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this town were happy and contended. Of course, the society was then in the shackles of the then prevelent customs and superstitious beliefs. Shri Raghavjibhai Gandhi, the father of the hero of this biography was, however, a social reformer and a religious man at the same time. He had given up, for all his life 'Suchitta' items. He would drink only boiled water. However, he had given up the improper custom of weeping loudly and beating of breasts at a death. His business was in pearls, but he stuck to complete honesty in that business. His whole life was religion oriented. In the house of such a person of impeccable character Shri Virchandbhai was born on 25th August, 1864. His mother's name was Manbai. EDUCATION
Vinobaji once asked Pandit Sukhlalji, What is the greatest joy of your life?'
Sukhlalji replied, 'Teaching a deserving pupil.
It is a matter of joy for a student to study under a competent teacher, deserving respect. It is equally a matter of joy for a teacher to get a deserving pupil. Such a pupil possesses a real thirst for knowledge. The intense thirst for knowledge together with his keen memory were instrumental in the success of Virchandbhai through the years of primary education. On one hand, he went to the regular school for practical knowledge and on the other hand he regularly attended the Pathshala for religious training. He also used to go to Upashraya to listen to religious discourses. In those days, primary education was considered adequate for most boys. As there was only a primary school in Mahuva, that was where education seemed to end. But this shortcoming of the town and of the era was not acceptable to Raghavjibhai. He could envisage the changing times and
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