16th August, 2018: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) joins the country in mourning and paying tribute to one of India’s most iconic leaders, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
We offer our condolences to his family members and to the entire nation.
From a young ag,e Mr. Vajpayee was drawn towards working for the betterment of others. Over the years, this led him to take on several different roles and strive for the welfare of others despite challenges and difficulties. Mr. Vajpayee, a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, was equally approachable to everyone regardless of their languages, cultures and spiritual beliefs for which he was respected by one and all.
ISKCON was privileged to have a well-wisher and a friend in Mr. Vajpayee who inaugurated the ISKCON temples in New Delhi and Coimbatore in 1998.
Mr. Vajpayee’s respect for Srila Prabhupada, Founder and Acharya of ISKCON, was genuine and heartfelt. He called Srila Prabhupada’s journey to the West to establish ISKCON as one of the greatest spiritual events of the century!.
Mr. Vajpayee who served as the Prime Minister of India twice and was a member of the Indian Parliament for over four decades was always known for his humility, compassion and eagerness to help others. This care and concern was witnessed several times when he would meet ISKCON devotees and inquire about their well-being and activities of ISKCON, especially in Russia where he eagerly wanted a magnificent temple for Lord Krishna to come up.
It was Mr. Vajpayee who was instrumental in issuing long-term visas to ISKCON devotees during his tenure as the External Affairs Minister of India in the 70’s.
Mr. Vajpayee was much more than a poet, social activist and the leader of a country. He touched the lives of every single Indian and made them feel safe and genuinely cared for. He was Indeed seen by many as a father figure. He was a leader, teacher and an example for the entire nation. He is, and will continue to be, a symbol of hope, faith, and forbearance.
May Lord Sri Krishna bless this great soul.
Released by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
Ministry of Communications
Yudhistira Govinda Das