Feed the World

A Mother's Love is Divine!

2012-02-13T17:39:00.000-08:00

(Excerpt FOOD YOGA - Nourishing the Soul by Priya Vrata)

God could not be everywhere, so he createdmothers.

- Jewish Proverb

Nothing can compare to a homecooked meal from a loving mother. We’ve already talked about the risk we takewith our emotional, physical and spiritual well-being when we eat out. Well, inthe ideal home, a mother’s cooking is filled with loving intention and healingenergy and is therefore the bestsource of spiritual and physical nutrition on the planet! (Of course, with moderngender roles so blurred, the same could be said of a loving father.)

The sad truth, however, is that,with mothers all over the world ceding control of the dinner table to scientists,food marketers and governments, a terrible thing happened. Tradition and commonsense went out the window, and as Michael Pollan notes, “Thirty years ofnutritional advice have left us fatter, sicker, and more poorly nourished.Which is why we find ourselves in the predicament we do: in need of a whole newway to think about eating.[1]”

A loving nurturer like a motherwill invest all her loving intention into the meals she prepares. That sort ofloving intention is not only invaluable, but also worshipable. In fact, in theVedic tradition, the father (Pitru DevoBhavaa) and mother (Matru Devo Bhavaa)are considered the first guru and second guru respectively and should thereforebe worshipped.

In Sanskrit, the word “Guru”consists of two words: “Gu” – whichmeans darkness or ignorance and “Ru” which means “remover of.” The guru issomeone who helps to remove ignorance from our hearts and enlightens us.

In the Bible, it is also stated:

Honor thy father and mother; which is thefirst commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayestlive long on the earth.

I have provided a comparisonchart between food prepared by a loving Mother and that which you can buy in arestaurant. I could have extended this list indefinitely, but these are what Ifeel to be the most important pros and cons of eating a meal prepared by one’s lovingmother versus a meal prepared by a restaurant:

Prepared by a loving Mother	Prepared at a Restaurant
Made with loving intention	Made with the intention of profit
Prepared carefully	Prepared hastily
Cleanliness honored	Cleanliness compromised
Selfless	Selfish
Focused intention	Distracted intention
Pure motivation	Material motivation

It is easy to see the benefitsof eating a home cooked meal, and yet, every year, Americans will spend, onaverage, $1,000 eating out (which is said to be less than it once was).

Good Magazine, in partnership with WholeFoods, chronicled[2]the proportion of income Americans spend on food today as compared to the past.And guess what? They’re spending less than ever.

In 1949, Americans spent 22% oftheir incomes on food, whereas in 2009 they spent a meager 10%. However, ofthis 10%, nearly half (40%)[3] isspent on food away from home, and research[4]has found that meals prepared outside the home are less healthful.

How is this so? Because, whilesaving money seems like a good thing, the cheap processed foods we buy outsideare often produced by factory farming and industrial agriculture and supportedby government subsidies, which we ultimately pay for in the form of taxes.Also, with jumbo-sized products being priced more economically, Americans maybe getting more for their dollar, but they’re also gaining more weight, losingtheir health, spending more on healthcare, and supporting environmentallyunsustainable practices.

The Seven Mothers

According to the Vedictradition, there are actually seven mothers in our life:

The first mother is ourbiological mother, from whose womb we have come to this world. Then there is thewife of the teacher or spiritual master; the wife of a priest; the wife of theking, or the queen; the cow;the nurse or caregiver; and finally, the earth, often referred to as “MotherNature.” In Sanskrit, the country in which we take birth is called desa matrika or “motherland.” We referto our language as “mother tongue.” So you can see that there are so manymothers, including the cow, in the Hindu tradition, because of her selflessservice to provide milk. In India, a cow is sometimes addressed as amba, which also means mother.

There is one common principlethat characterizes all genuine mothers, and that is selfless, loving service totheir dependents. This pure loving intention is the true life giving force thatour mothers nurture us with. Whether it is milk from her breast or the fruit ofa tree, a mother’s offering is pure. No matter how hard modern science tries toemulate the pure offering of a mother, it will never succeed. The failedhistory of baby formula is a case in point. In a recent report by theEnvironmental Working Group (EWG), tests performed on liquid baby formulasfound that they all contained bisphenol A(BPA). All major baby formula manufacturers use this leaching,hormone-mimicking chemical in the linings of the metal cans in which babyformula is sold.

BPA has been found to causehyperactivity, reproductive abnormalities and pediatric brain cancer in labanimals. Increasingly, scientists suspect that BPA might be linked to several medicalproblems in humans, including breast and testicular cancer.

Food is a gift from MOTHER Earth

Humans cannot actually manufacture food.We can manipulate ingredients, but it is impossible for us to create food fromscratch. Of course you could plant a seed and cultivate a garden, but whocreated the seed? Within every seed lies a dormant plant or tree, ready tofruit and spread more seed. The phenomenon is an endless cycle of kinetictransmutation of nature, to which Man has little to do with. AmericanPlaywright, George Bernard Shaw put it this way:

Think of the fierce energy concentrated inan acorn! You bury it in the ground, andit explodes into an oak! Bury a sheep,and nothing happens but decay.

Despite technological advances in foodproduction, including cloning and genetic manipulation of foods, geneticscientists have failed to create a single blade of grass from raw chemicals. Geneticengineering (GE) and genetically modified organisms (GMO) are, in reality, justmodifications of what has already been naturally created by God. It is absurdto think that we can ever match the brilliance of Mother Nature and create likeher.

[1] In Defense of Food,Michael Pollen p 81

[2] Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reyxkSWUjLI&

[3] US. Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, ConsumerExpenditures in 2007 (Washington DC 2009)

[4] J.F.Guthrie, B.H. Lin, and E Frazao, Role of food prepared awayfrom home in the American diet, 1977-78 versus 1994-96: Changes andconsequences, J Nutr Educ Behav 34 (2002): 140-50

SOURCE: FOOD YOGA - Nourishing the Soul by Priya Vrata (the "Food Yogi")

http://www.foodyogi.org

The Vedic Culture of Hospitality

2010-11-15T19:04:00.001-08:00

"No one within ten miles of our temple should go hungry."

– Swami Prabhupda

No One Should Go Hungry

Is anybody hungry? Please come to my home, where my wife has prepared a meal. We have enough to feed 20 hungry men.

She has prepared the finest rice, curry, and puris (fried bread). I will not take my meal until I know that every man, woman, and child is fed.

Such selfless gestures of hospitality were common in the village life of ancient India. The religious householders of the Vedic times saw themselves as providers for all living beings, including the animals. No creature was allowed to go without food during the pinnacle of Vedic civilization. This is the fertile ground in which the seeds of Food for Life’s philosophy were sown.

The Meaning of Hospitality

According to the Oxford Dictionary, hospitality is “a friendly and generous reception of guests or strangers.” To be hospitable, therefore, means to care and show respect for another being. It is a sincere expression of appreciation, love, and humility. A person whose heart is filled with gratitude, magnanimity, and spirituality is naturally hospitable.

It’s important to note that hospitality is not the same as entertaining, which is, unfortunately, the more common approach today. When we entertain, we put all of our effort into the event—the appearance of the home, the rich, high-calorie/low-nutrient food and refreshments, and seating and table settings. We judge the success or failure of the event by such unimportant details as whether or not the soufflé fell or the ice ran out. In contrast, hospitality focuses on the comfort and wellbeing of guests; the desire to freely share one’s home; the nutritious, life-giving food that is prepared; and above all, the people.

In her book, Gluttony, the 7 Deadly Sins, Francine Prose notes:

"In the Greco Roman tradition, feasting along with drinking was the social cement that enforced the values of the citizen and kept the state together. Good feasts and bad feasts are reoccurring motifs at the center of the Odyssey, where it is made very clear that the worth of the host depends upon the generosity of his table."

Some hosts put so much energy into preparations for entertaining that they have little left for their guests. By the time the guests leave, the host is exhausted. Hospitality, on the other hand, is physically and spiritually refreshing and nourishing. Simply put, entertaining is fueled by pride, while genuine hospitality arises from humility.

Genuine hospitality does not distinguish based on species, race, caste, creed, or color; these differences are meaningless from a spiritual perspective. Rather, genuine hospitality welcomes all with a loving embrace. For an example of profound hospitality, one need not look any further than the example of King Rantideva of India’s Vedic tradtion.

SOURCE: The Yoga of Eating, by Paul Turner

---------------------------------------------------

The Story of King Rantideva

SOURCE: (c) Bhaktivedanta Book Trust

Rantideva is glorified, not only in human society but also in the society of the demigods (devas), for his exemplary tolerance, compassion, and selflessness.

Rantideva never endeavored to earn anything. He would enjoy whatever he received by providence, but when guests came he would give them everything. Thus he, along with the members of his family, endured considerable suffering. Indeed, he and his family members shivered for want of food and water, yet Rantideva always remained sober. Once, after fasting for forty-eight days, in the morning Rantideva received some water and some foodstuffs made with milk and ghee, but when he and his family were about to eat, a brahmana (priest) guest arrived.

Because Rantideva perceived the presence of the Supreme Godhead everywhere and in every living entity, he received the guest with faith and respect and gave him a share of the food. The brahmana guest ate his share and then went away.

Thereafter, having divided the remaining food with his relatives, Rantideva was just about to eat his own share when a sudra (field worker) guest arrived. Seeing the sudra in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, King Rantideva gave him also a share of the food.

When the sudra went away, another guest arrived, surrounded by dogs, and said, “O King, I and my company of dogs are very hungry. Please give us something to eat.”

With great respect, King Rantideva offered the balance of the food to the dogs and the master of the dogs, who had come as guests. The King offered them all respect and obeisance.

Thereafter, only the drinking water remained, and there was only enough to satisfy one person, but when the King was just about to drink it, a candala (outcaste) appeared and said, “O' King, although I am low born, kindly give me some drinking water.”

Aggrieved at hearing the pitiable words of the poor fatigued candala, Maharaja Rantideva spoke the following nectarean words:

I do not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. I want only to stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering.

By offering my water to maintain the life of this poor candala, who is struggling to live, I have been freed from all hunger, thirst, fatigue, trembling of the body, moroseness, distress, lamentation and illusion.

Having spoken thus, and although on the verge of death because of thirst, King Rantideva gave his own portion of water to the candala without hesitation, for the King was naturally very kind and sober.

Suddenly, out of thin air, great demigods (devas) like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, who can satisfy all materially ambitious men by giving them the rewards they desire, then manifested their own identities before King Rantideva, for it was they who had presented themselves as the brahmana, sudra, candala and so on. (Bhagavat Purana 9.21.2-15)

The great demigods had tested the King for his level of tolerance and compassion and the great King succeeded and thus received their blessings.

Fighting Hunger in Africa

2010-11-15T19:02:00.000-08:00

Dec 2-5 2010 – Food for Life Global, the world’s largest plant-based food relief is one of the sponsors for the East and Central Africa Vegetarian congress in Nairobi Dec 2-5.

Affiliate, Food for Life Africa will be serving free prasadam (sanctified vegan food) to congress participants and at other events throughout the congress.

“There will an additional vegetarian conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from December 6 and Food for Life will also be serving prasadam at the conference,” said Congress organizer and president of the Nigerian Vegetarian Society, Emmanuel Eyoh.

Fighting Hunger in Africa

Food for Life Africa is planning several feeding programs to benefit people in the East & Central Africa regions, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Congo, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania.

“Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest concentration of hungry people in the world,” says, Eyoh. “There are thousands of destitute people on our streets in Africa that are hungry. A majority of whom are helpless children, women and elderly.”

Food for Life is a revival of India’s ancient Vedic culture of hospitality and its principle mission is to unite the world through pure food. Food for Life aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in Africa by liberally distributing free plant-based meals to the needy throughout the continent.

Food for Life has been active in Africa for more than 25 years and has served tens of millions of free meals. There are active Food for Life programs in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Uganda, etc.

We need your support

Kindly support Food for Life events in Africa by donating funds, food and equipment.

Donate through PayPal

Congress Web Site

www.FFL.org/africa

CONTACT

Emmanuel Eyoh [Ekachakra das]
IVU Africa Regional Coordinator
11 Gray St, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos

Clinton endorses plant-based diet

2010-10-10T16:21:00.001-07:00

Food relief in Pakistan

2010-10-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

October 10, 2010, Karachi, Pakistan -- Meals continue to go out in Pakistan from Food for Life Global affiliate SKBP. Spokesperson, Vanamali das said, "As long as donations continue to come in the meals will continue."

At a recent feeding in Hyderabad, hundreds of people swarmed the FFL relief tent (picture below).

Details of the progress can be followed at the FFL Pakistan Relief web site

New Food for Life Global site to launch soon

2010-04-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

New Food for Life Global site to launch soon

Feed the World: Food Relief in Haiti

2010-03-19T03:19:00.000-07:00

Feed the World: Food Relief in Haiti

Food Relief in Haiti

2010-03-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

Food for Life Global is active in Haiti serving thousands of freshly cooked vegan meals for the surviving Haitians. You can follow our progress at the new site.

Please help us raise awareness and support this important work.

Paul Turner

International Director

FOOD FOR LIFE GLOBAL

Conscious living and eating

2008-11-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

Food for Life Global represents the world’s largest vegetarian food relief. With roots in India’s Vedic food culture, projects in 50 countries, a strong heritage of respect for the environment, and a current distribution of more than 1,000,000 meals daily, the charity is beginning to make a significant impact on world consciousness.

How so? The mission of Food for Life is to bring about peace and prosperity in the world through the liberal distribution of pure vegetarian meals. Food for Life strongly believes that the reason there is so much violence in the world is because of man’s inability to see the equality of all beings. The pure vegetarian meals we serve, therefore, are a statement of respect for other species and a call to a more humane way of life.

Just like us, animals feel pain. Granted, they may not have the intelligence of man, but they do have emotions and are living, breathing conscious beings just like humans. Recognizing this fact is the basis of a truly humane society.

Since food is so central to everyone’s life. It is only natural that it is the most effective medium to initiate change in consciousness. All of us have had the experience of sitting down to a meal cooked with love and felt an immediate transformation of consciousness and reciprocal love for the person that cooked the meal. The fact is, when prepared with love, food can speak any language. Such food has the ability to break down barriers, turn anger into love, fear into trust and ignorance into enlightenment.

When a person is living consciously, they will do so in all their thoughts and actions. Their life will be consistent and in harmony with their environment. They will compliment their surrounding and not disturb them. Living consciously begins with conscious eating.

Food is the most basic necessity of life. It’s only purpose is to nourish the body, mind and soul. Food therefore should give life and cleanse the body and uplift our spirit. Food that is old, decomposed, and consisting of dead flesh, will pollute the body and consciousness, while food that is fresh, alive and nutritious will enrich the body, cleanse mind and satisfy the soul.

Taking such conscious eating a step further, when we recognize the equality of all beings, it will come natural to us to share the bounty of the earth with others and give up all selfish tendencies. World hunger is a case in point, for the issue is not a lack of food resources, but inequitable distribution.

The truly conscious person therefore, does not disrespect other living beings; they honor the environment and love their own bodies treating it as if it were a temple. They live their lives in full awareness of their connection to their surroundings. Such spiritual perspective is the foundation of India's Vedic culture of hospitality of which the Food for Life program was founded upon.

The conscious person fully embraces a socially responsible and environmentally respectful lifestyle. By becoming aware of our human responsibility to maintain and protect the environment and other forms of life, we will learn to love our brethren and not exploit them. The same applies to our choice of clothing and habitat.

The beginning of this journey in raising our consciousness begins with the tongue. Never underestimate the power of the plate. What you put on your plate is as much a political statement to the world as it is a mirror of who you really are.

Feed the World Week (Oct 15 - 21)

2004-10-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Feed the World Week (Oct 15 -21) is based on the simple principle:"that for one day, the world should experience a wholesome, nonviolent, karma-free diet, and thus pave the way for a peaceful and hunger-free world." Your Feed the World Week event, therefore, should promote this message so that your recipients can grasp the deeper meaning behind the free food.

For the members of Food for Life, Feed the World Week (FWW) is also a tribute to the founder (Swami Prabhupada), as much as it is an open community event for raising awareness of the world hunger problem. We aim to do this through the following four objectives:

Exposing meat consumption as a major cause of world hunger.
Promote that the internal cause of hunger is spiritual ignorance.
Promote "karma-free" vegetarianism/veganism as a positive solution to the world hunger crisis.
Unite the world through food.

I just want to help
Many people will prefer to offer their assistance to the local Food for Life center or Hare Krishna Temple. Every Hare Krishna temple, restaurant and all Food for Life programs have already established or are in the process of devising strategies for observing Feed the World Week. We therefore encourage all interested people to either:

Donate funds, food, or equipment to Feed the World activities.
Contact your local temple or restaurant for volunteer opportunities.

I want to do my own program
You may prefer to do your own thing; using your own creative potential and facilities. This is fine, so long as the following guidelines are observed:

All food must be pure vegetarian (without the use of onions or garlic.)
All food must be first sanctified to remove all karma .
All signs and advertisements should read: "Feed the World Week."

Food for Life Global should be acknowledged as the pioneers of this event.

Ways to Participate:
The most effective Feed the World Week events are those that reach large numbers of people, either in person or through media coverage. The size, location, and novelty of your event all contribute to its impact.

OPEN FEAST
Consult with your local council to find out the requirements for staging a huge free feast in a prominent city park or hall. Explain to the council the significance and global scope of the event and invite the mayor to officially serve the first meal of the day. If not the mayor, a well-known celebrity will do.

BENEFIT CONCERT
Contact some popular bands and propose a "benefit concert" for Food for Life. Arrange that 50% of the proceeds will go to Food for Life Global, and that you'll serve a free feast to the audience! In your advertisements make sure you mention in bold letters that there will a free feast! Who could refuse to come?

WORKING WITH A LOCAL CHARITY
There are many charitable organizations that would be happy to cooperate with you in celebrating FWW. By targetting identified needy groups you will get plenty of attention.

ISKCON RESTAURANTS
Presently there are nearly 100 Hare Krishna restaurants around the world, all serving vegetarian and vegan meals. During Feed the World Week, many of them will be opening their doors to the public and offering all visitors as much as they can eat for free or a nominal price! Naturally, they'll need help. Contact your local temple or ISKCON restaurant (Usually called: Govinda's or Gopal's) for details. Now, for those who own their own restaurants, you may also consider offering free meals during Feed the World Week. The essential point to remember, however, is that all Feed the World Week meals must be first sanctified.

BUT I'll LOSE TOO MUCH MONEY!
On the contrary, the amount of publicity and goodwill you will gain by opening your restaurant doors and offering free meals during October 15-21 is well worth the expense and will probably be far less than your yearly advertising budget. Of course, you may be able to get sponsors too. In any case, your restaurant will become famous. Alternatively, you may host a free FWW feast elsewhere in town and promote your restaurant as the sponsor. The least you can do is to advertise the event in the restaurant by having FWW brochures (Contact: Food for Life Global) on the tables and signs on the notice board.

SNACK DISTRIBUTION
Many people will not be able to participate in the free feast programs arranged by the local Hare Krishna temple or restaurant, because of work restrictions, family responsibilities or other obstacles. You may not be able to give out full meals during Feed the World Week, but you can certainly contribute in a small way, and in doing so, promote FWW. In order to facilitate as many people as possible getting a taste for karma-free vegetarian meals on FWW, it is a good idea to produce some type of snack preparation that can be distributed in the hundreds of thousands, everywhere and anywhere. For example, in 1996 Food for Life volunteers in Germany gave away 100,000 of their famous "energy balls,” (mixed fruit, nut and honey). Such snacks can be given out by anyone. Everyone should be allowed to take part in this wonderful [FWW] festival! And everyone should be given a chance to taste karma-free vegetarian food! The essential point is that the all the food should be nicely packaged and your distributors should be well dressed, polite, and have a clear understanding of the purpose of the activity. The following snack program is ideal for such people, as it allows for flexibility, individuality and innovation. There are two ways to develop this program:

Make your own prasadam (karma-free) sweets, package them in attractive bags with a FWW tag or sticker, and distribute them as they like! Watch how many new friends you make!
Alternatively, ask the local Krishna temple if they have snacks for distribution. You may like to help package them as well, but try to make a commitment to distribute at least 1000 packets. Before you begin, however, you should ask for your official FWW T-shirt and badge. Begin with your their friends and family first and then try the shops and offices. Optionally you can also hand out the " Prabhupada " and "FWW" brochures with each snack pack. The essential point is that the prasadam should be nicely packaged [See:Packaging ] and each distributors should be well dressed, polite, and have a clear understanding of the purpose of the activity . It is so much fun to give out free food! And the fact that you are telling so many people about FWW, is significant and will go along way towards building the momentum for this international event.

FEED YOUR NEIGHBOR
This is an ideal program for those who live far away from the city and the main FWW programs. Why not cook up a feast for the neighbors!? Pass out invitations a few weeks before and erect a large sign out front: "All welcome for a karma-free feast!” during the week of October 15-21. Make it a lunchtime feast and talk about the benefits of a karma-free diet. If you feel so inclined, tell them about Food for Life, the world's largest vegetarian/vegan food relief.

SPONSORSHIP
Every big festival requires money. If you or someone you know is interested in FWW, but cannot get involved with distributing, cooking, transporting or serving at the main feast programs, then why not ask them to sponsor those that can? The local FWW representatives will have a sponsorship pledge form that you can pick up. For every person who donates $100 or more will automatically receive a free FWW T-shirt.

ADD ON's
You can add impact to your event with:

Videos, slides, or photographs - Available from Food for Life Global . Pictures are an effective way of educating people about the animal cruelty inherent in meat consumption, and they add credibility to your presentation.
Entertainers - Musicians and other entertainers are often willing to perform gratis at charity events, just to get the exposure
Street theatre - Clowns always draw a crowd, whether they are acting out slaughterhouse scenes, or simply handing out leaflets.

SUGGESTED LOCATIONS

Downtown plazas or other heavily trafficked areas
Public parks have plenty of room for add-ons like speakers and music. Turn it into a festival!
University vegetarian clubs or societies may provide you with plenty of people-power, ideas and facilities.
Schools and work places - The cafeteria may honor the event with a special free snack for the children.
Shopping centers or malls
Health food stores are a great place to promote healthy eating habits.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

Speakers - Arrange a special lecture on some aspect of meatless eating. Contact your local ISKCON chapter for available speakers. Also try for officials of public health organizations, and college professors.
Cooking demonstration - Sautee or steam your way into the hearts of your community by showing how to prepare some of your favorite dishes. Ask a church or community center if you can use their kitchen.
Meatless meal for the homeless - Contact your local shelter and offer to cook and serve a karma-free vegetarian meal during Feed the World Week.
Reception for public officials - You may have difficulty convincing town hall to go vegetarian, but you can feed them!
Delivery of karma-free vegetarian meals to local celebrities - Radio DJ's or TV newscasters, for example.
Proclamations - Ask your mayor or governor to proclaim November 23 as "Feed the World Week." Contact Food for Life Global for a sample proclamation and request letter.
Letters to the editor - Call for samples.

REGISTER YOUR EVENT
Let us know what you are planning for Feed the World Week. Knowing your plans allows us to inform the media and helps us promote Feed the World Week internationally.
As a Registered FWW Coordinator, you'll receive special mailings designed to help increase the impact of your event.

Free Feed the World Week poster
Feed the World Week flyer & fact sheet stickers & badge.

SUGGESTED ACTION PLAN

Now: Notify FOOD FOR LIFE Global of your intent to participate. Registered Coordinators will receive free action materials, including posters, handout masters, and samples of brochures, proclamation requests, and news releases.
Recruit help, if needed. Call FOOD FOR LIFE Global for names, contact local vegetarian, animal & environmental groups, and post notices.
Finalize your plans. Get permission or permits*.
Launch a promotion of your event, including news releases, calendar notices, ads, letters to editors, flyers and posters.
Notify FOOD FOR LIFE Global of your final plans.
Approach local food suppliers, shopping centers, health food stores, catering companies, etc., for equipment and supplies.
Conduct the events through October 15 - 21
Send a report of your activities to Food for Life Global, including photographs and originals of any news clippings. Congratulations!* Permits from local authorities are usually required for events that may interfere with the use of public land by others. Notifying the police of your plans is always a good idea.

For more information, call Paul Turner (Priyavrata das) 571 277 2329