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January 14, 1976 : Calcutta

Hari Sauri: Mrs. Lalita Bose, an influential woman and good friend to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, visited Prabhupada in mid-evening. She is the niece of "Netaji" Subhas Chandra Bose, an old school friend of Srila Prabhupada's who became a national hero (especially in Bengal) during the agitation for Indian independence in the 1930-40s.

Mrs. Bose was talkative and loud, but respectful and willing to help where she could. She laughingly told Prabhupada that Netaji had organized an army to conquer India, and now Prabhupada had organized an army of Vaishnavas to conquer the world.

Prabhupada requested her to assist with the on-going visa problems his American disciples are having preventing them from staying in India for extended periods.

During their conversation she also remarked that Mrs. Gandhi had said that she thought Srila Prabhupada was a very pure saint. After she left, Prabhupada called in Madhudvisha and Tamal Krishna Maharajas. He asked them to organize a bus program throughout India for sankirtana propagation and prasadam distribution. Mrs. Bose's comment about Mrs. Gandhi had encouraged him. He told them that if this is her true sentiment, then we should take advantage of the favorable climate immediately.


Reference: A Transcendental Diary Volume 1 - Hari Sauri Dasa