A Reflection from Carlos González Vallés for Marta Díez

By Carlos Valles

We all wear a mask, Marta, and it is a good thing that you describe and make several, even if it is only to find out which one you yourself are wearing. What is important is being able to take it off at least every once in a while, so as to be able to look at ourselves in the looking-glass and be reminded of who we really are. I have seen your masks, which indeed have much to teach us. The most dangerous mask is the one that a face may turn into when hiding real feelings behind perfunctory grimaces. A short biography of the author The government of Guyarat bestows several literary prizes every year on the best book in each of several categories: novel, history, biography, poetry, essay and so on. The prize for essays was awarded to me for five years in a row. Even more important to me was the fact of being awarded the Ranyitrám Gold Medal in 1978, as this is the topmost prize for Guayaratí literature and culture and it was presented to a foreigner for the first and so far the only time. That domestic pilgrimage took me to Hindu, Jainist, Parsi, Muslim and Christian homes, which acquainted me fairly deeply and very nearly as an insider, and one having observed from various viewpoints, with ways of thinking, behaviours, beliefs and traditions. This won recognition in the official acknowledgements of my work that I most value In 1995, in New Delhi, I was awarded the “ACHARYA KAKASAHEB KALELKAR AWARD FOR UNIVERSAL HARMONY” and in 1997 the “RAMAKRISHNA JAIDAYAL HARMONY AWARD” for my life and work towards mutual understanding and unity between peoples of different languages, cultures and religions. This is what I want to continue doing. Fortunately this development was coincidental with my retirement from the University Mathematics Department, which rendered me free to travel; this I have been doing so far, first to Guyaratí communities in East Africa, from Kenya to South Africa, and then to Europe, the United States and Canada, and through Latin America from Mexico to Chile. The fact that I am of Spanish descent and identify with India while at the same time loving Latin America, makes me humbly acknowledge the blessing that in the East is called “living three lives in one”.

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Carlos González Vallés. Spanish Jesuit Priest, Winner of a Gold Medal Award in Gujarati language.