Kenyan Prime Minister Receives Gita
Posted May 5, 2009
The Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya
On Thursday a member of Kenya's Sikh community invited devotees to the opening of a college that they had started. I had given him some books a week ago, in which he became very interested. We also told him that we were willing to teach courses on the Bhagavad-gita in his college, and he was very happy. He then invited us to the official opening of the college, mentioning that the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, would be attending. I was very happy; in my mind I thought and prayed that I might present him with a Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
He arrived with several cabinet ministers, each of whom spoke about how higher education would make the country happy and peaceful. When the Prime Minister spoke, he talked about feeding the needy and educating the public. Afterwards, all of them went for lunch. I thought this was the right time to meet him, but the security was so tight nobody was allowed in the hall. Luckily, the man who invited me arrived at the scene. I begged him to let me present this Bhagavad-gita to Mr. Odinga, and he agreed.
When I went in the hall, all the great men of the country were present. As i approached the Prime Minister I saw him looking at me and bowing his head as a sign of respect, so I waited till he finished eating. After he had concluded his meal I went to him, and he stood up. I said: "Most respected, honourable Prime Minister, I am from the Hare Krishna temple. I want to present to you this holy book that teaches how to make the world peaceful."
He took the book and looked at it. I was able to tell him that we were feeding 3,000 people daily in Nairobi and 200 in Kisumu. He was surprised and amazed at our activties, shook my hand and said: "Thank you very much for all your good work." I hope he reads something, even one sentence, of the Bhagavad-gita, and then his life will be changed.