Lord Krishna in the 21st Century
Chapter 7- Food for Life, Australia
Regarding disaster relief, one area to help us understand the potential success that is within our grasp is to look at the achievements of the Australian Food for Life program. Here I am referring to a specific Meals-On-Wheels program that was originally running under the leadership of Priyavrata dasa.
The important thing about this (that he later discussed in his newsletter) was how even though the program was quite small in scope, national credit was still quick to come. In other words, their modest effort was never criticized for being too small. Rather, it was their sincere effort that counted and, indeed, quickly recognized by the Australian government.
This is important to remember. In fact, this very point was again illustrated on CNN when a good two minutes was dedicated to praising an obscure relief agency who's aid was actually minute in comparison to the total devastation they were trying to address.
It is therefore my proposal (along with the tremendous fact how everyone loves a hero) that even though our efforts will never reach everyone, no one will complain. Nobody criticizes the man who runs into a burning building but can only save two of the four children trapped inside.
Actually there is more to this than just my high hopes. Besides the lesson with the Australian meals-on-wheels program, I have personally interacted with many of the professional men and women who respond to disasters. I have attended classes with them, been welcomed by the mayor of Denver to observe a city-wide disaster drill held in their city hall, and during actual disasters I have worked shoulder to shoulder with them. These are some of the nicest people I have had the privilege to meet and after hours of contact with them (as a Hare Krsna devotee) I am convinced of their open-mindedness and complete willingness to work with people of all faiths.
In fact, here in America, they are already organized to do this under a single banner, representing many diverse faiths and interests. This organization will be discussed later. I even have a letter from their headquarters inviting Krishna Disaster Relief to join (see Table of Contents). But to begin with, the important point is that you will never hear a particular group called out for not doing enough. They are all volunteers and are simply doing what they can to help out in times of disaster. This is all that is expected of them.
There is an enormous potential here. This is what Krishna Disaster Relief is all about.
Note: Public Domain photo of volunteers assisting Hurricane victims at the Houston Astrodome, following Hurricane Katrina.
