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On the 1960s

Professor Gerard De Groot’s portrayal of the 1960s as the decade of hate is unconvincing and far-fetched (“1960s a decade of hate, says Professor,” May 7). The post-war tumult settled during the decade and new and astute ideas came up. Those eventful years heralded an innovative and expressive youth culture which was manifest in myriad forms such as song, dance and protest. Berkeley sit-ins, Paris demonstrations, Naxalbari, Sartre, Marcuse, Lohia, the Beatles, Che Guevara, the Rolling Stones, the hippie movement, Vietnam, the DMK, O.P. Nayyar — the list that made the decade the most exciting is endless. Idealism was very much in the air, the public’s engagement with the pressing issues was complete and the citizenry was not as avaricious as it is now.

The 1960s augured well for the Indian republic as three great Prime Ministers presided over its destiny. Imperialism was at its defensive best and hope often overrode despair. Those who experienced the nuances of the 1960s would frown at the proposition that the decade saw enormous violence.

K. Sekhar,

Visakhapatnam

As one of the few Indians who witnessed and participated in the heady events of that era, I can categorically say Professor DeGroot’s opinion gives a wrong picture of those times. Western students and the young certainly rallied against the vicious barbarity of the American-imposed Vietnam War and the injustice of racism at home. But the overarching mood was one of love for humanity.

A classic instance was the spontaneous convergence of 100,000 people in Washington to protest against the war and use of force by the National Guard in Kent State University, which resulted in the death of four students. I was part of the demonstration and I was amazed to see how friendly the people were even towards the police.

On that hot summer’s day, hundreds took off their clothes and bathed in the fountain in front of the Lincoln Memorial. And when we left, all the rubbish had been carefully cleared out.

Vithal Rajan,

Hyderabad

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On the 1960s

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