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““I am very, very encouraged by your proposal to flood the medias of yourI am very, very encouraged by your proposal to flood the medias of your
country with our Krishna Consciousness program, and see that it iscountry with our Krishna Consciousness program, and see that it is
practically taking shape under your hands, so I am all the more pleasedpractically taking shape under your hands, so I am all the more pleased..
Especially it is nice that because they hear our Krishna Show the people are orderingEspecially it is nice that because they hear our Krishna Show the people are ordering
Krishna Book. This is a very good way to induce the public for accepting ourKrishna Book. This is a very good way to induce the public for accepting our
philosophy, because they are prone to believe and accept whatever they hear on thephilosophy, because they are prone to believe and accept whatever they hear on the
radios and televisions. Now go on in this way increasing more and more, and alwaysradios and televisions. Now go on in this way increasing more and more, and always
stick tight to the point of our philosophy. We should not compromise in any way juststick tight to the point of our philosophy. We should not compromise in any way just
to accommodate the public idea, but we can so tastefully present the real thing thatto accommodate the public idea, but we can so tastefully present the real thing that
we will change the people to accommodate us. Thank you very much for assistingwe will change the people to accommodate us. Thank you very much for assisting
Lord Caitanya so nicely in spreading this Sankirtana Movement.”Lord Caitanya so nicely in spreading this Sankirtana Movement.”
Srila Prabhupada letter to Siddhesvara, Krishnakanti- Calcutta 16Srila Prabhupada letter to Siddhesvara, Krishnakanti- Calcutta 16thth
Febuary 1972Febuary 1972

Communicating to theCommunicating to the
CommunityCommunity

Focus of the presentation…Focus of the presentation…
 Communications overview of functionCommunications overview of function
 Focus on Internal CommunicationFocus on Internal Communication
 How Communications can add valueHow Communications can add value
 How much Communications has saved andHow much Communications has saved and
generated as revenue for ISKCONgenerated as revenue for ISKCON
 What we need to grow exponentiallyWhat we need to grow exponentially
 Support requiredSupport required
 Do’s and Don’ts of CommunicationDo’s and Don’ts of Communication

What is ISKCON Communications?What is ISKCON Communications?
 ISKCON Communication works to create and sustainISKCON Communication works to create and sustain
favorable environments for advancing the goals of thefavorable environments for advancing the goals of the
Krishna Consciousness movement – by establishingKrishna Consciousness movement – by establishing
and maintaining confidence and faith in the integrity ofand maintaining confidence and faith in the integrity of
the movement’s members and its mission.the movement’s members and its mission.
 ISKCON Communications creates goodwill for ISKCONISKCON Communications creates goodwill for ISKCON
amongst all sections of the society.amongst all sections of the society.

7 purposes of ISKCON7 purposes of ISKCON
 To systematically propagate spiritual knowledgeTo systematically propagate spiritual knowledge
 To propagate a Consciousness of KrishnaTo propagate a Consciousness of Krishna
 To bring the members of society together with eachTo bring the members of society together with each
other and nearer to Krishnaother and nearer to Krishna
 To teach and encourage the Sankirtan movementTo teach and encourage the Sankirtan movement
 To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimesTo erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes
dedicated to Krishnadedicated to Krishna
 Teaching a simpler and more natural way of lifeTeaching a simpler and more natural way of life
 To distribute and publish periodicals, magazines andTo distribute and publish periodicals, magazines and
books.books.

Whom does CommunicationWhom does Communication
address?address?
ISKCON
GOvernment
Hindu Organizations
Internal Audience
Religious Groups
Academicians
Media
Administrators
The Media is just, one of the many focus areas for Communications
a s per the ISKCON Communications Objective and 7 Purposes of ISKCON

Internal Audience…Internal Audience…
ISKCON
Many- Mass Media,
Harinama,
Notifications
Ishta Ghoshti
Individual-
Directmailer,
Bhishma,
Invites, Pamphlets
Individual
Individual-
Personal Counseling,
Ashraya,
Bhakti Vrksha
Many- Seminars,
Workshops

ISKCON Communications inISKCON Communications in
Media…Media…
 There is a multiplier effect of coverage in mediaThere is a multiplier effect of coverage in media
 Financial savings in terms of air timeFinancial savings in terms of air time
 ISKCON brand remains top of the mind amongISKCON brand remains top of the mind among
key audiencekey audience
 Opportunities for networking even during TVOpportunities for networking even during TV
opportunitiesopportunities
 Damage ControlDamage Control

Total Airtime Cost of videos aired in last 6 months:Total Airtime Cost of videos aired in last 6 months:
Rs 18,656,800 OROR Rs 18 Million
(This does not include the cost of production, rent, etc.)

Communications: Beyond horizonCommunications: Beyond horizon
 The role of the National Communications SecretariatThe role of the National Communications Secretariat
(NCS) includes, but is not limited to Media. Some of(NCS) includes, but is not limited to Media. Some of
the activities carried out by the NCS this year:the activities carried out by the NCS this year:
 H.H.Radhanath Swami’s Book LaunchH.H.Radhanath Swami’s Book Launch::
[Arranging meetings with President of India, Governor of Delhi, Chief Minister of Delhi and organizing the book launch.][Arranging meetings with President of India, Governor of Delhi, Chief Minister of Delhi and organizing the book launch.]

 ISKCON Utsav (Vishakapatanam):ISKCON Utsav (Vishakapatanam):
[Arranging and coordinating the visit of CM of Andhra Pradesh along with several MP and MLA.][Arranging and coordinating the visit of CM of Andhra Pradesh along with several MP and MLA.]
 Lord Chaitanya’s Sanyas Festival (Mayapur):Lord Chaitanya’s Sanyas Festival (Mayapur):
[Arranging and coordinating the visit of VVIPs to Sridham Mayapur as part of the festival][Arranging and coordinating the visit of VVIPs to Sridham Mayapur as part of the festival]
 Jail Programs across Madhya Pradesh:Jail Programs across Madhya Pradesh:
[Organized several program in Jails and meetings with VVIP’s resulting in ISKCON receiving land[Organized several program in Jails and meetings with VVIP’s resulting in ISKCON receiving land
donations in 2 cities in MP.]donations in 2 cities in MP.]

 Sant Samelan (Delhi):Sant Samelan (Delhi):
[Organizing and coordinating one of the biggest meetings. Speakers included CM of Delhi, Lok[Organizing and coordinating one of the biggest meetings. Speakers included CM of Delhi, Lok
Sabha Speaker, Prominent Business Men and Saints from all over India.]Sabha Speaker, Prominent Business Men and Saints from all over India.]
 Other events where the NCS played a crucial role:Other events where the NCS played a crucial role:
Kumbha Mela (Haridwar)Kumbha Mela (Haridwar)
Programs by ISKCON ChowpattyPrograms by ISKCON Chowpatty
Programs by ISKCON IndorePrograms by ISKCON Indore
•Many religious societies have paid publicity which comes at unquoted rates
which are far higher than advertisement rents
•Besides the ones mentioned, every major festival, and all key events
across India are covered.
•The latest key project for ISKCON Communications is to promote the
Mayapur Project in Delhi

What Communication is and is NOTWhat Communication is and is NOT
 It is not just PR- Public RelationsIt is not just PR- Public Relations
 Publicity is one of the key areasPublicity is one of the key areas
 Building an environment internally and externally, for aBuilding an environment internally and externally, for a
Communications culture,Communications culture,
 thus facilitating top of the mind recall for the ISKCON brand,thus facilitating top of the mind recall for the ISKCON brand,
 as well as enhancing our potential to “influence” situations where weas well as enhancing our potential to “influence” situations where we
need external help to serve Krishna.need external help to serve Krishna.
 One of the key areas where ISKCON Communications can helpOne of the key areas where ISKCON Communications can help
is in Damage Controlis in Damage Control
 Eg. Janmashtami controversy, when the STAR reporter went wildEg. Janmashtami controversy, when the STAR reporter went wild
 Mumbai Guest House controversy when bad news was killedMumbai Guest House controversy when bad news was killed

Internal Devotee CommunityInternal Devotee Community
AudienceAudience
 Ways to value devoteesWays to value devotees
 Understand Needs, Interests and concerns, ask themUnderstand Needs, Interests and concerns, ask them
 Upadeshamrita, Preeti LakshanamUpadeshamrita, Preeti Lakshanam
 Giving them time, neither fanatical nor impersonalGiving them time, neither fanatical nor impersonal
 Istagostis- to improve communication andIstagostis- to improve communication and
community- not for leaders to dictatecommunity- not for leaders to dictate
 Offer encouragementOffer encouragement
 Facilitate needs of body, mind and soulFacilitate needs of body, mind and soul
 Provide training/invest in their futureProvide training/invest in their future

Do’s and Don’ts for ISKCONDo’s and Don’ts for ISKCON
Delhi…Delhi…
 Only authorized spokesperson should address theOnly authorized spokesperson should address the
mediamedia
 The Temple President or relevant subject matter expertThe Temple President or relevant subject matter expert
should not directly approach media for influencingshould not directly approach media for influencing
publicity, news coverage or to improve public relationspublicity, news coverage or to improve public relations
without confirming with the Communications teamwithout confirming with the Communications team
 Interviews, communications etc. should be based onInterviews, communications etc. should be based on
discussions with the Communications teamdiscussions with the Communications team
 All Departments should provide a monthly/fortnightlyAll Departments should provide a monthly/fortnightly
update on important events/happenings for theupdate on important events/happenings for the
Communications team to seek appropriate mediaCommunications team to seek appropriate media
coveragecoverage

 VIP Reception team to provide the best services toVIP Reception team to provide the best services to
visitors as part of a systemvisitors as part of a system
 Administrators, MPs, Entertainers etcAdministrators, MPs, Entertainers etc
 Newsletter and Devotee of the fortnight to be displayedNewsletter and Devotee of the fortnight to be displayed
on the Notice board, support of HODs crucialon the Notice board, support of HODs crucial
 All ISKCON functions- big or small, to feature aAll ISKCON functions- big or small, to feature a
backdrop with the logobackdrop with the logo
 ISKCON doesn’t need publicity, but we need to inspireISKCON doesn’t need publicity, but we need to inspire
the congregation and donors, so publicity is crucial.the congregation and donors, so publicity is crucial.
Do’s and Don’ts for ISKCONDo’s and Don’ts for ISKCON
Delhi…Delhi…

Support requiredSupport required
 Annual Communications budget with variance reporting everyAnnual Communications budget with variance reporting every
monthmonth
 Full fledged secretariat with Fax, computer, printer, 2 devoteeFull fledged secretariat with Fax, computer, printer, 2 devotee
resources and one office assistant for efficiencyresources and one office assistant for efficiency
 Office space with appropriate ambienceOffice space with appropriate ambience
 Needs to be revamped and decorated appropriatelyNeeds to be revamped and decorated appropriately
 Water Dispenser to cater to the needs of key visitorsWater Dispenser to cater to the needs of key visitors

Current Structure…Current Structure…
Vrajendra Nandan Das
National Commns.
Director
Rishi Kumara Das
English PR& Commns
Lalita Madhava Das
Assistant
Vacant
Secretary
English Media
Vacant
Secretary may overlap as a preaching resource as well

Immediate way forwardsImmediate way forwards
 Communications Secretariat Office for NationalCommunications Secretariat Office for National
Communications and Delhi NCRCommunications and Delhi NCR
 Comm. Comm.- The Committee which willComm. Comm.- The Committee which will
advise us on Strategy, consisting of externaladvise us on Strategy, consisting of external
experts and some senior devoteesexperts and some senior devotees
 Focus Group Discussion to decide our VisionFocus Group Discussion to decide our Vision
for ISKCON Delhifor ISKCON Delhi
 Communication between HODs and withinCommunication between HODs and within
Management CouncilManagement Council

 Who’s who of the temple with contacts, on the noticeWho’s who of the temple with contacts, on the notice
boardboard
 Meetings by appointment -culture with senior devoteesMeetings by appointment -culture with senior devotees
for outsidersfor outsiders
 Ishtagoshtis to ensure regular internal communicationIshtagoshtis to ensure regular internal communication
 Direction and preaching descriptions inside the templeDirection and preaching descriptions inside the temple
hall, to and fro.hall, to and fro.
 20 days for rest of India, 10 days for Delhi- NCR20 days for rest of India, 10 days for Delhi- NCR
allotted for National Communications Directorallotted for National Communications Director
 Regular flow of VIPs to be ensured on these 10 daysRegular flow of VIPs to be ensured on these 10 days

 Temple BrochureTemple Brochure
 Web site content to be regularly revamped andWeb site content to be regularly revamped and
maintainedmaintained
 Can provide Contet supportCan provide Contet support
 Delhi NCR Communications meeting toDelhi NCR Communications meeting to
regularize coverage including overlapping ofregularize coverage including overlapping of
Communication efforts with Punjabi BaghCommunication efforts with Punjabi Bagh

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ISKCON Communications (India)

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