VP CP Radhakrishnan Releases Hindol Sengupta's Book In New Delhi

Vice President of India CP Radhakrishnan released Sing, Dance and Lead, a book based on the leadership lessons of Srila Prabhupada, on 7 January, 2026 at the Vice President Enclave in New Delhi. The book has been written by Hindol Sengupta and published by Penguin Random House India. Vice President was the Chief Guest of this special book launch event, which was attended by eminent leaders, thinkers and influencers from various parts of the country. Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, was the Guest of Honour. Hindol Sengupta, the acclaimed historian and the author of the book, was also present. The event was presided by Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore and Founder and Chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation and Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Senior Vice President of ISKCON Bangalore and Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Akshaya Patra.
 
Sing, Dance and Lead brings alive ideas of leadership from one of the most impactful spiritual leaders in recent history. The book, for the first time, looks at the leadership of Srila Prabhupada not only in the light of existing theories and knowledge about leadership, but also at how his teachings and practices went far beyond what they could teach us. His exceptional leadership legacy has left a lasting imprint, inspiring his followers to continue his mission and strive for the welfare of humanity to this day. This pioneering book will undoubtedly become an essential read in understanding the Indian Guru-shishya parampara as a vital source for leadership training. It may be noted that Sengupta’s earlier biography on Srila Prabhupada ‘Sing, Dance and Pray’, went on to become a best-seller and won appreciation in India and abroad.

Sing, Dance and Lead is an engaging book for people of all ages and from all walks of life. It will broaden readers’ horizons and enable them to understand and relate to Srila Prabhupada’s style of leadership and management. Readers will gain a whole new perspective on leadership and be able to recognise Srila Prabhupada as a unique leader who brought about a spiritual revolution across the globe. Srila Prabhupada is the inspiration for all the spiritual, cultural and humanitarian projects and initiatives of ISKCON Bangalore and Akshaya Patra. He was honoured with the esteemed title ‘Vishwaguru’ for the first time by the Akhila Bharatiya Akhara Parishad during the Maha Kumbh at Prayag last year.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Shri CP Radhakrishnan remarked, “Today’s launch of Sing, Dance and Lead marks a moment of reflection on leadership as a way of life, rooted in values, service, discipline, and joy, rather than authority or power. This book draws on the extraordinary life of Srila Prabhupada, whose thoughts are not merely about changing the world but about transforming it. His leadership proves that nothing is ever too late - only values and effort matter, as demonstrated by his historic journey at the age of 70. I congratulat Prof. Hindol Sengupta and ISKCON Bangalore for taking up this project and wish the book gets a wide readership, which it richly deserves.
 

The founding of ISKCON in 1966 stands as a global leadership model rooted in conviction, service, moral clarity, and unwavering faith. Srila Prabhupada led not through command but by example, not by imposing but by inspiring. He has established and organised an institution that will serve society for generations and demonstrated that leadership transcends geography, race, and economic divides, reaching both the poorest and the richest societies alike. The timeless vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world as one family, found living expression in his global spiritual movement. Many know about ISKCON, but not many know about Srila Prabhupada. That is the greatest success of his leadership.
 

Leadership, particularly in public life, is described as the force that shapes society’s direction. Democratic institutions thrive not merely on procedures, but on trust and moral responsibility, the principles Srila Prabhupada embodied throughout his life. In this age of speed, distraction and fragmentation, his teachings are more relevant than ever, reminding society of the need for inner discipline to complement outer discipline.
 

The Akshaya Patra Foundation stands as a living example of how spiritual inspiration can be organised into large-scale, structured service benefiting millions. Faith combined with professional excellence, as seen in Akshaya Patra, proves that scalable welfare and public good are possible when guided by moral purpose. I had the opportunity to inaugurate the Akshaya Patra kitchen in Hazaribagh (Jharkhand). I interacted with the beneficiaries and shared my lunch with them. The milestone of feeding 5 billion meals is really remarkable. I am sure this good work will continue, and the younger generation will get healthy, hygienic and nutritious food. I wish them the very best in their endeavours for the welfare of society.”
 

Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “I thank the Vice President for gracing the book launch event as the Chief Guest. Sing, Dance and Lead invites readers to re-examine leadership not merely as a skill, but as a way of life - rooted in responsibility, purpose, and moral clarity. The life of Srila Prabhupada stands among the most compelling leadership narratives of the modern age, demonstrating that leadership is driven by inner calling rather than authority or ambition. Rather than presenting culture as nostalgia, he offered it as living knowledge capable of transforming individuals, communities, and societies.
 

The book highlights Prabhupada’s rare ability to translate ideas into institutions, books into movements, beliefs into systems and vision into continuity - offering valuable lessons in ethical and institutional leadership. It reframes leadership as responsibility and not entitlement. In an era where leadership is often measured by visibility, speed and short-term outcomes, Srila Prabhupada’s life teaches that depth creates durability and purpose gives direction to power.
 

The Akshaya Patra initiative stands as a global benchmark, showing how faith combined with professional excellence can create meaningful public good and scalable welfare guided by moral purpose. My best wishes to ISKCON Bangalore, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, Akshaya Patra and its associated organisations across the world in their noble endeavours to continue the glorious legacy of Srila Prabhupada.”
 

Madhu Pandit Dasa said, “I thank the Hon’ble Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji for launching the book Sing, Dance and Lead - based on our Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada. I am grateful to Hon’ble Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji for his gracious presence. I also thank the other dignitaries and all the attendees for their participation in the event. I express my heartfelt appreciation to Prof. Hindol Sengupta for his interest in understanding Srila Prabhupada’s life and achievements, and for his efforts to present them to the world through his works. This important book is a must-read for people of all ages, especially young aspiring leaders, offering insightful lessons to apply in their daily lives. It is a treasure of knowledge and wisdom that is more profound than existing management theories. I request everyone to read the book and help us in propagating Srila Prabhupada’s teachings that will bring about a transformation in many lives.”
 

Hindol Sengupta said, “I am most grateful to the Hon’ble Vice President of India for doing me the seminal honour of releasing my book. The work on the histories and theologies of India is a lifelong journey, and I feel I have just started on this journey. India needs to learn how to live and how to lead from its own incredible theological history, which is largely untapped. Sing, Dance and Lead is an attempt to build this corpus of knowledge, combining ancient wisdom and modern leadership techniques. Everything I have done is due to the encouragement of Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa and Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa of ISKCON Bangalore, the blessings of Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada and the infinite grace of Sri Krishna.”
 

The book has garnered fulsome and unanimous praise from several highly accomplished leaders and scholars. Celebrated personalities like Narayana Murthy (Founder, Infosys), Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Chairperson, Biocon Limited), Ms. Chandrika Tandon (Grammy-winning musician, business leader and humanitarian), Jaideep Prabhu (University of Cambridge), Asha Saxena (Columbia University) and Shiv Khera have endorsed the book.