AOW

     In West Virginia’s Palace of Gold Rahul Mehta describes his past confusion with West Virginia’s Hare Krishna: an Indian religious group that established a new community, New Vrindaban, and created a vibrant part of India among the Appalachian mountains.  Mehta describes his memories of taking trips with his family to the Taj Mahal of America and even though many admired its beauty, Rahul found it to be strange and contradictory.  Though he always dreaded these trips as a child, he came to understand the opportunity it gave South Asians to pray and worship in a respectable place.
      Rahul Mehta is an opinion contributor for the New York Times.  He is the author of a short story collection called Quarantine.
     The context of this piece is  in response to the  recent death of Swami Bhaktipada who led the Hare Krishna commune and was “one of the movement’s earliest and most controversial American disciples” (1).  In 1990, Bhaktipada served eight years in prison for charges on murder for hire and racketeering and in response,  New Vrindaban lost much of its appeal.  However recently, New Vrindaban has started working towards its former glory.
      Though as a child, Mahta desired to assimilate and not participate in the Hare Krishna commune, today he no longer feels a distinction between his Indian and American culture. Mahta’s purpose was to explain how significant New Vrindaban has been to many Indians living in America and that he understands the importance of developing such places.
     Readers of the New York Times and people interested in how cultures thrive and grow in America are the intended audience.
     Mahta highlights irony in his piece. The irony of Americans modeling themselves off of their Indian neighbors: wearing saris, speaking in Sanskrit and participating in the culture and religion. The irony of his cousin, living in India, and belonging to the Hare Krishna movement that originated in the States.  He also uses parallel structure. He reflects back on a gold leaf that covered the palace.  Mehta and his brother would look all over the ground for a flake of forgotten gold to pocket; it was the only enjoyed part of the dreaded trip.  On a larger scale, his parents often felt lonely and isolated in a new country and New Vrindaba was a place that “made them feel rich.” (2).
     The author did accomplish his purpose.  By reflecting back upon his own childhood to today he showed a change of opinion.  Because he no longer defines himself by one culture, he is able to respect and appreciate the way he grew up and how he lives today.    


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/opinion/west-virginias-hare-krishna-commune.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=rahul%20mehta&st=Search