1360 / 1424
1360
As the Minister under whose responsibility the Auroville project is placed I ask you
for answers to my questions.
Kusum Shah”
Note: Major General KK Tewari (Retd), Deepti’s father, the senior Indian-born
resident of Auroville, respected by all, K.T here, also wrote to the Governing Board:
*To the Members of the Governing Board, by Krishna Tewari, 2
nd
July 2003:
“Dear Members of the Governing Board,
I write as an old time resident of Auroville as also an elder Indian. I am deeply
disturbed.
I have served our Motherland for the best part of my life. I have also served
Auroville for almost three decades – even representing Auroville residents in the
Supreme Court of India in 1980-82 when there was an attempt to convert Sri
Aurobindo’s teaching into a religion.
It seems to me that the very basis on which the Supreme Court case was won by
the Government of India for Auroville, is being violated by the Governing Board’s
decision to take over the finances of Matrimandir, the Soul of Auroville.
Also, at a meeting called by the Chairman of the Auroville Foundation in Auroville
on Sunday, 29
th
June, there was more than an hour long monologue by the
Chairman aimed against one individual, based solely upon a line by line
interpretation of the words of his letter. I have read this letter and have, on the
contrary, admired the frankness, honesty, bold and forthright expression of views
written as a member of the Core Group in response to the Governing Board’s own
urgent request, via the Secretary.
In my view this letter embodies the strength and courage of a young person
belonging to that resurgent India to which Sri Aurobindo addressed his call. To call
this person’s action ‘criminal’ in an open meeting is not only deplorable, it asks for
us as elders to reflect more deeply on how much we are the very cause for the lack
of leadership in this country today.
What makes the matter even more absurd is that all this is being done for the sake
of one member of the Governing Board who is being projected as the sole and
unquestioned representative of the Mother. This is an insult and betrayal of Mother
and Auroville for She never nominated any exclusive leaders in Auroville. She also
told the Architect (on record) to collaborate with others. He has yet to learn this
simple lesson.
I request you, as brothers and sisters, to reflect deeply on the long term
implications of the present hasty action which might shake the very foundations the
Mother gave Auroville and which contravenes the purpose for which you have been
appointed.