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From: paturi@harvard.ARPA (Ramamohan Paturi)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india
Subject: Re: dowry
Message-ID: <420@harvard.ARPA>
Date: Sun, 13-Oct-85 14:01:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: harvard.420
Posted: Sun Oct 13 14:01:15 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Oct-85 05:16:55 EDT
References: <3110@ut-sally.UUCP> <344@mordred>
Distribution: net
Organization: Aiken Computation Laboratory, Harvard
Lines: 17

I agree with Bala Krishnamurthy regarding his views on dowry. 
It is very easy to rationalize that it is OK to take  dowry in 
certain circumstances. If one faces oneself honestly, deception will 
stare at him. It needs courage to accept that dowry in whatever form
is exploitation of the oppressed and demeaning to oneself.

Probably, one has to have a better sense of security, before one can shed 
one's dehumanizing values and acquire more humane values. One feels the 
threat of alienation from one's "social group" when one takes
a stand which is in apparent opposition to the values of the social group.
It is time for us (Indians) to grow out of the childish dependence on one's
social group for security. Probably, this kind of dependence may have
been more nurturing several thousands of years ago. But, it is now necessary
for everyone to think for themselves and adopt a better set of values.

-Ramamohan Paturi
paturi@harvard.HARVARD.EDU