del Rio has to offer.

With thanks and appreciation.

Señora Rafaela Montalbo
The Mayor of the City of Boca del Rio.

After the speech, the First Lady of the City showed much respect to Srila Govinda Maharaj and handed him the Key of the City and a recognition diploma. Srila Gurudeva also gave her three nicely hardbound Spanish books of our Mission.

The whole ceremony was filled with the natural affection always emanating from Srila Govinda Maharaj. At the end, he mentioned how he was considering that as Boca del Rio has a lady manager, the place of our higher aspiration also is managed and controlled by a lady, Radharani.

She answered pointing to her saffron-coloured dress, "I knew that from before."
All felt much awed and happy to see their devotional dealings.

Please forgive my poor English. I am writing moved by the best spirit of seva to Srila Gurudeva and the Vaisnavas.

-Bhuvan Mohan Das

URL: http://www.scsmath.com/worldtour/17/vrcrz_mayor.html
Slightly updated 28 December 2000
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