At the CSRR SISA 2024, (L to R) Utpala Das, Gopal Nathji Das, Rasasindhu Das, Mr. Ubon Udoh, Ganga Prasad Das, Ananta Acarya Das, Rati Devi Dasi, Mrs. Mita Kacharia and Damodara Das.

On November 24th, a ceremony took place at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, where ISKCON Lagos received a prestigious award at the CSR Reporters’ Social Impact and Sustainability Awards (SISA) 2024. The event recognized top Nigerian organizations for their exceptional commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. ISKCON Lagos was honored alongside notable companies such as Dangote Cement, TotalEnergies, BUA Group, 7Up Bottling Company, Presco Plc, NASCON Allied Industries, and AIICO Insurance. The award highlighted the temple’s remarkable efforts in uplifting the local community through humanitarian and spiritual outreach. The ceremony showcased ISKCON Lagos’ impactful initiatives, including food distribution, educational programs, and spiritual outreach, which have significantly benefited underserved populations in Lagos.

Dr. Kirti Sudhanshu, the founder of CSR Reporters, a Kirti Kares Foundation (KKF) initiative, shared the foundation’s rationale for selecting ISKCON Lagos as the recipient of this award. She explained, “ISKCON Lagos was selected for this award because of their consistent dedication to uplifting communities through their humanitarian efforts. Their programs, such as food distribution, education initiatives, and spiritual outreach, demonstrate a profound commitment to serving society selflessly. What truly stood out to me was their ability to combine compassion with action, reaching some of the most underserved populations in Lagos. Their exemplary service aligns perfectly with the values we uphold at CSR Reporters—celebrating organizations that create meaningful, positive change.”

Dr. Kirti also emphasized the importance of collaboration in amplifying impact. “Our discussions with Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami have been incredibly insightful, particularly regarding strategies to deepen community development and make spiritual teachings more accessible,” she said. “At KKF, we believe in the power of collaboration to amplify impact. Moving forward, we aim to associate and collaborate with ISKCON Lagos on possible initiatives such as expanding their food relief programs, organizing vocational training workshops, and enhancing their youth engagement activities. By combining our resources and expertise, we can collectively create sustainable change in Lagos and beyond.”

As the senior guide of ISKCON Lagos, Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami played a key role in encouraging the devotees to attend the ceremony and accept the award on behalf of the community. While Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami could not participate personally in the ceremony, he emphasized the spiritual significance of the recognition, “I was very pleased to hear that ISKCON Lagos was being honored for its humanitarian efforts. This award is not just a recognition of our general activities, but a spiritual victory. Our efforts in serving the community—whether it’s distributing prasadam, planning toward ultimately growing our own food, or providing spiritual education—are all part of our larger mission to spread Krishna consciousness. By accepting this award, we are presenting Krishna consciousness to a wider audience and showing how our spiritual practices can be integrated with humanitarian service.”

Reflecting on the significance of the award, Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami shared that it was a recognition of the combined efforts of ISKCON Lagos over many years. “This award acknowledges the tireless efforts of the devotees who have worked hard to develop and expand the community here in Lagos,” he said. “It’s not just a recognition of our efforts but a recognition of the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, whose instructions we are trying to follow to the best of our ability. It is a recognition of the entire community and everyone’s contribution over the years.”

His leadership has had a profound impact on ISKCON Lagos, as he has continually emphasized blending practical humanitarian action with spiritual life. “What we are doing here is trying to give everything for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada,” he reflected. “Every program we run here, whether it’s food distribution or educational initiatives, is an expression of our devotional service. It’s all for spreading Krishna’s mercy. Our work in the community is not for recognition; it is for Srila Prabhupada and the welfare of the souls in this world.”

Ganga Prasad Das recieved the CSRR SISA 2024 Award on behalf of Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and the ISKCON Lagos Community.

Ganga Prasad Das, a long-time devotee from the ISKCON Lagos community, attended the CSR Reporters award ceremony with other key members of the temple to accept the award on behalf of Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and the broader community. While the recognition of ISKCON Lagos’ humanitarian work had been highlighted by Dr. Kirti and Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, Ganga Prasad offered additional insights into the personal and collective significance of the award for the devotees.

“This award is a testament to the collective dedication and humility of the devotees here at ISKCON Lagos,” Ganga Prasad shared. “It’s not just a recognition of what we’ve accomplished in terms of humanitarian outreach and community service; it’s a celebration of the love and unity that drives these efforts.”

He further emphasized that while the temple’s food distribution programs and educational initiatives were central to the recognition, the spirit of devotion that fueled these efforts was what truly made the difference. “We are a community that works together, not for awards or recognition, but because of the deep spiritual calling we feel to serve others. The real success is in being able to serve humbly and wholeheartedly, inspired by the guidance of our Swami and Srila Prabhupada.”

Ganga Prasad also expressed the unique role that Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami played in their work. “Maharaj’s leadership has always been centered on compassion, and it’s that compassion that motivates us all. He has always been a guiding force, reminding us that our service is an extension of our love for Krishna and that we do everything for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.” He mentioned that the Swami had specifically encouraged the devotees to accept the award as a way to honor the community’s collective efforts and continue to inspire others through their actions.

Dr. Kirti also shared a personal connection to the work being done by ISKCON Lagos. “What resonates deeply with me about ISKCON Lagos is their unwavering commitment to the principles of service and humility, which Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami exemplifies through his leadership,” she said. “His vision of integrating spirituality into everyday life while addressing societal challenges inspired me on a personal level. This connection has motivated me to ensure that our CSR initiatives not only provide material support but also nurture the spiritual and emotional well-being of the communities we serve in Nigeria.”

The recognition from CSR and KKF has energized the devotees of ISKCON Lagos, inspiring them to continue expanding their outreach efforts. “We have many plans for the future,” Ganga Prasad said. “With the support of the Kirti Kares Foundation and other like-minded organizations, we will continue to grow and offer more spiritual nourishment to the people of Lagos.”

As ISKCON Lagos moves forward with its humanitarian and spiritual initiatives, the recognition serves as both a reward for their ongoing efforts and a reminder of the work still to be done. The award has set the stage for future collaborations, with the shared goal of creating lasting positive change in the region. As Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami put it, “This is not the end of the journey. It is simply a new beginning. With Krishna’s guidance and the support of our brothers and sisters in ISKCON, we will continue to expand our service and make a lasting impact in the lives of the people of Lagos and beyond.”

Moreover, the award and the ensuing recognition have opened doors for ISKCON Lagos to engage with higher echelons of society, including figures like Mrs. Abubakar, who has shown strong interest in supporting their work. “This is an opportunity for us to further integrate into the fabric of society,” said Ganga Prasad. “By receiving this recognition, we have established ourselves as not just a spiritual institution, but a valuable contributor to the community, working alongside other organizations with a shared vision of positive change. The collaboration with key figures like Mrs. Abubakar will only help amplify the good work we’re doing here.”

The temple’s newfound visibility among influential members of Nigerian society, coupled with the award’s momentum, serves to solidify ISKCON Lagos’ place in the broader community, encouraging even greater participation in their initiatives. The award is not only a validation of past work but a catalyst for the future, providing new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and outreach in ways previously desired and exemplified through the efforts of Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami in the region.

As ISKCON Lagos looks to the future, the CSR award is a powerful affirmation of the spiritual community’s enduring commitment to humanitarian service. It reflects the deep-seated values of compassion and service that define ISKCON’s mission while creating an opening for even more transformative collaborations in the coming years.

Readers are warmly invited to follow ISKCON Lagos on their Facebook page to stay updated on their inspiring efforts and ongoing initiatives as they continue to serve the Lagos community with dedication and compassion.