From Bernie Meyer , USA

Thanks, Delia.

I read the full article and learned a lot about the movement experiences. Like all movements it has to cope with the dominant culture, now the burgeoning consumer culture, etc. I support women determining their own lives. My own sense is that men
need to study and address their own roles because we participated in the patriarchal culture dominating women. Men's groups can help here, but not enough are in existence.. It is easy to say I support liberation, another thing to realize and know what it
is all about, so much is unconscious.

Namaste, Bernie

From T F F Transnational Foundation, Sweden

date Apr 26, 2008 3:11 PM
Dear Delia Maria
Much belatedly: Congratulation, very measured and full of wisdom. I hope YOUR voice was hear up to the 17th. It was much needed - and so to a counter-thinking against the hysteria and confusion surrounding the Olympics/China.
Thanks and keep on struggling for truth and human common sense
With so fond memories of our wonderful meeting in Pune and ashamed I have not yet come back to India.
I will!
Ahimsally yours, if I may!
Jan Oberg

From Rev.D.Benedict Thyagarajan, Pune

Dear Friends,

Don't you know or remember this poor Gandhiji was so much committed to the cause of Rural and Urban poor and especially to the Farmers of this country! Now, our headless corrupt rascals -the political leaders, are 'Immobilizing the Innocent' poor people of India! How? What is this GQ well in progress across the country which took one Dubey to its toll. But how many of us give our minds to know some more tragedies behind these GQ Roads brain child of Vajpayee! They dug out every where to construct these roads.Now these roads are meant for high speed vehicles for fast profit making business of the capital calss! Now, the villages have divided into Left and Right Side of India! ( Leftuist and Rightist) The villagers cannot cross the roads either to enter their lands to till or the Daily Wage earners can cross the roads to find his job.They are in 'Immobilized 'consition!

There is no Human Rights Organization or Gandhians to plead or fight for these poeple!Why did'nt they plan not fly Over Bridges but underground roads or tunnels wherever the villagers have lost their appraoch or passing roads.This is the need of this hour.Human Right Activists and Gandhians should inssit this 'bogus' governent ruled by the 'Ghulans' of Capitalist to construct underground by passes near every village falling on the 'Robbers and Scoundrels GQ Roads'!This could be the real honour we can show to the Father of this corrupt nation.He never dreamt this country would become country of swines!

Don't imagine or get into erroneous thinking Gandhiji and even for the matter Jesus Christ would re-appear to justify or to be kind with this present most corrutpt wild animasl society.I am sure Gandhijiwoulod use his 'Danda' to bring awareness among the Ganfdhians or he would conduct drills in the way of RSS with his Danda to the Gandhains and the poor people of India for their self defence ,as well as, right o move and seek jobs.
Jesus had already suggested on swords! It was not the disciple who have raised the point on sword rather Jesus himself in a different frame of mind.

So what are we in front of these great people!?

Don't try to make or project Gandhiji as an impractical impotent! He was dynamic and also dynamite inspirit.Today people do not need human touch but they need British Bayonet in their backs to leanr basiscs of humanity.

Therefore, I am boldly propagating that 'Gandhiji Danda' should be issued to the poor people through their Ration Cards through PDS !

Peace! Don't try to find it when several crores of people are swimming in their own tears!

I am a Gandhian, Ashramite(contemplative) and an ordained Priest.I beleive God is inspiring me to type out like this ! " God is a God of Action and not a statue of Contemplation'Gandhji being a spiritual master, he cannot come as Godrej Fridge filled with ice cubes meant for Morgues!

May God guide us to love the people and to look into practical ways to give them 'Peace'

Chanting '"Ragupathi Rajaram ..." has relvance only for the Senior citizens and the so called 'Armchair philoso[phers' Gandhiji was not at all an 'Armchair philospher'

All the best and love,

Rev.D.Benedict Thyagarajan

from Lia Diskin Brazil

Dear Delia Maria,

Many thanks for sending the presentation of sukla Sen at the World Horishima Conference, held on August 3. Indeed, every year we see now situations in which violence - both direct and symbolic - gains new personas that in the name of "self-defense" or "preventive security" end up by using human and material resources to produce more and more sophisticated means of destruction. Distrust, the feeling of being constantly surrounded by enemies, withers the enthusiasm and creativity needed to search inteligent mechanisms to peacefully resolve conflicts. Such mechanisms, which we call "new technologies for coexistence" should be the major focus of States and democratic institutions committed to wellfare and development of its citizens, and the sustainability of natural resources.

Gandhi remains the healthy Voice and Eyes of this effort, this is why I would like to send you the initiative that Palas Athena is fostering to engage movements, institutions and persons in the promotion of Satyagraha. Please find the invitation below.

With my warm embrace, and gratitude,

Lia Diskin
Associacao Palas Athena
Rua Leoncio de Carvalho, 99
04003-010 Sao Paulo SP - BRAZIL
www.palasathena.org.br
Phone (5511) 3266-6188
Fax (5511) 3287-8941

CELEBRATE GANDHI’S BIRTHDAY from Bernie Meyer

“Lives of Meaning, Lives of Purpose”
“Conquering Shame, Conquering Numbing”
Dancing the Walk

October 2nd
Traditions Fair Trade

7:00 PM

Come to celebrate Gandhi’s Birthday with the American Gandhi, Bernie Meyer. And, celebrate Bernie’s 70th birthday too (October 11th). Bernie will share the experiences of his 700 plus miles walk from Glasgow to London with Foot Prints For Peace, “Toward a Nuclear Free World.” Bernie walked as The American Gandhi. Through radiation and threats of radiation, through record rains and global climate change, through communities of insight and ignorance, “we are all in this together.” Bernie offers to share by dancing the Walk…with talk.

From Vimala Thakar, Rajasthan

My dear Delia Maria,

Many thanks for your communication of 15th February." The Man Without Country " who ever he is, has veryimportant message for the Global Human Community.But the language used by him and the sarcastic criticismlacks dignity and even decency.The present president of U.S.A. is guilty of attacking Iraqand destroying the territory and human being in coldblood. The U.S.A. government has no moral authority topunish dictatorial regimes in any part of the world. I dohope that Mr. Bush does not implement his threats ofmilitary aggression on Iran. The Arab world in the middleeast is uniting as a reaction to the foreign policy of Mr.Bush. Terrorism throughout the world is one of the side effects of autocratic behaviour of the U.S.A. President.One does not want to say any thing more about thewhole situation at present juncture. Let us hope that the joint security project of India, China & Russia leads to the evolution of a Multi-Polar World.

With Best RegardsVimala Thakar

From Rev Benedict, Pune

To Dear Jeff With Love…
‘Namaste’

I am putting here some of my own thoughts and understandings.

It is very difficult to understand the Indian conditions. People are not looking with two eyes but only through one eye with their limited experiences and inhibitions! They do not open the other eye to see the stark realities around them! It may be hardly 1% of the Thinkers to Writers; Gandhians to Social Activists put their heart and soul into everything. Truth should be the goal to know anything and to do anything!

Gandhiji admits that his strong spiritual base was built because of the pestering by the Foreign Missionaries due to their faithful conviction in their own religion! Gandhiji remained as a staunch despite the defects and draw backs of Hinduism and his vast readings of all available Religions and Philosophies on the earth! His Commentary on Bhagavad Gita stands as witness for his commitment to Hinduism! Gandhiji could become a man who could blend spirituality and all human activity in proportion! Everyone has his own or her own experiences and convictions! That is the meaning for Freedom! As far as Indians are concerned spiritual background is the driving force or guiding force, from time immemorial! Indian Art, Architecture, Literature and their Epics are the living or surviving silent witnesses! That culture and life which had produced these marvelous things have been adulterated and disappeared, leaving a negligible part of it.
Gandhiji traveled across the country through unreserved 3rd class compartments to have the honest look at the living conditions of the Rural People - the majority, as per the population census. However, he too failed to put few pure sons and daughters of soils along with Nehru, Vallabhai Patil VK Menon of those sorts! The First generation leaders after the Indian Independence were all from the Higher Educational, as well as, elitist background. So to say a bad start and in other words ‘Undemocratic Start’! Granting Adult Franchise to the Rural Masses was not a donation from Gandhiji but it was their Constitutional Right! There was stiff opposition to grant this Adult Franchise to the illiterates!Gandhiji differed on that Issue! No comments on this!


Gandhiji has never been recognized with that Gandhi cap which has become a symbol of corruption in India, later! But the ‘Danda’ ‘Solid 6 feet wooden stick’ is synonym with Gandhiji.The common people should carry this in his sacred memory to remind the national leaders that they have been betrayed! If they carry this harmless stick in their hands, it may give them self-confidence and some respect from the ruling class! Otherwise they have to accept the boneless earthworm status for many millennia! These common people also need some ‘Power’, which can come only from the Gandhiji ‘Danda’ not by attending the Gandhi Bhajans! Even the Sabarmati Ashram was not spared from Vandalism! This is true India and respect for the Father of our Nation!?

Christ cannot be experienced through Western or European eyes! It should be through the Asiatic eyes! In my own life, my formation years with a stalwart, a forerunner for indigenous worship and indigenous interpretation of the Gospel of Asiatic Christ had its own influence! That Re-thinking Group pioneers in establishing the Christian Ashrams in Vedic pattern and studying Christ through the experiences of Sadhu Sundar Singh and of his spiritual caliber and a break through by Sway Vivekanand who sent shock wave to the orthodox Hindu philosophers that the Brahman –the Total Absolute cannot be understood but it can be understood only through Christ!

My eyes were wide opened to see India has become a corpse and the people –call them Gandhians, Congress,Communists,Intellectuals are jointly marching in the funeral! The country is in a bloody shape. The sufferings of the poor people cannot be imagined! They are simply powerless having no hope for tomorrow. Rowdy elements have taken over the helm of affairs and they are patronizing the Gandhian Organizations!
Therefore, in my young age I had seen the learned youth becoming Naxalite sympathizers or joining them! However, I cannot cross that border! That is not the solution! At the same time the people cannot live without the minimum force required for their self-defense and survival! Here I bade goodbye to every ‘ism’! I look independently and experience mockery in everything! I gave the first shower to the culprits within the Church! All those dignitaries whether Catholics or non-Catholics – are afraid of only one man in India and hate him! Unfortunately I got this rare distinction!

I love Gandhian philosophy and all philosophies but that should make my neigbours happy! I am not an animal to be happy in my own ways not minding what the ‘Bloody Wretched things are going on in the name of Democracy and one Government!
Freedom is to experience and to respond in independent way and not in collective way! As a Clergy I advise my people experience God in independent way or at personal way since the people inside the Church have corrupt the corporate worship taught by Jesus today!
I love people who live differently and think differently! That is the philosophy – real meaning to recognize the wonderful creation of God – creating everyone in unique manner!
I was strongly feeling to convey few personal thoughts to you while replying!
Thank you…Thank you…I am happy to come to know you through Delia!
Regards
Benedict

From Lia Diskin, Brazil

Dear Delia,

Thanks for the photos you sent with the message about the celebration of Women's Day. It is in fact discouraging. Changes take very long to happen, and not only in India, a country where the ages created a privileged home with plenty philosophical nutrition. Here in Brazil it is the same. Our role is to resist barbarism, as Edgar Morin says. Resist and persist, always educating the new generations in order to establish democratic relations with equitable rights and corresponding responsibilities.

Receive my most sympathetic embrace,

Lia Diskin
Associação Palas Athena
www.palasathena.org.br
NOVO ENDEREÇO liadiskin@palasathena.org.br

From Subba Rao, New Delhi

Dear Delia Maria,
Thanks for the sad news about our dear Shri Bhardeji. We have lost a wonderful friend, so full of love and compassion. He can not be replaced.
But he lived a full life and contributed richly to the society. Birth is an acident and death a certainty. In Swami Vivekananda's words, "They alone live who live for others; the rest are more dead than alive." Shri Bhardeji really lived. Let us get uinspired by him.
As a member of the family, I am one with you all in the gries.
Your brother,
S. N. Subba Rao
nypindia@hotmail.com

From Y P Anand, New Delhi

Dear Ms. Delia Maria,

I am extremely sorry to learn about the passing away of Shri Balasaheb Bharade. His desire to set up aninstitution for imparting Gandhian teachings to the youth must be honoured. I have left the National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi, as its Director wef August 1, 2006, and am now going to be occupied with mostly studies in Gandhian Political Economy anf such subjects. I shall be happy to be of any assistance of which I may be capable.
I pary to God to grant peace the departed soul.
Regards,

Dr. Y.P.Anand
ypanandindia@yahoo.co.in

From Y P Anand, New Delhi

Dear Ms. Delia Maria,

I am extremely sorry to learn about the passing away of Shri Balasaheb Bharade. His desire to set up aninstitution for imparting Gandhian teachings to the youth must be honoured. I have left the National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi, as its Director wef August 1, 2006, and am now going to be occupied with mostly studies in Gandhian Political Economy anf such subjects. I shall be happy to be of any assistance of which I may be capable.
I pary to God to grant peace the departed soul.
Regards,

Dr. Y.P.Anand
ypanandindia@yahoo.co.in

From Asish Das Gupta

Dear Delia,

Heartiest congratulations of being conferred with the Vidhayak Karyakarti award. My sincere apologies for the inordinate delay in conveying my greetings. My wife and I became grandparents in September so its been quite a bit of commuting between Delhi and Pune. Our daughter and her husband live in Delhi. They had a son on September 14-our first grandchild.

Its unfortunate we still haven't been able to meet. I am not sure if you'd want to because I am not a great Gandhi fan. From my school days, I've always had the impression that we got our independence a little too easily, thanks partly to Gandhi's non-violence movement. I preferred Subhas Bose's formula of driving the British out and in the process there would have been bloodshed and some amount of devastation. The surviving Indians would have had to build their country with their own hands, much like Japan and Germany after WW II. Had this happened, we would have loved our country more and perhaps we wouldn't have been rated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. I also have strong feelings about the division of the country to which Gandhi was a party. His legacy of non-cooperation had been followed by states like West Bengal, where I was born and brought up, and Kerala. You know how much these states suffered in the succeeding years. Being a Christian, I doubt if Christ's teaching of "turning the other cheek"-which is now credited to Gandhi's teachings-is relevant today. We live in a violent world and whilst I certainly don't preach "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", I feel, we have to take firm stands on issues today which sadly right-thinking Indians don't. Gandhi's relevance is debated today's world, especially amongst the younger generation, some whom don't even know who he is. The "Gandhigiri", result of a recent Hindi film, is hardly likely to have a long-term impact.

Having said all that I have, I am willing to concede that some of my impressions are due to lack of in-depth knowledge of Gandhi's teachings. I confess that I haven't read much about him. My conjectures are based purely on the realities of post-independence growing up in this country. Please feel free to call me "an idiot" if you want!

I hope you are keeping good health now? You certainly seem to be back on track as would appear from the hectic activates-the likes of Yerawada Mohalla Committee-that you are involved in.

With all good wishes,

Ashish.


ashishdg@vsnl.net

From Bernie Meyer - American Gandhi

Dear Delia,
Congrats on your award. The words youshared about the meaning of Gandhi's message today aremost meaningful to me. For example, on September 2rdI participated in a citizens action at Indian IslandNaval weapons base here in Washington State. 500attended. I was arrested with 36 others blocking thebase entrance. We are concerned about the weaponsused in Iraq and possibly in Iran. So, we carry onin Gandhi's light, as well as others.Also, we are working on producing a video of therecent Salt Walk. I'll keep you posted.
Namaste, Bernie Meyer