Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

Page 161

The Open Court
The Open Court
THLY Dette e t
he பாயாக மயான
THE DEATH OF MR. VIRCHAND R. GANDHI. To the Editor of The Open Court:
I wish to reach the many friends of Mr. Virchand R. Gandhi, with the an nouncement of his death on the 7th of August, 1901, at Mabuwar near Bombay India, from hemorrhage of the lungs.
At the age of twenty-eight, Mr. Gandhi came to America as Delegate to the Parliament of Religions, representing the Jain sect of India, and was the guest of Dr. Barrows. After the Parliament, he was the guest for over a year of Mr. and Mrs. Chas, Howard of Chicago, during which time he visited Washington, Boston, New York City, and other points East, lecturing
Mr. Gandhi made a second visit to America in 1895, by request of friends, bringing his family with him. He divided his time between the East and the West, lecturing and bolding classes. His philosophy was pure, his morality high, and
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be showed a wide tolerance of things religious. His daily life was constant ex ample of one living the Christelike life in the Hindu faith. Every one wbo came into familiar contact with Mr. Gandhi, learned to love the ever sell sacrificing. gentle, and sympathetic Oriental
Mr. Gandhi had spent considerable of bis own private means in his work in America, as the income from his lecturing was not sufficient to defray all expenses. He, therefore, changed his plan of life and decided to finish the Barrister Course in London where he spent most of the past four years, completing his task in June with honors. His constitstion was not adapted to the northern climate and his London physicians advised him to return home months before he took the examination but he held out to the end, reaching his native country only in time to leave the physical body in India
Mr. Gandhi had his little son with him in London where he personally superintended his education. The little lad came into my home al the age of seven and attended the Normal School here until he went to his father in London two years ago. He is very bright and, in many ways, an extraordinary child.
I wish to add that a letter from Mr. MagRonial Dulputram of Bombay informs me that Mr. Gandhi's wife, bis aged mother and the lad, Moban, are all left in destitute circumstances,
I have taken it upon myself to write to the Jain Society of India, asking them to take charge of the wife and mother, while the Countess Wachmeister and myself are making efforts to raise money amongst the friends of Mr. Gandbi in America to educate the little son in the Hindu Boys' College at Benares so as to be near his mother, after which he can take his University course which the Countess will provide for either in America or Europe.
I am endeavoring to reach the friends of Mr. Gandhi so far as I know them, all of whom, I feel assured, will deem it a privilege
to contribute something towards the education VICHAND R. GANDA
of the little son. Mr. Alexander Fullerton, 46
Fifth Ave., New York City. Professor Richardson, Manager of the Hindu Boys' College, Benares, and the undersigned are acting as treasurers for the purpose. Mr. Robert Burnette, Mr. Davitt D, Chidister, President of the T. S. in Philadelphia, Judge Waterman of Chicago, Mrs. Geo Cady of Cleveland, and several of Mr. Gandhi's friends in Chicago and Washington, DC., have contributed
Sincerely Yours,
Mes Catas. HOWARD CHICAGO, ILL. 6558 Stewart Boulevard.
Courtesy : Pankaz Hingarh