Hare Krishna everyone,
With two festivals notched on our belt, (University of Florida in Gainesville and Tampa Bay), we're coming closer and closer to the full-fledged 2007 Festival of India tour. What that means is currently, we're endeavoring our very best to make sure that everything this year is in tip top shape. Panels are being restored and new one's designed, ideas are being channeled to sort out what is feasible and practical, and thus far our best tangible addition has been the brightly colored brand new tent tops for our tents.

As I type, several devotees are pulling their efforts to bring our older fiberglass panels into shape headed by FOI Headquarters' very own Bala. I'm not sure how many of our readers have dealt much with fiberglass, but I can tell you, we live with respirator masks on for most of the day, our bodies itch far into the sleeping hours, and sometimes the heat waves of the upcoming spring and summer months hit all helping bodies with a dampening ability of service.. However, all of this anxieties are far surpassed by the fact of knowing that each of the panels is just like a chapter of one of Srila Prabhupada's books, ready to benefit anyone who as much as glances on it. Even though there's some hardship, everyone is in good spirits helping to shape Festival of India in the year to come.

Along side this effort, Phani Bhusan and Rasikananda are the driving forces behind a new "Who Is Prabhupada" exhibit that will hopefully be unveiled by our first festival in May. I've been helping with what I know how to do in that realm, but Rasikananda is both enthusiastic and expert at the design where Phani Bhusan has perfectly chosen the text. Having worked previously as a designer, the match is Krishna's perfect arrangement. Within a fortnight all materials should be available for the design process to be applied to the 3 dimensional aspect. With just a tinge of mercy, all will proceed fluidly leading, hopefully, to development of newer, better, and more effective panels in our preaching efforts.
As anyone can see, this one area, separated into two aspects is our main endeavor right now.

I had done a tour at Krishna dot Com right after our trip to Tampa and this handy new looking festivalofindia.org was the outcome of Manu's teaching spree. Any ideas or inputs are welcome. Currently I'm working on finding pictures to add to our photo galleries and creating an easy to use format so that those we serve and those we may potentially serve can see what others have done in the advertising capacity. (Basically, a flash presentation of last year’s flyers and posters with possibly the addition of some archival documents.)

The mood in 2007 seems to be effective and by Krishna's mercy that's what will happen. With a potential for 23 festivals this year that we know of, it seems a very viable goal. If you want us to come to your town let us know, we'll try to help. Until then, see you at the festival.....

At your service,
Jagannatha Puri Dhama Dasa