Sir,

Swami Vivekananda’s famous lesson for life “face the terrible, face it boldly” comes to my mind  while reading the well-written letter and the Editor’s Note in Star of Mysore dated Oct.17.

Quoting Swamiji’s experience in Varanasi, when being chased by monkeys, it seemed impossible to escape, when a stranger called out to Swamiji, “face the brutes.” Swamiji then turned and faced the monkeys, and they fell back and fled.

We have to fight fear and troubles and ignorance if we expect them to flee before us was Swamiji’s inspiring saying.

It seems ironical that an institution of such great ideals and motto is being dragged into matters related to children’s education. They have been pioneers in spreading the spirit of work, joy, peace, positivity, courage, service, spirituality, discipline, sportsmanship, apart from good education and skill training and nutrition to children, teenagers, youth, men, women and differently-abled, through their innumerable schools, centres all over India and abroad.

The ordinary tendency is, when someone strikes, to strike back; but this is not the case with a man of masterful mind. It is not that he lacks in sensibility, but these things do not move him; he has, as it were, put on an armour of fortitude and calmness.

We the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, Mysuru, are pained to see these unfortunate events unfold and pray to the Holy Trio that the matter ends amicably.

– Indira Ganapathy, Yadavagiri, 18.10.2019

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