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Our situation was quite intricate: both Deepti and Arjun had personally known
Kireet Joshi, the Chairman, for many years, and met often with him in Delhi –
Kireet had been largely instrumental in creating the text of the of the Bill of
Parliament that had caused the Auroville Foundation to exist; they had a high
regard for him and he had acquired an elevated stature in their psyches, until they
saw and understood his ruthlessness, through his actions in Auroville.
Jyoti had also known Kireet for all these years; although she visited Auroville
frequently in her personal capacity, she had remained based in Delhi, where she
often was able to assist Auroville as an informal ambassadress with the
Government authorities. When Kireet had at last been given the post of Chairman
of the Auroville Foundation, he requested her to become a member. Jyoti, an
aristocrat in all the senses of the term, with very high ethical standards, was also
very devoted to Kireet and regarded him rather like a guru. On the other hand she
was extremely attached to Arjun, having somewhat raised him after the passing of
their mother when Arjun was still a small child. This attachment was mutual. Being
formally appointed as a member of the Governing Board meant, to Jyoti’s mind,
that she must not yield her judgement to this attachment, and must not give any
cause to anyone to doubt her impartiality. This principle of action she took very far,
and was helped in that by her unconditional reverence to Kireet Joshi.
This was her reply:
*To Smt. Kusum Shah, from Jyoti Madhok, New Delhi, November 18, 2002:
“Dear Kusumben,
It is true that the problem concerning Matrimandir has caused considerable anguish
to us all and I realise only too well how imperative it is that a true and harmonious
solution is found at the earliest.
In response to your letter, I would like to say that the Chairman of the Governing
Board of Auroville Foundation, Kireetbhai, is someone whose commitment to the
Mother and Sri Aurobindo is to my mind unquestionable. His whole life bears ample
testimony to this fact and has been devoted entirely to the realisation of Their
Ideals.
That he has worked for Auroville unceasingly for many years with only one aim,
that of the highest welfare of Auroville, is something acknowledged by a number of
Aurovilians and others I all echelons of the country. That ‘the Mother gives work
and not authority’ finds visible expression in his method and approach to his own
work, which involves numbers of people. Personally, I can tell you that he has
stressed many times that he is against the exclusion of anyone. Therefore, I think
that a more correct and a deeper understanding of Kireetbhai’s words is called for.
I would like to add that cynicism and mistrust have to give way to understanding
and goodwill. It is the first requisite for moving towards agreement, collaboration
and a progressive harmony. We all have to make a great effort to overcome the
obstacles that stand in the way of arriving at true Brotherhood. With the Mother’s
Grace all is possible.
Best wishes and regards,