Regional Coordinators and Representatives

ISKCON Ministry of Education

The regional coordinators and representatives are the administrative liaisons between the Ministry administration and the local educational initiatives. They must follow the standard of sadhana required by Srila Prabhupada for devotees who have received the second initiation and have Bhakti Shastri, TTC-1, TTC-2, BS-TTC certificates. Such candidates may be suggested by the regional authorities and temple presidents and appointed directly by the executive team of the ISKCON Ministry of Education. However, in either case, they will work together with the local leadership. ISKCON Ministry of Education is looking for inspired devotees to fulfil this voluntary role. The primary roles expected for the first year are as follows:

To act as a Regional Coordinator and Representative of the ISKCON Ministry of Education in your region, in yatras, at meetings, at the national level and even at the global level as a representative of a regional language.
To provide information and support for the opening of ISKCON educational centres and organising educational programmes according to the educational needs of the devotees in the region, in accordance with the policy of the ISKCON Ministry of Education.
To assist and support ISKCON teachers in their region, improving their professional skills, qualifications and sastric degrees, conducting trainings and seminars.
To communicate educational standards, ISKCON Ministry of Education policies, certification rules and methodologies established by the ISKCON Ministry of Education to ensure the quality of education in their region.
To collect and analyse data on educational activities in the region, evaluating the effectiveness of centres, programmes and initiatives, preparing reports and recommendations for the ISKCON Ministry of Education.
To regularly inform local GBCs, regional secretaries and temple presidents in the region about the policies and programmes of the ISKCON Ministry of Education.
To organise events and outreach activities to create awareness among devotees about the activities of the ISKCON Ministry of Education.
To keep abreast of changes in educational standards, certification rules, ISKCON Ministry of Education policies and methodology.
The Regional Coordinator and Representative do not set educational standards and policies, and do not open or close educational centres. This is handled by BOEX (Board of Examination, a part of ISKCON Ministry of Education).
The Regional Coordinator and Representative ensure compliance with the standards set by BOEX (Board of Examination) and ISKCON Ministry of Education policies.

Profiles of Regional Coordinators and Representatives

HG Balimardana Das

Coordinator for North America

Balimardana Das joined ISKCON in 1997 in New Delhi, India, where He was the president of ISKCON Youth Forum (IYF). He migrated to the USA in 2000 for his software engagement and is currently a senior manager in a large software company, SAP America Inc in Silicon Valley. Balimardana Das has been serving in the ISKCON of Silicon Valley since 2000 in different capacity. He was initiated by H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami in 2003 in Seattle. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors at ISKCON Silicon Valley. He has recently opened a Jagannath Temple and Bhaktivedanta Mandap in NH201 of Western Odisha. He also managed the Ratha Yatra festival at San Francisco Golden Gate Park with the help of the Berkeley temple president. He lives with his wife, Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi and 2 children, Balaram & Abhay. Both kids are raised by their mother in homeschooling environment.

HG Gopi Gita Devi Dasi

Coordinator for North America and Coordinator ISKCON MOE Teacher Board

HG Gopi Gita Schomaker, known as Mother Gopi Gita, is an executive coach and educational consultant to business owners and school leaders. With over 25 years experience in leadership and education, she has helped scale 11 companies and schools past 7 figures, serving Csuite levels at several Fortune 500 companies. As the founder of Leadership Parenting and Leadership Teaching, and former vice principal to a private school, she has developed a comprehensive approach to supporting the needs of teams and students. Business and education strategies are combined with ancient practices from bhakti yoga. Join her at gopigita.com.

HG Tarini Radha Devi Dasi

Coordinator for India (South) Global Children Education

Tarini Radha Devi Dasi was born in Chennai, India, and graduated in English from Stella Maris College. Seeking scientific validation for her deep faith in Lord Krishna, she joined ISKCON in 1988 and was guided by senior devotees. She took formal initiation from His Holiness Jayapataka Swami in 1991 and pursued a B.Ed based on his advice. She also gained computer skills for designing materials. In 2000, she started a thematic 10-day summer camp for children, later expanding it under His Holiness Bhanu Swami’s guidance. With her leadership, ISKCON Chennai now runs programs for 500 children annually. In 2014, she initiated Krishna consciousness programs in schools, reaching 10,000 students weekly across 25 schools by 2018. To support children’s education, she began research in 2003, resulting in a nine-book series, Glory of India, with the third book, AVATAR, recently published. She has also contributed articles and written children’s storybooks based on Srimad Bhagavatam.

HG Mitravinda Devi Dasi

Coordinator of Brazil & Representative of Portuguese language

Mitravinda Devi Dasi graduated in Theology and Religious studies at Bhaktivedanta College (Belgium). Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, joined ISKCON at the age of 19, in 2005, and since then she has been dedicated to missionary activities in the movement. She received her spiritual initiation from His Holiness Dhanvantari Swami in 2006, and in 2007 studied Bhakti Sastri course at the Hare Krishna Seminar of Philosophy and Theology (Brazil). In 2009 and 2010 she studied Bhakti Vaibhava course at Mayapur Institute, and in 2016 completed the GBC College course for zonal supervisors, in India. Since 2008 she has been a teacher at the Jaladuta Institute (Brazil), since 2014 director of the online learning department at the same Institute, and since 2017 is a member of the GBC College team for Latin America.

HG Param Padam Das

Coordinator of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Latin America) & Representative of Spanish language

Param Padam Das was initiated in ISKCON in 1988. He has been trained as a Social Psychologist, Communication Technician and Bachelor of Mediation and Conflict Resolution. He teaches Bhakti Sastri, Bhakti Vaibhaba and Bhaktivedanta courses. Since 2004 he coordinates with his wife the first Vaisnava virtual educational platform (www.culturadelbhakti.com) for the Spanish-speaking world, training devotees in the philosophical foundations of Vaishnavism and training and advising teachers of the ISKCON Vaishnava community. He wrote the book “The 9 Yogi Experiences” where he systematically summarizes the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in modern language.

HG Devakinandana Das

Coordinator of Russia and Former Soviet Union countries & Representative of Russian language

Devakinandana Das embraced Krishna Consciousness from childhood under his parents’ guidance and joined a brahmachari ashram at fourteen while studying education. Since 2015, he has lived as a grihastha and actively conducts educational programs for devotees and the public. A member of ISKCON’s Board of Examinations and head of the Vaishnava Education Committee in Russia, he received the Bhaktivedanta spiritual academic degree in 2022. An author of books based on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, he regularly offers lectures, seminars, and training. He also leads major educational initiatives such as the Mayapur Institute, Shravanam Academy, and Ashraya School. His work centers on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as the essence of spiritual education and personal transformation.

HG Gaurananda Das

Coordinator for Baltic countries & Representative of Latvian language

Gaurananda Das acts as zonal supervisor for Latvia, he is representative of BBT in Latvia and he is printing other Vaisnava books in Latvian language. He has made and runs online shop lalita.lv for distributing books and Vaisnava paraphernalia throughout Latvia and all European countries. With a team he is organizing educational platform in Latvia for all kind of devotees starting from newcomers to Bhakti shastri courses. He works on introducing devotee care study course and culture in Latvia community. He lives in grihasta ashram with his wife and 4 children.

HG Suhrit Krishna Das

Coordinator of New Zealand

Suhrit Krishna Das is a dedicated disciple of His Holiness Mahavishnu Goswami, with brahmin initiation granted by His Holiness Janananda Goswami. He has a deep commitment to spiritual education, having completed his Bhakti Sastri and all teacher training courses (TTC1 and 2, BSTTC). He is an approved ISKCON disciple course teacher and serves as a facilitator and teacher at R.I.S.E, ISKCON Auckland. Beyond his teaching roles, he is an active member of the ISKCON community, facilitating weekly Bhakti Vriksha sessions and being a part of the temple cleaning team. He also conducts podcasts, spiritual seminars and retreats. Professionally, he holds a Master in Architecture from New Zealand, is a professional member of the Architectural Designers of New Zealand (ADNZ). He has received training as a Career Dharma Coach to help others with his professional expertise and spiritual values.

HG Gopa Vrndesa Dasa

Coordinator for Australia

Gopavṛndeśa Dāsa, a disciple of HH Devāmrita Swami Mahārāja, holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in Wireless Communications from the University of Melbourne. After completing his research, he accepted the brahmacārī life, dedicating himself to full-time spiritual service. For nearly two decades, he has been serving ISKCON Melbourne through Bhagavad-gītā workshops for students, professionals, and diverse audiences, focusing on presenting its universal wisdom to modern seekers. As a member of the ISKCON Melbourne Board of Education, he supports śāstric education, and as the brahmacārī āśrama leader, he mentors young men in spiritual development while nurturing a strong book distribution team. A Sanskrit scholar and poet, he has composed stotras and daśakams and authored Vilāsa Kusumāvalī – A Garland of Blissful Pastimes, a poetic Sanskrit tribute glorifying Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Deities, and the devotees.

HG Varunapati (VP) Govinda Das

Coordinator of the UK and Western Europe

Varunapati (VP) Govinda Das, a disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, has been practicing Krishna consciousness for over a decade with his wife, Haripriya Devi Dasi. Based in London and associated with ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, he facilitates Bhakti Vriksha sessions and scriptural studies, nurturing a devotional community rooted in śāstra and sādhu-saṅga. A certified teacher with Bhakti Sastri, Vaibhava, and Vedanta training from the Mayapur Institute, he also delivers Bhakti Life courses. Professionally, he is an Engineering Consultant with over 20 years of experience, holding a Master’s degree, PMP certification, and UK Chartered Engineer status. His global service includes preaching and association in the Middle East—Dubai, Muscat, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. Alongside family temple services, he supports technical teams and class recordings. Deeply committed to spiritual education and unity, he aspires to bridge temple communities and foster global synergy within ISKCON.

HG Nityananda Ashraya Das

Coordinator of India (North) & Representative of Hindi language

Nityananda Ashraya Das, Temple President of ISKCON Bahadurgarh, is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a disciple of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Since joining ISKCON in 2006, he has served extensively in congregational development, including 12 years at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh as a preaching supervisor and trainer. He oversees 20 outpost centers in Haryana and has trained over 4,000 leaders worldwide in Bhakti Vriksha and community development. He has TTC1&2, BS TTC, Communications Course and GBC COLLEGE Degrees. The author of Bhūridā Janāh (The Ultimate Preaching Companion), he also developed Hindi Bhakti Vriksha training materials, the Dāsānudāsa course, and teacher handbooks. As an educator, he teaches IDC, Bhakti Śāstrī, and Bhakti Vaibhava, and regularly presents seminars at ILS. He has also created curricula for training devotees and children, developing systematic, joyful Krishna Consciousness education, and has trained over 500 teachers globally.

HG Padmamukha Nimai Das

Coordinator for India (East & North-East) and Bangladesh & Representative of Bengali language

Padmamukha Nimāi Dāsa, a Bengali devotee, came to Krishna consciousness in childhood and was initiated by HH Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja at 17. After joining ISKCON Pune’s brahmacāri training program at 19, he pursued advanced studies at Bhaktivedānta Vidyāpīṭha, earning Bhakti-śāstrī, Bhakti-vaibhava, and Bhakti-vedānta degrees. He later served in ISKCON Māyāpur on his guru’s publication team and as a faculty member at the Māyāpur Institute and Varnasrama College Online. As Director of Paratattva Catuspathi, under the ISKCON Ministry of Education, he trains devotees in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and language skills, having guided over 1,000 teachers across English, Hindi, and Bengali. A member of the ISKCON Teachers Board, he also preaches widely through his YouTube channel Paratattva (275K+ subscribers) and a Bengali talk show on Mayapur TV. In 2025, he was invited as a featured speaker for ISKCON’s Janmāṣṭamī Live Broadcast at JioHotstar Studios.

HG Vanamali Gopal Das

Coordinator for India (Tamil Nadu) & Representative of Tamil language

Vanamali Gopal Das completed a Diploma in Textile Technology in 1986 and was introduced to Krishna consciousness in Coimbatore in 1991, serving during the first Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra and meeting HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja. In 1995, he joined ISKCON Srirangam as a resident and later received first initiation in 1997 and second initiation in 2001. He served as Assistant Manager there from 1997 onward. He pursued extensive spiritual education, earning Bhakti Sastri (2002), Bhakti Vaibhava (2005), and Bhakti Vedanta (2011) degrees from VIHE, along with several other training programs including Deity Worship, TTC 1 & 2, BSTTC, Leadership & Management, and Book Distribution courses. Since 2007, he has been serving in ISKCON Kumbakonam, currently as General Manager, and since 2017 as District Coordinator for six districts in Tamil Nadu. He also serves as a facilitator at Bhakti Vedanta Academy (Coimbatore), Srirangam Institute of Higher Education, and Chairman of Bhakti Vedanta Vidyapith, Kumbakonam.

HG Ravi Gopal Das

Coordinator for India (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) & Representative of Telugu language

Ravi Gopal Das, a second-initiated disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, has been practicing devotional service since 1998. Spiritually trained through VIHE and the Mayapur Institute, he completed Bhakti Shastri, Bhakti Vaibhava, Bhakti Vedanta, TTC, and BSTC courses. Dedicated to regional outreach, he has been teaching IDC and Bhakti Shastri courses in Telugu for over a decade, both online and onsite. From 2000–2008, he served in Krishna Katha Desh (Qatar), managing Bhakti Vrikshas, altar services, and finances. In 2008, he left his professional career as a Cost & Management Accountant to fully dedicate himself to spiritual service, later managing HH Jayapataka Swami’s office (2011–2016). Now based in Hyderabad, he serves the deities at ISKCON Hyderabad. His journey reflects deep dedication to teaching, devotional service, and the mission of Srila Prabhupada.