Prema Nandakumar’s article “He gave us back our dignity” (Jan. 10) on Swami Vivekananda was timely. It was heartening to read the Editor’s note on the article “Taking the aggression out of masculinity” (Jan. 3) that “the views in the article are those of the author and not of The Hindu. ” It vindicates the stand of those who have understood the significant contribution of Swami Vivekananda to our society.
A. Ramasubramanian,
Faridabad
Ms Nandakumar’s article is laudable. As Swami Vivekananda himself said: “The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in a proper light.” The Hindu has done well to express regret.
A.J. Rangarajan,
Chennai
I do not understand why The Hindu published a note regretting Sanjay Srivastava’s reference to Swami Vivekananda and the use of his photograph. Why are we, Indians, averse to facts? While Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Gandhiji are feminine streams of Indian thought and action, Swami Vivekananda represents the masculine stream. Unfortunately, the RSS and the sangh parivar absorbed the masculine nature. Other political parties also found masculinity a good source to reap maximum dividends. It was quite natural for a society nurtured on patriarchy for hundreds of years to readily absorb it, harden it and practise it.
K. Aravindakshan,
Eravu
