During the preliminary stages of putting this issue together a readers concern was raised regarding an intended four-page feature entitled "Vedic Astrological Perspectives into the New Millennium" by Vedic astrologer Hamsavatar dasa (Howard Beckman). The concern raised questions about the relevance of such discussions on topics of predicted Earth-changes and the possibility of imminent all-out world-war in a magazine entitled Radha-Krishna Prema, especially in light of what Srila Gurudeva has said more recently on these issues. These are good points and a fair comment, and have led us to address the aims and objectives of this publication. (Readers interested in reading the above mentioned articles are requested to write in separately, enclosing an A4 SAE or correspond with the author directly. See opposite column.)

Although not our intention to have any statement of purpose engraved in stone, it is however felt that we need to have some guidelines which express our aims and purposes. The following excerpt from a letter from Srila Gurudeva dated 16.01.97 provides us with the basis of those guidelines:

" . . . I wanted that there should be a very good magazine in the English language, so please continue to publish this magazine and always make it better and better. It will be so helpful for all the devotees to become enthusiastic and enlivened in their practise of pure bhakti. This is the aim and object of our life: to hear, chant and remember about the name form, qualities and pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Krishna Yugal Kishor. Make sure you always emphasise suddha-bhakti. You can use my lectures and also articles from our acaryas. . ."

As well as encompassing the above it is also the welcome policy of Radha-Krishna Prema magazine to provide its readers with a forum via its pages in which we can promote loving reciprocal dialogue between the worldwide community of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's growing family members, feel safe and confident to open our hearts to each other, sharing our ups and downs, our struggles, our aspirations, appreciations and realizations.

It is also our intention to eventually provide a comprehensive community resource section in which individual devotees or groups are invited to offer their services, advertise festivals, temple services, programs, new books and literature, audio and video recordings, etc. or make contact with others.

Radha-Krishna Prema invites writers, correspondents, layout and graphic artists, proof-readers, photographers, poets and such to contribute in whatever way you can. Text can be submitted on IBM formatted floppy disks, but please check with us first. Submissions may be lightly edited. Requests for returned material should be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. All references should be identified by source.

We occasionally use material that has been placed in the public domain. It is not always possible to identify the copyright holder. If you claim credit for something we publish we'll be pleased to make a proper acknowledgement.