No. 7G, Rainbow Colony,
MG Road, Dharavi,
Mumbai – 17.
18 / 09 / 2016.
My dear George,
Judging
from your letter which I received last week, you seem to have funny notions
about India. You associate this country with snakes, tigers, Maharajas and
Yogis. Until recently, this was indeed the popular image of India in the minds
of many westerner, it was an image created by an Anglo – Indian novels and the reports
of Englishmen whose observation of Indian life was superficial. I am surprised
to find that you believe in it in this age of increasing international contact
and understanding.
I
suggest that you should visit India in the near future form your own opinion of
this country . India is, of course, a vast country, a sub – continent, and it
ia not easyto understand and judge it. I am sure your visit will surely dispel
false romantic notions about it.
I assure
you that a few weeks’ sojourn in India will be highly rewarding. There are so
many things worth seeing here – rivers, temples, historical relics and
monuments, and great centres of pilgrimage. You shall see an ancient country
remarkable for its fundamental unity. It is , of course , economically
backward, but it is developing rapidly. Though some of us living in the cities
are influenced by Western ways of living, we have our own traditions and
customs which are interesting and meaningful.
I hope
that you will seize upon my suggestion. Please put up with me during your stay
in Mumbai.
Your
affectionate pen – friend,
Arun.