For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Radha Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

E-mail- dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net;

dr.yogendragandhi@gmail.com

Mailing Address- C- 29, Swaraj Nagar, Panki, Kanpur- 208020, Uttar Pradesh, India

Radha Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi

Radha Gandhi was daughter of Maganlal Gandhi. He was one of the famous managers of Sabarmati Ashram. His daughter lived with him. She was taking part in every activities of Ashram. She was very humble. Mahatma Gandhi loved her very much. He had written many letter of guiding her after the death of his father. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I got your postcard as well as the papers sent with Kesu. I write this letter on the train. I am glad that you find the place congenial. Ahmadabad water causes constipation. Both of you sisters move about freely as much as you like. I hope to return from Delhi on Friday. Devdas, Pyarelal and Mahadev, all three, are with me.” 1 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You must have heard the news of my 21 days’ fast. No one there should worry. It is but proper for one to suffer any hardships that may come to one while discharging one’s duty; one’s friends should be happy about it. I hope you have now recovered completely. You should let me know what you read, what you eat, how much you walk, whether you can spin or not, etc. Let me knows also what Rukhi is reading, how she is keeping. I have to stay here for the present at any rate. Let everyone there read this.” 2

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Remember all that I have told you. Take great care of your health, and love everyone. Rukhi is improving, but there is bleeding whenever she tries to walk. The doctor has examined her. You need not worry about anything on the side. Tell Durga also to write, and see that she does.” 3 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I understand your condition from your letters to me and to others which they give me to read. Everybody will feel reassured if you keep on writing like this. I have received letters from Bhai Ramnandan also in which he says he will take proper care of you. There is a letter from Brij Kishore Babu from Patna, in which also he says that he will go to your village and arrange everything. You have to show courage. You should not, therefore, be disheartened by difficulties but should overcome them with patience and bear those that cannot be overcome. Do let me know of even the smallest difficulty. You must not lose heart. One of the purposes in sending you out is that you should have some experience of the world and be tested by it. We may also in this way have a measure of our strength and weakness. In this vast land of ours there are countless ways of living and all kinds of hardships. We have to live in the midst of all this and reform things wherever there is scope for reform; look at the thing in this light. Nothing is decided as yet about my going to England.” 4

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Nowadays I have to carry on my work mostly by dictating letters, because, if I must take rest and also attend to business, I have to dictate letters while taking meals or while spinning. How did you happen to have an attack of fever? It does not matter if Manu has left. When Santok comes, tell her to write to me in details. I wish to solve the problem of Umiya as early as possible. It would be very good if she improves her Gujarati a little more. Write to her about it from time to time. How is Rukmini’s health? Whenever you two sisters get an opportunity for service, you should acquit yourselves well and cultivate the utmost humility.” 5 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Mithubehn told me that you were eager to work with her. She intends to entrust you with a responsible task. If you really wish to work with her, I will not dissuade you. But Khurshedbehn also told me that you wished to work with her. If you gave her your word first you should work with her.” 6 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your letter must be in the post which I have not received. If you have not written to me any letter, write to me one giving all the news. Where is Rukhi? How is she?” 7

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I got your letter written in a hand as neat as print. I wish I could write like that. Don’t think that one can never practice truth as I have defined it. Write to me and tell me, if you know, about Rukmini’s mental condition. I had completely forgotten about the poems. After you have read and fully understood Gray’s Elegy, Horatius and the Psalms of David, I may suggest other poems. The three are different kinds of works and are among the best. You will be able to understand them.” 8 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “A good book too can be a revered guru. But God is the only true guru. When we learn to feel His presence in our heart, we shall have met the revered guru whom we seek. I had heard about Hari-ichchha’s betrothal. But it is from you that I hear about her wedding. To who was she married, and how many persons attended the wedding? If Hari-ichchha is there, ask her to write to me. What is there to be shy about? What is the age of the husband? What is he? If you don’t know all this, inquire and tell me. Rukhi is being tried well. Are you all right now?” 9 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As Premkuvar is involved in great difficulties, there is little possibility of her going there. Hence, are you, mother and daughter only there? Who does the shopping, etc.? It does not seem that any of the male members are there. Looking to the conveniences of that place, there may not be any need of them. How much do you spend? Have you kept any account? It there pipe water? Is there any news about Rupi again? It seems that you have made good progress.” 10

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “My post has now become irregular. Don’t be surprised if it stops entirely. I am trying to settle this matter. I hope rain has no bad effect upon your health. I have received a letter from Santok today in which she says that she is going to Kashi. I have also received a letter from Rukhi. She is now all right. She has seen Devdas. Devdas was not keeping good health, but he is well now. Tell Premkuvar that I do not remember to have received a letter from her. If I received it, I would have written to her in reply.” 11 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “During this fast I have decided not to worry about outside affairs, but I will certainly continue to inquire after the health of those who are sick.” 12

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I plead guilty. I remain so busy that sometimes I forget the dear ones like you and leave them without [letters]. I remember you all but writing letters to you continue to be postponed on and on. I am content to know that you are all happy and find pleasure in your own respective fields. I would only hope you served as much as you can and bless you for a long life. Whether I write or not I do like your writing to me. I see your face always before me. I am all right. Ba is here. Ramdas and his wife are also here. Devdas is in jail.” 13 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Krishnadas gave me news about you. There was a letter to Brijkrishnadas from the lady-superintendent of your institution saying that you were having fever with temperature at 100º and have lost ten lb., that you can eat only once a day and felt no appetite in the evening. You occasionally write me a postcard, but it is always practically blank. I think it would be better if, instead, you didn’t write at all. You should understand that, if they say dharma should be practiced with proper regard for one’s health, while studying also one should take proper care of one’s health. Even if you were to stand first in the examination, what good would it do if, in the bargain, you were to become bed-ridden? Why don’t you study so as not to endanger your health? Can you not prepare for the same examination in Rajkot? Sushila would certainly help you. You will get there facility for studying all the subjects which you are studying now. The air and water of Rajkot have also agreed with you. Krishnadas says that you have also not been able to make any friend there. If all this is true, you should write to me so that I might write more. If you are afraid that somebody might read your letters, you should mark them ‘Private,. Nobody would then read them.” 14

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have the New Year day letters from both of you and was glad to read them. May the New Year bring you happiness and prosperity? Ba is here. Devdas recovered recently from his illness. He will come over here for rest. Ramdas is in Bombay, doing nothing there. One cannot quite say that he has settled down. Manu and Kanti are here. Manu is betrothed to Surendra, Kishorelalbhai nephew.” 15 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It is all right that you sent a telegram. I am sorry to know that Santok is not well. I was expecting you all.” 16 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are quite modest. Can we say that now you have settled down in Rajkot? Manilal and Sushila are at Akola. Their son Arun is with me. I shall send your postcard to Manilal. I hope all of you are all right. You must do some work of service.” 17

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