Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal

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Shrimad Rajchandra's Message
agony and the torment he felt at seeing the prevailing conditions are vividly evident from this letter.
Shrimad, whilst aware of the human suffering, was also concerned with the suffering of the livestock. Animals were dying in their hundreds. At that time, both cotton seed and hay were available in Rangoon (Myanmar) at affordable prices. He immediately drew up plans to relieve the suffering of these animals by arranging shiploads of both hay and cotton seeds to be shipped to ports in Mumbai and Saurashtra. Not only did he arrange the orders for these by shiploads, but he also arranged for the shipments to be executed with utmost speed to alleviate the suffering of animals. He ordered 500 tonnes of hay with specific instructions for unloading at specific ports. Shrimad worked out plans as to how to distribute the hay and the charges he would apply: “abandoned cattle were to be fed free of cost, cattle belonging to the poor would be fed at cost price or at a concessional rate, whilst the well-to-do cattle owners were to be supplied at the prevailing market price. In this way, the purchase cost could be recovered and at the same time a large number of cattle would be properly fed.” Initially, only two or three shiploads of hay were planned but the enormity of the disaster dawned upon the planners. At least twenty shiploads would be required. Rs. 7,000 had been raised from the public, and Shrimad offered to make up for the likely shortfall. He also suggested that the services of one person would be retained to ensure distribution was made as planned and carried out efficiently. He finished the letter: “Re-emphasising the need for urgency, the plan should be executed as early and as fast as possible. If any clarification is required, or if there is any doubt about the execution of the plan, instructions or clarifications should be sought via telegrams, as a large number of cattle are dying every day”. He