Vedic Village Review #46 And Their New Website

 October 25, 2015. Adventures in New Jaipur, Prabhupadanuga Farm in Fiji

NEWSBITS

It is a late spring here in Fiji, as the cool and dry weather persists due to what scientists call the El Nino phenomenon. For several months now we are getting a good rain only once every two weeks or so, instead of the usual drenching rains every day or two. Normally, the wet season would have started by now. Nevertheless, all agricultural enterprises here and nearby are doing fairly well, while many dry and leeward areas in the islands are in a state of full drought.
After five years of residency and 10 months after application for naturalization, Nityananda das became a Fiji citizen. His family has recently applied for citizenship as well. Now we are truly becoming “locals” or “kaiviti” as it is said in the Fijian language. Fiji is quite open to foreigners taking up residency in Fiji, especially on the “assured income” basis where one simply needs at least US$100K in the bank and is able to support himself. Otherwise, many long-time “expats” have lived here on six month tourist visas, exiting and promptly returning twice a year. A round trip ticket to Auckland is about FJ$750, less to Vanuatu. (2.14 FJD to 1.00 USD)

New arrivals to New Jaipur: Bhakta Samuel is landing in early November to study and practice Krishna consciousness in the association of the other devotees here. He found Prabhupada’s mercy through a Prabhupadanuga in Germany, chants 16 rounds, and is an intelligent young man, 18 or 19. There are several more devotees coming to live or visit in the very near future, including another resident family whose cottage is nearing completion.

It also appears we may rescue another cow very soon, a white Brahman-Jersey mixed heifer almost a year old. She will be the cutest of our six bovines! The artificial, three generation insemination scheme is off to a slow start, mainly because the one and only AI specialist on this island has missed the last four cows in heat because his phone was turned off, it was the weekend, or he was busy… (!@#??!@?) However, we are not giving up on our quest to establish a first-class herd of true A2 milk cows in Fiji. No confirmed pregnancies yet…

Of the six cottages in New Jaipur that were started in April 2014, three are complete, and the other three about 75% complete. Two are occupied, one more is firmly accounted for,
with interest in the other three. After these six cottages are all taken, we will of course require more housing for devotee families, but we are not exactly sure how to go about it yet. Perhaps a well-to-do sponsor or patron will appear to assist with expanding the Vedic village model?

The cows have gotten all new pasture gates, and fence repairs were undertaken as necessary. Shyamali, our sole milking cow, has dropped her production to about only a liter a day, not much for sure. We are excusing her because she arrived here recently from Bua, where there was literally no grass after 8 months without rain. However, she has allowed Anika, Saradiya, and SriGovinda to learn how to milk a cow. Hey, this is a big step towards self-sufficiency! We can milk cows now!

NOTES ON SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Sometimes we get inquiries as to the cost of living. Of course, that all depends on the person and his ability or determination to live simply by utilizing what is here already, as opposed to carrying on with “requiring” that which we are used to from past habits. If one insists on “needing” cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, or other cold climate veggies, and expects to have them regularly in a warm humid tropical Fijian climate, there could be some disappointment. Each place in the world has its own flora , and to live in Fiji, it is advisable to adapt to foods that are locally grown already. It may also prove feasible to introduce other foods that are suited to the climate even though few have tried producing them in Fiji yet.

Above: photo of kumala leaves which can be cooked as a spinach, very nice. Kumala is a 3 month sweet potato that has prolific vining leaves that can be harvested anytime while the roots are “making” Underground.

Bhakta Benjamin and wife Anika here in New Jaipur have opined that a veggie garden is not a life and death necessity in Fiji because there are plenty of things naturally available which can adequately feed one; with grains, sugar, and spices excluded. These items are: coconuts, papaya, bananas, water cress, wild weeds, bele, ota, kumala leaves, breadfruit, ivi nuts, dalo, cassava. Much of this list are volunteer plants and can be eaten as fruit or cooked as vegetables (bananas, papaya), or require a simple one-time planting (dalo, cassava, kumala).

Once one becomes accustomed to the easy cultivation or collection of about a dozen local plants, the veggie problem is solved. Rice is the commonly grown local grain, and “Rewa rice” is a popular, red, unpolished variety that is very filling. Other sources of protein that we have put efforts into are macadamia nuts, peanuts, ivi nuts, and mung beans.

For fruits, we await the maturation of our two orchards with hundreds of trees of staple and exotic varieties. This year we see that the avocadoes are starting to produce much more than the 25 introductory, “teaser” fruits we picked last year.
So what is the cost of living here? A few hundred Fiji dollars a month can go a very long way in providing that which we are not yet proficient at producing on the farm. Some of the remaining challenges are: sugar, grains, soap, salt, cloth, ghee… But if we insist on imported delicacies, and foods from other climates, then it leads to dependence on the artificial money-enslavement system, sea shipping, preserving, controlled ripening, unknown source practices (GMO, chemicals?)…

NEW WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT

We have finally finished our new website adequately to announce it (it is an ongoing process) and we invite everyone to have a new look at New Jaipur, with more photos and new layout. All Vedic Village Reviews are there, as well as philosophical articles, Prabhupada’s Museum, videos, and more.

www.vedicvillage.org

It may help to clear your cache (go to the Shiva tilak three lines in upper right corner of Google browser). Please note the functional DONATE button (not hard to miss!) if you can and care to help…

PRABHUPADA QUOTES

740928SB.MAY…
Therefore Krishna gives His instruction. He’s the supreme ruler. He gives this order: annad bhavanti bhutani: “You require food grains.” This is practical. Who will disagree with Krishna, that “We don’t require food grains; we require bolts and nuts in the factory“? Who will say? This is practical… But Krishna does not say that “You open slaughterhouse and industries and brothels and cinema.” No. Krishna does not say. Krishna says, “Grow more food, rascal! You’ll eat and become strong.” And nobody is obeying Krishna. Is it not?

770111tt.ida…

Ramesvara: Many people already have their jobs and their families.
Prabhupada: That job… They will be very soon jobless. Don’t worry. (laughs) They will come. They will be obliged to come. Now they have got job, but as the days are advancing in Kali-yuga, they’ll be jobless..

750514mw.per…
Amogha: He was saying that your solution was too simple. He said that people will not accept it because it is too simple.
Prabhupada: That is his ignorance. They will say it is primitive. That is the only solution. According to the Vedic system, you cannot use anything which you cannot produce

.

Letter to Hamsadutta Jan 11, 1968
The village organization is that the local people produce their necessities like grain, vegetables, milk, and cloth; and for recreation they have the chanting of Hare Krishna. They should live there comfortably and have spiritual recreation. They should not come to the cities. I wish to introduce this ideal now. Then if we are successful this cheating civilization will stop. They have made these cities as hell. If people do not cooperate with them, then how will the factories run on? We should utilize our time for elevating ourselves in Krishna Consciousness than for the so called economic development. If we are satisfied with plain living, with minimun time and the balance time is engaged for elevating our Krishna Consciousness program, then every man can be transferred to Goloka Vrndavana, just in this very life.

690323LE.HAW

Lectures 245873/530501
We have created a civilization that one must earn thousands of dollars, then he can live like a gentleman. Is that successful life? And for earning that thousands of dollars he has to work so hard, just like animal, beast. No. That is not successful life. Successful life is that, that we should make our bodily necessities of life as far as required, not more than that. I want to eat something. God has given sufficient food. You grow. You live anywhere. You grow foodstuff. You grow grains. You grow fruits. You grow vegetables. Keep cows. Take milk. You can live anywhere. You haven’t got to go fifty miles off with a car to attend your office at six o’clock with velocity of hundred miles’ speed. Is that successful life, do you think? So where is successful life? We are proposing successful life.

 

SUMMARY
New Jaipur is a positive alternative to the rapidly devolving situation in the modern world. Nuclear war approaches, and humanity is due for much turmoil which can only be alleviated by establishing Prabhupada’s varnashram Hare Krishna farms. New Jaipur Vedic Village farm project retains Srila Prabhupada as the sole diksa guru, via rtvik representatives. We are part of Prabhupada’s transcendental ISKCON which is situated beyond the now-corrupted original institution. Prabhupada resides wherever his instructions are strictly followed. We have 857 acres of titled, fully-paid land in a South Seas rainforest on Fiji’s second largest island. There are openings for qualified devotees based on Village Constitution conditions (available by email). Interested persons, please inquire. The standard: 16 rounds daily, the four rules, 8 hours community service a week, regular morning programs, and be a productive participant, one fifth of production/income goes to the deities, Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Nice cottages available. Vedic villages are the future of the world. Please consider a visit to New Jaipur, and be our guest in paradise; this is an invitation to Prabhupadanugas everywhere. Life here is simple but not austere. Welcome also: temporary residents who would like to further their spiritual credits may offer assistance to the Vedic village with any skills they may have.

Yours in Prabhupada’s service,
Nityananda das

To be added to our regular mailings of Vedic Village Reviews or make a donation, please send us an email at srigovinda@gmail.com. Hare Krishna! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

NEW JAIPUR FIJI WEBSITE:  www.vedicvillage.org

All previous Vedic Village Reviews are on our website, as well Srila Prabhupada memories, project information, guru tattva, many photos and much more.

http://www.vedicvillage.org/index.php/vedic-villagge-review/61-vedic-village-review-46

4 comments

  • dharmabhavana das

    this community is destined to be an oasis for Prabhupadanuga devotees as turmoil is brewing..It may take one more year or so but regular life in big cities will become more difficult and all Prabhupada told us is surely coming true after many years…

  • mark

    Well, my wife and I went there, a nightmare, 40 million dollars in his bank account,He took control of Spiritual sky , made a million a month and will not give a cent to anyone, ever. Then sold spiritual sky to his daughter, he treats the local workers like rubbish, has been done twice by the Fiji Government for not paying basic wage to workers,that is $2.50 per hour. He believes $2 per hour is enough.
    Do not be fooled, so many devotee’s are out to get their stolen money back, ruthless, do your research, why do you think the farm is so remote, in remote Fiji.
    Very similar feel to Kirtananda Swami, even had the Alsatian dogs.
    His children are great, wife, also.

    After having 2 wives for 16 years, one would think he could learn to respect woman.

    We were told to leave, because my wife was too skinny.
    We also had to pay $100 taxi fee to get out, he drove out the back way to avoid us.
    YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

    • Gaura Das

      Wow ! You did not say what was the nightmare other than abuse of the workers, which in of itself is exploitative

      What stolen money are you speaking of that devotees want to get back ?

      How is he disrespecting women ? Because he said your wife was too skinny ?

      Why would you have to leave because you have a skinny wife ? I don’t understand

  • woz

    Who owns the land ?

    I have stayed at communities before and often it is a family that is wealthy who owns the land and they use religion to extend their family rather than give up family ties. The hard knots of attachment and trying to find ways to keep them.
    Does the Original Bhagavad Gita As It is have pride of place with Srila Prabhupada ?

    Please excuse my polluted intelligence , one hundred and eight times bitten, twice shy..

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