GOKRSNA was honored with the Hindu Business Award at Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh.
When the world slowed its restless pace in the year 2020, and familiar routines were suddenly brought to a standstill, Dr. Nivedita and her husband, Prathap, found themselves immersed in an uncommon stillness. Dr. Nivedita, holder of a doctorate from Oxford and formerly engaged in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and Prathap, whose work spanned the domains of information technology and fashion supply chains, had long lived within the rhythm of modern professional enterprise. Yet, when the global pandemic disrupted the course of ordinary life, they were compelled to ask a deeper and more essential question: “What is the true purpose of life?”
“We witnessed how easily people were losing their lives,” Dr. Nivedita recalled. That sobering realization stirred within them a desire for deeper inquiry. Together, they began studying the Bhagavad-gītā and soon enrolled in an 18-day Tamil-language course conducted by Murali Shyam Dāsa. “Within just six days,” she shared, “our entire perspective on life was transformed.”
This transformation was not merely intellectual; it was lived and practiced. They resolved to consume only organic food that could be offered to Kṛṣṇa—pure, freshly prepared, free from chemical additives, and sanctified by devotion. “For one and a half years, we did not eat anything from outside,” she said, describing the radical change they undertook.
One telling incident further confirmed their convictions. When Prathap once tasted a commercially produced chocolate, his mouth reacted almost immediately. “It was burning,” she recounted. “We realized how many preservatives and stabilizers we had been consuming earlier.” With her scientific training, Dr. Nivedita recognized that the same “E-numbers” she had once used in her laboratory were appearing as ingredients in everyday food. “I began to question why these chemicals were being added to what we eat.” In this way, science and spirituality converged, sowing the seeds of their new path.
Community Impact
Encouraged by the instruction of their spiritual guide—“Prasādam distribution is the best way”—they established GOKRSNA, a social enterprise and Community Interest Company in Scotland. Its mission is to serve fresh, vegetarian, sanctified food, free from preservatives and refined sugar, with zero plastic usage, and largely delivered through electric vehicles.
The name itself carries layered meaning. As Prathap explained, “Go” signifies “give it a go,” go-mātā, and Kṛṣṇa in Goloka. “Kṛṣṇa” means “all-attractive.” Dr. Nivedita elaborated, “Give it a go at everything, and everything is attractive—that is Kṛṣṇa.”
At the heart of their service lies the historic town of Lesmahagow, known as the “land of monks” and home to ISKCON Scotland. There, Prathap serves as a community development officer, meeting residents, distributing nature-friendly prasādam, and listening carefully to community feedback.
A particularly memorable milestone occurred at the Lanarkshire Climate Conference, where they prepared a fully sattvic menu using locally grown produce. The food was cooked in a community kitchen, transported by electric vehicle, and served in stainless steel containers that were later collected, washed, and reused. The entire event produced virtually no waste—demonstrating that conscious, devotional food practices are both feasible and impactful.
The response was heartfelt and affirming. One scholar, after tasting their offerings, told Dr. Nivedita that it would have been an insult to even ask whether it was acceptable—it was simply wonderful. Such moments reaffirmed their conviction that sincerity and devotion in service speak louder than any form of promotion.
Beyond organized events, GOKRSNA touches lives in simple yet profound ways: children delighting in whole-wheat jaggery cookies, village residents enjoying natural fruit ice creams, and renunciants expressing appreciation for their purity and vision. These encounters, they consider, are their living “proof of concept.”
International Yoga Day at Mother Earth Hindu Temple.
Community members, including representatives from Police Scotland, interact with the GOKRSNA team during the International Day of Yoga event.
GOKRSNA at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Christmas Fair.
Sustainability & Vision
To properly understand their mission, one must appreciate the principle of sattvic food. In Vedic dietary philosophy, sattvic food is fresh, pure, natural, and prepared with consciousness and devotion. Such food nourishes clarity, peace, spiritual inclination, and well-being. In an age dominated by ultra-processed consumption, GOKRSNA’s emphasis on sattvic standards stands as both a spiritual offering and an ecological statement.
Their efforts have been recognized by the Scottish Hindu Foundation through the Hindu Business Award, which honors entrepreneurs who exemplify leadership, cultural integrity, and selfless service. Dr. Nivedita humbly remarked, “This award is actually a recognition of our guru and guru-paramparā. We are simply following the instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda and our spiritual master.”
This acknowledgment has strengthened their resolve to broaden awareness of sattvic living. “It would be wonderful if sattvic food became a recognized dietary option,” she said. “But awareness must first be cultivated.”
Their long-term vision spans centuries. They envision a circular economy wherein produce is locally grown, prepared, and consumed within a harmonious ecosystem. Plans include tree-planting initiatives, the establishment of self-sufficient village hubs rooted in varṇāśrama principles, and, ultimately, a GOKRSNA farm with a goshālā—producing milk, yogurt, and vegetables on-site.
“Our ultimate aim is that each village becomes self-sufficient,” she explained, “restoring nature’s balance and drawing closer to Kṛṣṇa.”
GOKRSNA engages participants at the Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub event.
Members of the public take part in thoughtful discussions at the Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub.
GOKRSNA’s Vision for the Future – “Embrace green food today for a better tomorrow.”
Stats on their Tree-Planting Initiative in 2025.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Reflecting on their transformation from corporate professionals to spiritual entrepreneurs, Dr. Nivedita remains deeply grateful. “I thank Śrīla Prabhupāda,” she said. “Because of him, I am now running toward my soul’s true purpose.”
Through GOKRSNA, Dr. Nivedita and Prathap are not merely serving nature-friendly, sanctified food. They are offering a vision: that purification of diet leads to purification of consciousness, community, and ultimately, the planet itself.
In an age of global uncertainty, their story stands as a luminous example—that when life is guided by clarity of purpose, integrity in action, and devotion in the heart, even the simplest acts of service can ripple outward, nourishing both body and soul.
Deepen your Bhakti-yoga practice, harmonize relationships, and receive guided coaching — all at Vedavarsity.com
