New Delhi/Kolkata: The front-runner in the US presidential race was attacked by a gunman at an election rally in Pennsylvania. He was shot in the ear in an alleged assassination attempt. ISKCON on Sunday recalled Donald Trump's association with the first Rath Yatra in New York nearly half a century ago. ISKCON Kolkata vice-president Radharaman Das described Trump's narrow escape as divine intervention.
Rail yard made available free of cost
Das said that in July 1976, Donald Trump had helped the devotees of ISKCON who were looking for a big place to build the chariot. He had made his train yard available for free. He said that today it is the turn of Lord Jagannath to repay this favor during the Rath Yatra festival. The first Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on Fifth Avenue in New York in 1976 was possible only with the help of Trump, the rising real estate mogul of that time.
A dark chapter in American history… Indian-origin Americans disappointed by the attack on Trump, know what they are saying?
Space was needed to build the chariot
Das said that finding a huge empty space near 5th Avenue in New York where the chariots could be built was never easy. ISKCON devotees, who were planning to celebrate the organization's 10th anniversary with a grand Rath Yatra in New York, knocked on the doors of every possible person, but all in vain. A few days later, ISKCON devotees came to know that Donald Trump had bought the old railway yard.
Only God prevented this from happening… After the attack, Trump gave a message to the American people, appealing for unity
… so no one expected a yes
At that time, devotees went to his office with a large basket of mahaprasad and a presentation package. His secretary took it but warned that he never agrees to such things. You can ask but he is going to say 'no.'” Three days later, Trump's secretary called the devotees and said: I don't know what happened but he read your letter, took a bit of the food you left and immediately said, 'Sure, why not?'