Russia’s new president auspicious says Krishna devotee

suchandra · May 8, 2008

Sometime ago I heard a saying, something like "never trust a politician", but that's again, outdated and false?

Russia’s new president "auspicious" says Krishna devotee

Love for Medvedev in the stars, in wax and on wall

8 hours ago

MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia's new president Dmitry Medvedev has barely moved into the Kremlin but the power of the office already has everyone from bureaucrats to astrologists to the Hare Krishna flocking to show support. Medvedev was sworn in as president in a grand Kremlin ceremony on Wednesday, watched by his predecessor Vladimir Putin, who is to become prime minister. After eight years as Russia's leader, Putin's picture adorns bureaucrats' offices and state-controlled television follows his every move in unabashed awe.

It may be early days for Medvedev but there are already signs he will get the same treatment with his portrait being snapped up for offices around the country, according to Russian press reports. Medvedev also won the praise of astrologers and the Hare Krishna who on Wednesday said that the inauguration date augured great things. "Medvedev will be lucky," astrologist Pavel Globa told daily newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. With Mars and Jupiter not in the ascendent, Medvedev will have a predictable, calm term, he said. The stars are in perfect alignment for "reform of state structures and the bringing in of new personnel," Globa said.

"It is a good sign that Medvedev's inauguration comes on the same day as the Akshaya-Tritiya holiday," said Yury Pleshakov, spokesman for the Hare Krishna community speaking of the Hindu holiday. "The holiday is the starting point for important deeds.The choice of the inauguration is no accident and behind it is some kind of plan by God," said a Hare Krishna priest. The Hare Krishna movement has previously accused Russian authorities of harassing Hindus in Russia. "We want to see the continuation of Vladimir Putin's course in improving Russian-Indian relations," said Pleshakov. Medvedev is the first Russian leader to practise yoga, the spiritual exercise which originated in India.