1. Farhad Vania (Development Alliance) agreed to act as Chairperson of the meeting. He also briefed the meeting about the Yamuna Action Plan II advising that, at a high level meeting in Agra very soon, Vrindavan will be considered for the role ‘model’ in which the Peoples Participation & Awareness (PPA) module of YAP II will be trialed. Vimlendu Jha (We for Yamuna) explained how the principles of PPA and VAACH can work together for Vrindavan to benefit if Vrindavan is chosen or not.

2. It was discussed and agreed by all present that Vrindavan Alliance Acting for Community & Heritage (VAACH) was an all encompassing title through which the members can participate. The formal formation of a Society or Trust will be done at a later stage.

3. Roshan Bhatnagar shared his experience of how important this Alliance is on many levels and the various ways and effects it can have on community and fundraising both. The potential of the Alliance becoming a neighbourhood monitor is very important.

4. Shrivatsa Goswami commented on the vital need to grow a sense of responsibility amongst the religious leadership in Vrindavan - therein lays the power of communication. For instance one line from them can change the whole scenario of the importance of utilising electric crematoria along the banks of Yamuna. The Alliance agreed to identify and target the religious leaders to ask them to join hands and adopting a ‘Green Vrindavan and Clean Yamuna’ approach.

5. Sevak Sharan mentioned the 25 wards of Vrindavan and that one approach is via the ward members representing municipality (Nagarpalika). This is a way of disseminating information about VAACH, as well as gaining ward member feedback in respect of difficulties apropos the quality of their life confronted by community and ideas to improve this. Friends of Vrindavan (FOV) will liaise and work to conduct a survey in the two wards adjacent to Yamuna in preparation for YAP II PPA.

6. R.C. Sharma, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Mathura, explained to us the practices of ASI and Vrindavan monuments and about the GOI Act which allows community to intercede. Letters may be sent to ASI at Kankali Tila, Mathura, U.P.

7. Dr. Deepali Bhanot, Hon. Sec. of the Guild of Service, New Delhi shared with us her knowledge of looking after widows in Vrindavan and suggested that children’s’ playgrounds in Vrindavan would assist in trying to preserve heritage sites used as playgrounds. The Guild would like to participate in VAACH and assist in any way possible.

8. Roshan Bhatnagar and Sevak Sharan prepared an outline mission statement: “Cleaning Yamuna and Vrindavan and restoring the Heritage representing all the stakeholders.” We would appreciate your comments.

It was discussed that the collective will of VAACH members, for or against an issue, can generate much leverage regarding the issues of preservation and protection of Vraja heritage. Shrivatsa Goswami feels that the mission should include creating awareness among the local community leaders and most importantly the religious leadership, on two counts:

Curative – Identify common problem are as such as sewage, water conservation, traffic, monkey problems, what is the best way to remove them and what do we get in getting rid of them?

Preventative – What is there to save in the heritage of Vraja Vrindavan? VAACH is a place where people can share information and act jointly where individual efforts are not effective.

9. It was also agreed that each member of VAACH shall contribute Rs.1000 to meet running costs of the Alliance. The request may be renewed when the accumulated funds are exhausted. Full accounts will be kept by Robyn Beeche and offered at each meeting. Please send either cash or cheque made payable to Friends of Vrindavan (as VAACH has no bank account yet) to either Robyn Beeche or Jagannath Poddar. Donations received to date are: Prema Rasa GVS & BIT, Roshan Bhatnagar, John S. Hawley, SCPS, FoV.

10. Deena Bandhu Das shared the information that there may be a forthcoming MP Lads donation from Mumbai which may be used for a project which benefits Raman Reti and ISKCON.  FoV has made available the list of categories as to how MP Lads funds can be utilised.

11. An account of the destruction of Vraja landscape by the mining of the sacred hills nearby Charan Pahari, Kaman, the rubble of which is being used to construct highways, was given and VAACH offered to help and agreed to contact lawyer M.C. Mehta for his advice in trying to have it stopped. Please contact Hari Boldas Baba, Maan Mandir, Barsana if you can help.

12. Regarding the Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) we discussed the importance of participating in the planning process, VAACH should apply pressure and interact with MVDA whilst we supply information as to community’s needs. Sevak Sharan told of the 1970-2020 plans and the Alliance realized that it will only be the peoples’ voices that can have any effect on some of their wrongful proposals.

13. The next meeting of VAACH will be held at 2.15 pm on Monday 15 March 2004 at Sri Bhaktivedanta Gurukula, ISKCON Mandir, Raman Reti, Vrindavan.

14. Finally we urge all members of the Alliance to write about their present work and list of main concerns, so that at the next meeting this information can be known and shared. You can email to gambhira@vsnl.com