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APPENDIX 5 Some Special Traits Of Shri Virchand Gandhi
It is necessary to take notice of some important traits of Shri Virchand Gandhi.
Firstly, he was a good scholar of Sanskrit. That was why he could dip into the Indian Philosophies, and that was why he could confidently reply to Christain propagandist about the truth of Indian philosophy.
Secondly, he used to read carefully, writings about Indian philosophy of scholars of Germany and other European countries. He would also make use of such writings in his speeches. That was why his lectures were considered unbiased and authentic.
Thirdly, he came into contact with Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji was then in Bombay, studying the Indian law on the one hand and experimenting on food-habits on the other. At that time, as Gandhiji mentions in his Autobiography (Pat 2, Chapter 3, P. 93), Virchandbhai had joined Gandhiji in some of the food-experiments. Had Gandhiji not mentioned this, we would never have known about the personal relationship of the two Gandhis of Saurashtra.
Lastly, we must mention the adventurous spirit of Shri Virchand Gandhi and his prophesy. In those days, he said in a meeting of the citizens of America:
'Today, India is under the heel of a foreign ruler. She is free only in religious matters. However, when India becomes independent she would not attack any country with arms'. Can't we say that an echo of this prophesy was heard in Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement?
Pandit Sukhlalji Sanghvi
24-12-69 (Gandhi centenary year)
94
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