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to respond to any of the lucid points she raised, her entire person was dismissed as
being under my influence; in the same fashion, many an attempt was made at
“saving” Arjun from my clutches. What became in fact the main obstacle to the
campaign seeking our removal was the solidarity that flowed between us, through
all these years of attacks, aspersions and calumnies.
I had to travel to France again in November, to be with C, and with F.J and Ch.J,
and with Auragni.
While I was away, Kusum wrote to the Governing Board members, in her personal
capacity (she had already taken a public stand, speaking up openly in the presence
of the entire Governing Board and many Aurovilians in their last meeting in
Auroville, late September). This is her letter:
*On Matrimandir, to the Members of the Governing Board, from Kusum
Shah, November 11, 2002:
“Sadar Pranam,
Before I say anything else perhaps it is necessary for me to introduce myself. I am
Kusum Shah. In my youth, during the Independence Movement, I was able to serve
Bharat Mata as a freedom fighter. I am also proud to be the widow of a brave
warrior of this country who was jailed during the struggle for Independence, in
Gujarat.
India became free. Years passed, and on my own spiritual quest, I arrived in
Pondichéry in 1970. From then till now I have been a member of Auroville. Seen in
this manner, I am not only a senior citizen of India, but also a senior citizen of
Auroville. In Auroville, Mother had given me the task of taking care of the temple of
Sri Ganesh that formed part of one of the first pieces of land bought by Her for
Auroville. Though born a Jaïn, Mother made me the Pujarin of this temple of
Auroville Sri Ganesh and enjoined me to conduct without fail the daily prayer in a
manner I saw fit. This responsibility I have carried out since 1972. I do not know if
you are aware of this unique Auroville Ganesh Mandir, I would like to invite you to
visit it when you are here next.
I am also a member of the Matrimandir Workers Team. My responsibilities include
the reception, information and liaison work connected with receiving hundreds of
visitors and donors who come to Matrimandir every day. I also do fund-raising for
Matrimandir when necessary.
With this background I would now like to draw your attention very strongly to some
events that are unfolding with great rapidity in Auroville. Since more than a year a
group of Aurovilians are demanding ‘change and replacement’ at Matrimandir. This
movement began after the Governing Board decided, during its meeting in August
2001, on the insistence of its Auroville member, Roger Anger, to refer the issue to
the Residents Assembly of Auroville.
I am deeply offended and distressed at the way this matter has been conducted so
far. I have never seen such behaviour in Auroville. This is why I feel constrained to
write to you. The simple truth is that the ONLY person who has consistently refused
dialogue is Shri Roger Anger. Rather than acknowledging this basic fact, the target
has been turned into persons working at Matrimandir for many years, and the