By Jagannath Das
Ghanashyama prabhu, Dayanidhi prabhu and I had the good fortune to connect with the District Magistrate of Nadia, Sri Vijai Bharati on Tuesday the 13th of October, 2015 at his home, where we were reminded of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura who held the magistrate position, some 125 years ago. If a single word could encapsulate the evening, it would have to be inspirational.
Ghanashyam prabhu had met Mr. Bharati about a month and a half earlier, and they enjoyed the comfort of speaking freely with each other as friends. They wanted to meet again, but as both of them were busy, the meeting had been delayed. Yesterday however, Ghanashyam prabhu resolved to make time for the meeting. He secured an after-work appointment, Dayanidhi prabhu and I joined him, and together we were off by car to Krishnanagar.
The drive was smooth. We discussed how the roads are sometimes good, sometimes bumpy, and that the Magistrate is someone who can help with improving infrastructure for the benefit of Mayapur’s pilgrims. We chanted japa. We discussed Srila Prabhupada’s desire to connect the powerful men to Krishna. This was to be our opportunity to assist Srila Prabhupada in the service of Sri Mayapur Dhama, and devotees around the world.
By the time we arrived at his office, clouds had gathered and burst into rain. Fortunately for us, having dressed up for the meeting, Ghanashyam prabhu remembered to bring an umbrella. We sat inside the office and waited. Prabhu inquired with the secretary about our appointment. There was a delay. As we sat together discussing this development, his phone rang and it was Mr. Bharati inviting us to meet with him at his home, in the adjacent building.
We drove over and into the gated estate, taking note of the inlayed flashing lights in the street, as seen in airport runways. There was corridor of trees canopying the curved driveway which discovered the stately colonial-era house occupied by members of the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), of which the District Magistrate is the most prominent officer in Nadia. We were welcomed and seated in the antechamber. After more japa and discussion amongst ourselves, we were signaled by members of the DM’s private security force, two tall affable gentlemen in military browns, to enter his home office.
Whereas outside the office there was renovation work and even a frisky barking pet dog, the inside of the office was freshly upholstered and brightly painted, with Mr. Bharati seated at his desk as we filed in greeting him, saying Hare Krishna and joining our palms to our foreheads. We were seated, Ghanashyam prabhu introduced us, and after a few sweet words from both sides, Mr. Bharati spread his arms, spanning his desk and inquired, “So, what can I do to help you?”
Ghanashyam prabhu said we had come to learn if there were any updates about the Mayapur/ Dhubulia road widening and bridge construction to cross the Jalangi River. Mr. Bharati nodding, recalled the project and replied that he knew the right person to ask about it. He dialed the number and signaled his assistant to bring his iPad, on which he deftly opened to a satellite map of the segment in question. The man on the other end of the phone picked up and they discussed in Hindi over speaker phone for everyone to hear.
By listening to the discussion, we found out that Mr. Bharati has already started work on a plan to shuttle pilgrims by speed boat from the highway, a little south of the proposed bridge site in to Mayapur, as a park and ride program. Having discussed the development of that project, he proceeded with the matter of the Jalangi bridge, and concluded the call.
Work will begin on the roads toward the bridge site after Diwali and he assured us that the budget allotted to the road construction would be large enough to meet our needs for a quality passage into Mayapur for our guests and pilgrims. Mr. Bharati volunteered that big trucks should not be allowed after a certain point to maintain the sanctity of the Dhama, clearly indicating his personal commitment to the Mayapur project. This was another encouraging moment for us as cultivators. He would also like us to put stickers on our vehicles which discourage open defecation, which we acknowledged the importance of.
We invited him to visit Mayapur soon, and he mentioned plans for visiting this weekend as it’s Durga Puja, adding that his wife and mother are very inclined toward spiritual life. We handed him some mahaprasadam from the goshala made in ghee, and he was very grateful. Smiling, he mentioned that he has a cow also. He wanted us to personally offer the sweets to his wife and mother, and so pointed us the way to meet them, upstairs.
We ascended and were welcomed into his sitting room where we discussed with his wife, mother and niece. Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita was lying beside the bed, which Ghanashyam prabhu had given last time they met. It was being read every night.
The three of us sat on one couch, and the family sat opposite to us. We talked together for more than an hour in that peaceful environment. Ghanashyam prabhu discussed how this material life can end at any moment and hence the urgency of Krishna consciousness. We were all of different ages, from different places, and the point was brought up how Krishna consciousness has something for everyone. I was asked to speak a little Bengali for everyone’s entertainment, and it was met with enthusiastic applause.
Mr. Bharati also joined us after a while and inquired about the book I had which was a compilation of Srila Prabhupada’s original Bengali articles from the 1940’s in the Gaudiya Patrika. I handed it to him and he relished reading a passage. He had learned Bengali, Jaipur being his homestead, and I offered him the book as a token of our first meeting, a personal gift which he gratefully accepted. Ghanashyam Prabhu, offered him some scented oil from the Deities which he applied on the spot and let everyone smell.
We requested them to arrange a small home program in the near future, inviting friends if they like. We would have kirtan, discourse and prasadam which we will bring, and they agreed. Mr. Bharati brought us to the balcony where he had constructed a small temple and suggested we hold the program there itself. On that positive note, we brought the meeting to a close, saying farewell and Hare Krishna. I said “see you soon” in Bengali which got a laugh out of everyone. As we descended the stairs his mother called down and asked if she could have a photo. I suggested we make it a group photo.
After several photos with no less than three cameras, we made our second farewell. But our smiles didn’t stop when we left the estate. On the ride back to Mayapur, we continuously discussed what happened and the importance of VIP cultivation for ISKCON as a whole and Mayapur in particular, as our world headquarters. The importance of maintaining confidentiality when dealing with VIPs was also affirmed by everyone. This is a lifelong service which can have massive positive results for Srila Prabhupada’s movement and we seek your kind blessings to continue acting as the instruments of his mercy in this way. Thank you for choosing me to be a member the VIP cultivation team in Sridham Mayapur.
Your humble servant,
Jagannath Das
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