Shyamalangi Mataji - Appreciation Circle

[Radha Bhakti dd]

Hare Krishna dear Ratha Yatra family,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! 

I'm so sad that Shyamalangi Mataji and family are leaving Toronto. I know that greater things lie ahead, and I know that she and the family are under the loving care and guidance of Sri Sri Radha Ksircora Gopinath, but the idea of not seeing her once a week, and not working with her anymore on the Hospitality team, makes me tremendously sad.

Everyone's lives, including mine, seem to be super hectic for the next little while. I realize it will be difficult for all of us to get together in person, so can we have a little e-appreciation circle for Shyamalangi Mataji and family? I'm sure many of you have already spoken / written to her, but it's nice doing this in a group setting too. 

If you don't mind, I'll start. Before I do - a quick question for everyone. Can we all be at the temple on Sunday the 20th? Shyamalangi Mataji, does that work for you and family? Perhaps we can all try to eat together in the dining hall or something. 

My dearest Shyamalangi Mataji and family, here is my appreciation for you:

It's funny how when an era comes to an end, one starts to remember the beginning. I remember when you all first arrived in Toronto. You were this new family from Dubai, and we all immediately had our camel jokes handy....a new family from Dubai! Now we could tease Madhavi AND a whole new family! :) From the very beginning, you displayed your unparalleled service attitude. Shyamalangi Mataji started with small, glorious services, like flower garlands, or cleaning. Sailesh Prabhu, as always, was supportive and kind, easily making friends (in part because of all of the hair jokes he'd make about himself!). Radhika and Rishabh, although new to the community, also quickly got everyone's attention. Radhika because she is extremely intelligent and sweet....a little grown up. And Rishabh, at first because of his naughty nature, but also because his devotion is obvious - clearly a product of wonderful parenting. 

The kids inspire me for a lot of reasons. Rishabh because of his wonderful dedication and eagerness to serve. Whether it is playing the mrdanga, or rushing to serve someone else prasadam, or singing in a kirtan, he is always upfront, ready and willing. And Radhika, because even though she's so young, she feels like a friend more than a niece! She is wise beyond her years, and also a dedicated and sweet devotee (and an awesome scapegoat to do the 'creative' parts of our Hospitality updates in meetings!).

Sailesh Prabhu, I'll always be grateful to you for all of the service you've done for the Hospitality team and the festival as a whole. Running around, doing airport runs, doing cut up (with the kids!), bringing me prasadam in my most tired moments at the island --- it is so wonderful and calming to know that someone is there in the background, always supporting, always there for us. And, you never ask for credit or recognition. I can't tell you how much I appreciate, respect, and admire that.

I have so much more to say but I know this is getting long.

Shyamalangi Mataji...what can I say? You are my dearmost sister and friend. Working with you on the RY team has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I am so grateful for your association. You are a dedicated mother, friend, disciple, wife. You show us all by example how to balance it all. It's not easy being the head of hospitality with young children. And you've done it with ease and grace. Thank you for being my rock, my backbone, every single festival. Thank you for your eagerness to serve...it is so inspiring.

Honestly I can say so much more but this is getting way too long for a group setting! I will write more to you later.

I will miss you all terribly. We hope you will come back soon. As we always say, once a committee member, always a committee member! Don't think we won't put you to work in Dubai! :)

With lots of love,

Your servant,

Radha Bhakti devi dasi 

[Anjan Parikkshat]

Thank you radha bhakti for doing this, have been thinking about doing something as part of RY committee.

Here is my appreciation below:

Hare Krsna shyamalangi mataji, sailesh prabhu!

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to srila prabhupada. 

I don't remember bidding you farewell when you all left from dubai to come here since I personally din't get much of your association so often back then but thats the beauty and blessing of srila prabhupad movement to get to know you better after coming to other end of the world! 

It's not often we realize the value of someone until we know that we are not going to get their association any more. You have truly shown so much of care and love for me, I am going to miss all of that - you even sometime prepared "dahi vada" from home and got some for me and said "I always think of making something for you since you're all by yourself but I am sorry that I am not able to do that". That meant alot to me and really touched! Just the thought that you want to cook something for me makes me feel unworthy of your love and care. 

My first trip to New Vrindavan back in 2011 was because of yourself and prabhu agreeing to give a ride after Madhavi had asked if I could join along. It was a very last minute trip and wouldn't have been possible without yourself and Sailesh prabhu. One of the most memorable trip since I had met Radhanath Swami for the first time in my life. They shall remain my cherished memories! 

Sailesh prabhu other than being a handy person to approach for help during Rath Yatra, is also a really funny and wonderful friend to have. We have these casual conversations often and he has to say something hilarious! I admire prabhu's easy to approach nature and humility. He does his services sincerely and is no where in the limelight. 

Rishabh and Radhika are wonderful kids - needless to say that Rishabh is the naughty one! I wish and pray for them to continue with their baby steps in making progress in their Krishna Consciousness. 

You have done so much for me, I am very grateful for it! I sincerely pray that you continue to keep me in your care & shelter. 

Though you're leaving Toronto, there are still possibility of meeting up with you in dubai when I come to visit my parents :)

you will be missed..

ys, anjan 

 

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Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2013 08:59:50 -0400
Subject: Shyamalangi Mataji - Appreciation Circle
From: radhabha...@gmail.com
To: foi...@googlegroups.com; sailes...@yahoo.com

[Hina S]

Radha Bhakti, thank you for starting this. People walk in and out of our lives all the time and more often it so happens that we miss out on the opportunity to appreciate them. It lingers on as an "I should have...." 

Please find my inadequate but heartfelt appreciation below: 

Dear Shyamalangi mataji and Sailesh prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada and his grandchildren like yourselves, working hard to spread the glories of His name. 

I only recently found out that you were leaving and was really taken by surprise! You're one of those faces that I was used to seeing at the Sunday Feast and it feels like only yesterday when you (and I) started visiting their Lordships', Sri Sri Radha Ksir Chor Gopinath's, home. 

I remember the first time I had heard of you was back in 2009, on my trip to Dxb. Shubha mataji had told me that you had helped decorate her gorgeous alter. Of course, I didn't remember that; Namrata told me months after that you were "that mataji" and that you were in Toronto. 

I haven't had many opportunities to serve with you but from what Radha Bhakti has expressed, I know we will feel your absence. You're always smiling, appreciative of people, and so friendly; on so many occasions you've opened your house and heart for devotees. This, I understand, would not have been possible without your other half. 

Sailesh prabhu is so SO inspirational. He's hands down, one of the coolest devotees I've come across! He's not just patient and humble but also always(!) ready to serve in ANY capacity and so good natured. His random hilarious comments or jokes, especially about how he lost his hair, and his quality of being so comfortable in his skin without any pretence- is so rare. I did not get an opportunity to bid him farewell; please pass on my sincerest regards to him. I pray for his continued attachment to serving his family of devotees without any need for personal recognition. 

Love is to tell someone about Krsna. Your children are so fortunate to have such loving parents who by example, are teaching them who's Boss. Who life should be centred around. What one should aspire for. Who one should be friends with. What one should eat. How one should live. I pray that Radhika and Rishabh remain fixed and dedicated to Srila Prabhupada's joyful process of liberating oneself and others from this material realm. 

You're such a fighter, mataji. Be it doing better service without compromises or ensuring something happens timely, you stick it out until the very end. You're going back to Damodardesh but I pray that it's with great experiences, greater enthusiasm and much drive to please Deities and devotees. Do remember that we all will always be connected to you-through service and sankirtan. 

Praying for your safe flight and a smooth transition there. 

Your aspiring servant,

Hina

[Madhavi Mangu]

Dearest Shyamalangi Mataji,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

It is very funny how you only realize how special the devotees are when you are not in their presence! I have been fortunate to have known you ever since I was around 13 years old.. even before Rishabh and Radhika were born (boy I feel old :-) ) and yet, I think this is the first time I am actually appreciating you for all that you have done for me.

 

Back in Damodardesh (Dubai), we never spent much time with each other as you were (and still are) closer to my Mom but I fondly remember the afternoons you used to come by from work to hang out with us. And all your wonderful home programs – they were legendary! I think the last time Lokanatha Maharaj was in Dubai in 2006 I believe, was when we spoke about you all potentially coming to Canada. You had given me a picture of Gopinatha from Nagpur temple which I still have and used it all through my University days on my altar!

 

I was super happy when you came to Toronto, because finally I had some one who could really understand how AWESOME Dubai is :-) - and also take the brunt of the “Camel” & “Sand” jokes! In seriousness, it was really nice because I got to have your association this time around. It was wonderful doing different services with you! You are so enthusiastic all the time – be it by wanting to make garlands for Krishna, or cooking, or taking care of VIPs or just being there to help devotees. You have also shown by example how to balance Sadhana, Services and managing Grhasta Ashram properly. Thank you for all the love!!

 

I am also extremely thankful to you for all that you did for my wedding. Without the help and support you and Sailesh Prabhu gave my parents and I, it would have not been possible. My father leaned so heavily on Sailesh Prabhu to help us with so many things and each time he did it, it was with a smile! Actually, that is the most awesome thing about Sailesh Prabhu – he LOVES to do service and always does it with a smile. I will NEVER forget RY 2010 when he came upto me with a watermelon slice and told me with the biggest smile that he had a great time with the huge knife chopping watermelon for 8 hours!!! I am not sure any one else would be smiling but he was able to find joy even in that service!

 

Rishabh and Radhika are such wonderful kids! I was very touched this year at RY when Radhika came running to me when she saw me and gave me a huge hug and said how much she missed me!! During Krsna Kathamrtam 2 years ago, we got to see how well you have trained these kids as they confidently spoke and gave amazing Sunday Feast classes!!! Being able to raise Krsna Conscious children is one of the hardest and the most satisfying services and I know your Guru Maharaj & Srila Prabhupada are very pleased by this!

 

As sad as I am that you are leaving the shelter of Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha and all the devotees, I am also really excited for you! Damodardesh has really changed and grown in the past 5 years and is in a cusp of KC explosion with a lot of innovative outreach programs happening. After moving to Austin, I had a realization that Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha’s true mercy is that they provide you a wonderful training ground where you get to work and serve with amazing devotees who are talented, skillful and show you the right mood of how to do service. The best service we can do for the Lordships and devotees is to take all that we learnt and experienced and share it with our new family. I use the word family, because no matter which part of the world you go to – KC family is always there for you J! Who knows, 5 years later, DDY RY might be just like Toronto’s RY..with 3 huge chariots going down Shk. Zayed road!!!

 

I wish you all the best with this new chapter in your life! Please keep in touch and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. I look forward to seeing you when I come to Dubai next!!!

 

In your service,

 

Mahasundari Madhavi dasi

 

PS: I will miss your Pav Bhaji!!!

 

PPS: Thank you Radha Bhakti for starting this!

Sent from my iPhone

[Tarun kandala]

Dear Shyamalangi mataji and Shailesh prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am very sad to see you guys leave Toronto but at the same time, really happy for you that you will be able to get back to normal (financially) in Dubai. I know how hard it was for you to get settled in Canada and I am glad that you took a bold move to go back to Dubai. Not everyone can do this. 

But as I said, we will miss your association and as everyone said, we will miss mataji's delicious food and prabhu's brotherly love. It is not going to be the same here in Toronto without you guys and definitely not the same during Ratha-yatra meetings. 

I really wish both you, Rishabh and Radhika all the best and I am sure wherever you are, Sri Sri Radha KsiraCora Gopinath's mercy will always be with you. 

YS,

Tarun

Tarun Kandala

[Yuriy Odinets]

Dear mataji Shyamalangi and Sailesh prabhu,

It was a great pleasure for me to have your association! Thank you for your great contribution to ISKCON Toronto by your active involvement, especially for a very significant service in Ratha-Yatra hospitality. I want to especially thank you for your exceptional hospitality you provided to me when I was at your home - never before anyone cooked a non-spicy dish for me on a home program, I really appreciated it!

It is sad to hear that you are leaving, but I am sure you will be back at least for some Toronto Ratha-Yatras :) Have an easy trip back to Dubai and a successful settlement there!

your servant,

Yura

[puneet sood]

Dear Shailesh Prabhu and Shyamalangi Mataji

PAMHO AGTSP

It was great to know you and see how at every step you are always engaged in mood of selfless service  

we all will miss your association specially matajis contribution in Toronto Rathyatra and also whenever she got an opportunity she would quietly come and serve temple, I can share recent pastime so everyone knows how jubilant Gopinath feels when mataji served him with love and devotion

one morning during Shrinigara Aartik (700am) 

I was amazed to see Krishnas smile and beauty, he was looking much more beautiful and happy than usual, eager to know the reason and to find what's the secret behind this happiness i asked the head pujaris what did they do that krishnas so happy they looked back and replied that it was because of the new breakfast cook, as Gopinath has enjoyed the feast he is very pleased and very happy. I dint knew who cooked breakfast so ran to the kitchen and saw shyamalangi mataji there finishing her kitchen service.

Sri Sri Radha Khirachora Gopinath and all of us at Newremuna dhaam will miss the amazing breakfast which mataji would prepare and will never forget your service for all the devotees and dieties, we are sad that we wont be having your association but are surrendered against krishnas will 

Please forgive me for my offences and wishing you all the best in serving Guru & Gauranga, hope you will be back soon and will allow us to serve you 

All Glories to your service, All glories to Srilla Prabhupada

Your Servant

PS

[kanaad takhtar]

Thanks Radha B for starting this circle, it shows how much care you have for devotees.

Hare Krsna Mataji and family
It's Radharani's blessing that I got an opportunity to be a part of Her kitchen, otherwise I might have missed the wonderful and caring association of mataji. As we all are aware she is an amazing cook. But I am the lucky one :-) who got the opportunity to help her cook the most amazing breakfast's for Radhakirchor and temple devotees. Always made sure she is cooking some thing different and elegant, with love and devotion. Puneet prabhu said it right, newremuna is going to miss your wonderful breakfast, your association, love and care for devotees. One thing is for sure Dubai temple is lucky and they are going enjoy and cheriesh your amazing association.
Shailesh prabhu, thank you for your wonderful association and service. You have always made yourself available to drive devotees, doing
endless airport pick ups. You have always been helpful in loading and unloading trucks during RY.

Thank you for your amazing association. And for hosting RY award party at your place. Please keep visiting Toronto temple.

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Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2013 18:23:26 -0300
Subject: Re: Shyamalangi Mataji - Appreciation Circle
From: soodpu...@gmail.com
To: foi...@googlegroups.com
CC: sailes...@yahoo.com

[Rukmini dd]

Hare Krishna dearest Shyamalangi mataji, Sailesh prabhu and family,

Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Where to begin? Your family instantly became a part of our big ISKCON Toronto family and I don't think we can remember a time without you all! You all have brought such needed enthusiasm to our family as well as your love and care for all the devotees around you. The whole family is always ready to serve without any questions and it something we all aspire to. We will miss you dearly and we hope that you always think of Toronto as your FIRST home ;). 

Hoping to serve you once again,

your servant,

-Rukmini dd