Prabuddha Jivan 2015 11

SR No.: 526088
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dhanvant Shah
Publisher: Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 44
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Prabuddha Jivan, & India
File Size: 2 MB

Page 40

PRABUDDH JEEVAN
NOVEMBER 2015
GANDHI KATHA
Gujarati : UMASHANKAR JOSHI
English Tran. : DIVYA JOSHI
A NEW SERIES OF HIGHLY TOUCHING AND INSPIRING REMINISCENCES OF GANDHIJI'S LIFE
In 1922, Gandhiji was sentenced to six years im- Bapu : Am I just alone? Can I wear it just myself?' prisonment by the British Government. He told in the Pupil : 'Of course, you should not wear it alone. How court that I am ready for the highest possible many people you want it for?' punishement. What is a crime according to the Gov- Bapu : 'Well, I have some forty crore of siblings. ernment is nothing else but only my duty towards hu- Will your mother stitch for all of them? In fact, only theremanity. I have just acted accordingly.
after I can take my own turn.' The news of Gandhiji's statement and the penalty The little child was now really puzzled. The Innohe demanded, reached all corners of the country. On cent kid wanted to offer a cloth to Bapu with a deep hearing the news, a Muslim watchman residing in a affection, but Bapu intiated his tender heart into a remote village of Bengal wept. A revolutionary named universal vision, to view the entire world as one famShri Datt, who lived in his building asked the reason of ily. his crying.
xxx The watchman had the Bengali newspaper in his Despite so many heavy engagements, Bapu used hand, in which the news of Gandhiji's case had ap- to go for a daily walk without fail for an hour in the mornpeared. He told Datt that a person of my own caste ing. He even expressed his dislike, though respecthas been severly punished. It is six years of jail, he is fully, towards his political Guru Gopalkrishna Gokhale. an old man of 53 years, see this paper.
who did not go for a walk and who generally kept an It was mantioned in the newspaper that, Gandhiji indifferent health. described his job as a weaver and farmer. The Muslim When he went out for his walks from the Ashram, watchman was a weaver by caste. He was deeply many people often accompanied him. If someone would touched therefore, that someone of his own has been want to meet and specially talk to him, Gandhiji would punished.
sometimes give an appointment of early morning and Shri Datt writes in his reminiscences, 'How do we while walking he would also talk to them. call ourselves revolutionary? It is only Gandhiji who is Of course, children had always the first right on Bapu a revolutionry in a true sense and not us. He has be- and he would even playfully prank with them. Once, a come one with the whole nation. Gandhiji's utterance mischievous child asked Bapu, 'Bapu, can I ask one as weaver and farmer must have reached throughtout thing?' Bapu said yes, so he just came forward and the nation. Crores of people must have felt as if some- looking at him asked, 'Does Ahimsa mean not to hurt one of their own has been jailed. Only he, who has anybody?' He had asked the question in a serious tone. established the contact with the masses, having iden- Bapu said, Correct. tified with them, can free the nation. I sincerely bow to the child soon grabbed the chance and asked: this true relolutionary.'
Then, when you pinch us on our cheeks laughhingly, xxx
would that be called Himsa (violence) or Ahimsa (nonOnce, on observing Bapu without any kurta, a young violence)? pupil asked, Bapu, why are you not wearing any kurta Bapu said : Wait, you naughty boy !' And Bapu on your self ?'
caught up with him and pinched him hard. Then all chilBapu stated, 'where do I have any money for that? dren started laughing, and all clapped with shout "Hey,
To this the pupil asked, "Alright, I will tell my mother look we irritated Bapu ? We peeved Bapu! to stitch one for you. Then, you will wear it, isn't it? But, in all that laughter, the one which was heard
Bapu : But how many will your mother stitch?' loudest was that of Bapu. Pupil : 'How many do you want? One...two...three...?'
(To be continued)