________________
186
THE FAMILY AND THE NATION
Robben Island where Nelson Mandela had been imprisoned for twenty-six years in a very small cell, and the other scene was that of his house. Acharya: Tell me what you felt when you were in Robben Island? Kalam: In Robben Island the freedom of individuals was chained. I met Ahmed Kathrada there who was a coprisoner with Nelson Mandela. What surprised me was the smallness of the room where the six-foot tall Nelson Mandela was kept for twenty-six years. He used to be taken for quarrying to the nearby mountain under the harsh sun, which damaged his eyesight. In spite of sustained torture, he revealed to the world his indomitable spirit. It is during this time that he evolved a manuscript of freedom in tiny letters every day, when the jail wardens went to sleep. This small tiny-lettered manuscript finally became the famous book of Mandela, A Long Walk to Freedom. Acharya: What was the other event? Kalam: When I entered Nelson Mandela's house, his cheerfulness struck me. When I was leaving his house, he came to the portico to give me a send-off, and as he walked he discarded his walking stick and made me his support. While walking, I asked him, 'Dr Mandela, can you please tell me about the pioneers of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa?' He responded spontaneously, "Of course. One of the greatest pioneers of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement was M.K. Gandhi. India gave us M.K. Gandhi, and we gave you back Mahatma Gandhi after two decades. Mahatma Gandhi was an apostle of non-violence.' Acharya: M.K. Gandhi arrived in South Africa and returned to India as Mahatma Gandhi! It is indeed a
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
