For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Chandra Tyagi 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

Chandra Tyagi and Mahatma Gandhi

Chandra Tyagi was belonging from Uttar Pradesh. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi performed his constructive programme activities with the help of him. He guided him through his letters and got the performance through it. I wanted to talk to you at night but you were not there. At 10 I entered upon my silence. What do you wish to do? If nothing worries you here and you find you are at peace, you should propagate what you believe in and thereby serve the country. You can go to the Ashram whenever you wish. Nowadays I do not stay there. I do not know, therefore, if you would like to go there. You can also write to me any time you wish. 1 It does not matter if you omit to give a stamped receipt when the party agrees. There should be no rudeness that is all. 2 For some time now don’t fuss about the Chandrayana vow. I am happy to learn that you have arrived at the Ashram. What work have you taken up? 3 It is better to die rather than ever to forsake truth. 4

Enquire from Pandit Devsharmaji regarding Balbir and the climate. If coconut is not available sesame or linseed oil may be used. I am keeping good health. 5 I was very pleased to have your letter. Take milk if the weakness does not go despite a regular diet. Try cooked cereals before you do that. Don’t be obstinate. I was sorry to learn of the conditions in Gurukul. Is Abhayji aware of them? What was Ramdevji’s reply? Baldev may well learn carpentry. Write to him, he should learn to construct charkha, loom, takli, etc. Who is the principal in Vrindavan Gurukul? Tell Premrajji to write to me how all things are. What is going on there? 6

Why does not Balbir write to me? He should let me know his wishes. He could certainly go to the Ashram if he really wants to. Who is now the Principal of Prem Mahavidyalaya? Why has Devasharmaji been transferred to Kanpur [jail]? Write out your ideas on fasting and other subjects. We shall see about their publication later on. Give in detail your daily routine. 7 I was glad to get your letter and gladder still to learn that you are nursing the plague patients. I am not taking milk these days. Here I can do with bread, almonds, dates, vegetables and lemons. My views are the same as before. I am awaiting a letter from Devsharmaji. My right hand pains only when writing, but it has been like this for one year and there is nothing special. Balvir’s handwriting is good. Has he got rid of his former faults? Mahadev is with me. This card is in his hand. 8 You did well to start taking milk. The Harijan work is proceeding nicely. Have no worry. Where is Balvir? 9

I spend almost the whole day under the sky and in the sun. The finger is all right. My diet consists of milk, dates, oranges and, when available, papaya. Mirabehn is in the Bombay jail. The observance of physical as well as mental brahmacharya is made possible by keeping both body and mind under control. Chhaganlal Joshi too is with me. We are all doing well. 10 Besides the Gita it would be good to read the Ramayana too. Faith coupled with knowledge sharpens the intellect which then meekly follows faith. The letter about Mirabehn was extremely sweet. Mirabehn is touring in the West these days for propaganda work. She will be back by the end of October. In karmayoga one worships only God and that too through the service of His subjects. One who remains awake during the best part of the night is entitled to sleep during the day. It will do if you can spin good yarn of count 20. I shall try to do something about Rajkishori. At present I am confining myself to Wardha. If you wish you can come to me in January. I have no programme fixed till then. Ba is at Sabarmati these days with Ramdas who is unwell. Prabhavati, Amtussalaam, Vasumati and Umiya are with me, also Mahadev, Pyarelal, Raj and Prithuraj. Amina is living in her husband’s village these days. My diet consists of milk, fruit and a boiled vegetable. It is good to eat papaw when available. I am keeping well. Jamnalalji is in Bombay at present having undergone a mastoid operation. He may come back in October. 11

Your letter gave me much pleasure. If possible you should come here with Raj Kishori. Only after meeting her can I suggest the right course. You must be keeping well. I am glad to learn that you find Balbir satisfactory. 12 I require from you an account of your work. I have detained Rajkishori here because they were not interested in their marriage. Neither was desirous of living with the other. The brother did not care. I placed a stiff condition before them and they cheerfully agreed to it. It seemed unfair to let you bear the burden of her care and also extract work from you. This was the reason for my detaining Rajkishori here. Her work is going on smoothly. She is inexperienced but a simple girl. Her health is good. 13 Rajkishori is doing well. Do you not know weaving? If that is so, you should learn it as quickly as possible. It is much easier than spinning. You must be well versed at least in ginning and carding and what about the new method with the takli? If you do not know that too, you ought to learn it. 14

Your letter is frightening. I have sent it on to Jyotiprasadji. You will know how to deal with him, only be firm. 15 Rajkishori is going there. Nothing much the matter but she was herself somewhat worried. Her temperature often rises up to 990 F. Even otherwise she intended to go there on a visit. She has taken permission to be away for a month. She is such a nice girl that we all like her. We find her simple, innocent and pure. She is leaving but with an assurance of writing to me every now and then. You should encourage her to keep this promise. Write to me often how you are faring. 16 I marvel at your Urdu handwriting. Milk should not be given up though sweets and ghee can be dispensed with. 17

A son must feel the sting of his father’s death but it should not be taken too much to heart for we all have to go the same way one day or the other. Why grieve over what comes inevitably with one’s birth itself? One should grieve, if at all, over one’s birth. I thought Rajkishori was not required to go there. We are poor and we wish to live like the poor. Why then should we spend needless railway fare? Am I wrong in thinking thus or have you changed your opinion? Anyway, on my part there will be no restriction on Rajkishori, she can leave whenever she is so inclined. 18 I cannot read the whole of your letter. It is sad news that Balvir has contracted tuberculosis. How is he now? 19

Your letter has been lying in front of me for many days but I could not attend to it till now. You have given me good news about Balvir. I cannot send for him as I am striving hard to live a village life. I do not have enough accommodation in this village nor do I want to add to the family here. I have now neither the strength nor the inclination to do what I could do in places like Sabarmati, etc. My aspiration of leading a village life can be realized only if I maintain a limited family. God alone knows the future, assuming that the thread of my life is to stretch farther. Rajkishori seems to have completely forgotten me. She does not even write to me. What does she do? How much does she spend? 20

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