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| More letters re Charlotte Hofton's article |  |  | |
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This is the whole letters section of April 8th which the editor kindly sent me. I think Dorri's letter's already been printed here but I'm including it anyway. Note my own small note down at the bottom:
Readers defend Prem Rawat and universal message
From Dorri Jones, 1 Medham Cottage, Church Lane, Northwood: Disappointingly, Charlotte Hofton's promised 'objective view' failed to materialise in her article on my exhibition at St Mary's Hospital (CP, 01-04-05). I welcomed her in a spirit of honest openness and I'm frankly outraged at such derogatory and personal remarks towards my family, my colleagues and to Prem Rawat. Her article relied on derision, inaccurate and hearsay accounts. It did not provide objective analysis, a balanced perspective or reliable conclusion. Prem Rawat's is a pointedly apposite message that warrants fair consideration in our strife-filled world. He has consistently delivered it since childhood in India, then internationally from age 13. I'm proud to endorse the efforts of a man who has made this his lifetime's work. He said: 'The peace we are looking for is in the heart, and I can help you get in touch with it. It is not the world that needs peace; it is people. When people in the world are at peace within, the world will be at peace.' I've had a wonderfully enjoyable time over 30 years from my association with Prem Rawat. The international recognition and acclaim he receives is wholly due, bringing him a string of honours and prestigious speaking engagements. In Rome last year he was welcomed before an audience of Italian parliament members by President Colombo, former president of the European parliament and former prime minister of Italy. Describing Prem Rawat's visit as singular in nature and exceptional in purpose, President Colombo said: 'There is one thing that public servants cannot do and that is to make people feel happy and at peace (Prem Rawat's) words provide an occasion for deep reflection and deserve to be heard because they are an invitation to explore and manifest the values residing within us, treasures very often ignored or neglected.' Prem Rawat's message is available in more than 88 countries and 70 languages, entirely supported by voluntary contributions and the sale of related materials. Additionally, the Prem Rawat Foundation undertakes humanitarian initiatives, including support to the world food programme and third world medical provision. In the UK, Elan Vital, a registered charity since 1993, continues to meet the stringent criteria set by the Charities Commission. Prem Rawat supports himself and his family through independent means. I can't decide whether Ms Hofton's attempt to weave a financial conspiracy theory from the fabric of a local art exhibition reveals a lack of imagination or an excess of it. More information can be found at http://www.tprf.org or at my website http://www.feeling4life.org.uk where you can see a full version of my exhibition.
From William Fox, 3 Bakers Court, Cemetery Road, Binstead:
Personal attacks: AS a relatively recent arrival on the Island, I wish to observe that over the last few months I have often been uneasy at the negativity extant in the articles of Charlotte Hofton and that today's effort (CP, 01-04-05) hits the bottom of the barrel. Let me make it absolutely clear that the following views are entirely my own, made as a free individual and as such I take full responsibility for them. The article is full of inaccuracies and spurious allegations, as well as containing unwarranted personal attacks on three people I consider friends. All three are sincere hardworking individuals who, on a daily basis in their professional lives, make a quiet but valuable contribution to life on the Island. As to the title maharaji, he is perfectly entitled to use this honorific, since he was born into an Indian royal family. Moreover, this gentleman's conduct, as befits one of his position and reputation, has always been unimpeachable and impeccable, which is, of course, why he has received a number of civic awards around the world, including the freedom of several large cities and why he continues to be invited to speak at such venues as the House of Parliament Conference Hall in Rome, where he addressed an audience of dignitaries, and the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona. From Ros Ffitch, 33 Seaview Road, Cowes. Different picture: For anyone who wishes to find out for themselves about Maharaji and his work, you might get a very different picture from the one painted by Charlotte's flippant sarcasm by by watching Words of Peace, a regular broadcast on Sky open access channel 262. It shows daily at 10 am, with additional broadcasts 8 pm Tuesdays and 9 pm weekends. From Fay Jackson, 49 Green Lane, Medham, Cowes: Simple mistake: HURRAH for Charlotte Hofton and her fascinating article last week on St Mary's exhibition of works by Dorri Jones. I feel some sympathy for Guy Eades in this matter: I suspect, like most of us, he does not have any particular knowledge of cult-like organisations and he therefore made a simple mistake in overlooking the connections of the Feeling4Life exhibition. It is an outrage that our otherwise excellent NHS hospital should endorse this Elan Vital organisation. Charlotte Hofton is absolutely right to make the point that an exhibition which amounts to the advertising of a cult should never be in such close proximity to people in a vulnerable condition. From Jim Heller, 7-547 Heral Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8W 1S5: Puff pieces: HATS off to Charlotte Hofton for her funny deflation of Prem Rawat's Maharaji cult and the empty double-speak of its followers. It's been decades since Rawat declared he was the lord of the universe and promised to save the world and decades since he has faced real journalists. Instead, he pays for puff pieces in the vanity press and rather transparently tries to whitewash his past. Ms Hofton caught the spirit of the evasion perfectly. Thanks for the laughs. |
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