For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Dr. M. S. Kelkar and Mahatma Gandhi

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, 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

Dr. M. S. Kelkar and Mahatma Gandhi

Dr. M. S. Kelkar was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He had done a several experiment of naturopathy in guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. He find out some mediations and method for it. I really must not publish your letter. The foolish questions were published because they came from a hostile party and I think I have turned the folly to good account. You have not understood the psychology of my statement about December. Such must be my feeling today. There is no danger of Civil Disobedience being postponed now. I should be delighted if you succeed in waking up the Jalgaon weavers. 1 I think the money was paid to the Committee for swadeshi only. I do wish you will get the expert appointed and set about working soon. Please show this to Mr. Dastane. I note what you say about the preacher. I am on my way to Bombay for a day. 2

Though I do not propose to trouble you to come over here, I would like you definitely, if you can, to write out what you will have me do, and I shall incorporate as many of your suggestions as it is possible for me. I cannot get distilled water in Nandi. I know that it can be made by oneself. But I have not got the proper tubes and utensils for it here. When I go down to Bangalore, I shall see whether I can procure distilled water. As it is, I take raw milk diluted with boiling water. This seems to agree with me better. I am taking 30 ounces of raw milk and about two ounces of whole-meal flour turned into bhakhari to which is added a little butter, soda and salt. I take also one vegetable well boiled and added to it a tea-spoonful of fresh butter from goat’s milk. I add to the morning milk the juice of 10 full-grown leaves of neem tree. I sleep well and I do about four hours’ dictation daily, one hour’s writing and at least one hour’s reading. This is fair amount of work for a patient who is convalescing. In addition to this, I have half an hour’s fairly brisk walk in the morning and half an hour in the evening. And I retire at 9 in the night and get up at 4 in the morning. Of course the morning and the evening prayers are there. I do also deep-breathing morning and evening. I sleep about an hour and half during the day with an earth bandage on the head. Now you may make any suggestions you like. Now about yourself. I am really most anxious to help you. But, in spite of all the goodwill in the world, I have not been able to enthuse over your treatment. I think it is wrong to say that all the patients I placed at your disposal were those who had passed through many doctors and had almost been given up. You had Prabhudas, you had his grandfather, you had Gomatibehn, you had Navin, and many others whose names I can recall if I tax my memory. Your insistence upon eggs and your great partiality for astrology are two serious drawbacks. I respect your insistence upon eggs. But they don’t suit my religious sense. I respect also your partiality for astrology. But I cannot get rid of my scepticism about it. Therefore I can only make a limited use of your attainments. I wonder whether you have studied the use of asanas as part of treatment of disease. My attention has been recently drawn to them. But as you have a fair knowledge of physiology, I would like you, in the light of that knowledge, to examine the claims made on behalf of the various asanas. Have you also studied the newest researches made about vitamins? 3

Your letters are always interesting and instructive. Do I gather that you would prefer my giving up wheat-meal or oatmeal, salt, soda and vegetables altogether and confine myself to milk, water and fruit? Am I right in thinking that you consider raw milk better than boiled milk? Yes, I well remember your talk about sterile eggs and their culture. I shall enquire here myself; but if you have any literature on the subject, I would like to study it. Without further consideration I am prepared to say that I would put sterile eggs, as you have described them to be, under the same category as milk. I am therefore open to receive further instruction about them and their culture. You must someday try to convince me about the value of astrology; for, I do not deny the possibility of its being a true science. But I do not regard the investigation and use of every science as beneficial to mankind. 4

I see that mental distance between you and me is really growing. I can sympathize neither your salic sic in astrology nor in black magic. They may both be substantial sciences; but they are sciences which I think we should avoid. As a matter of fact I do not attach so much value to things pertaining to the body as the wish to exhaust every available means for sustaining the body or for keeping it in order as it has only a very limited importance in the scheme of life. I apply also equally limited means and therefore continually exclude those means which may seem to me to be of doubtful moral value. So then, if I err at all, I shall err on the right side. Excess care of the body and explorations into astrology and what not—for the sake of that caretaking means going further away from his Maker, and seems like putting the shadow before the substance. I would not trouble you to travel with me. Doctors here consider that 150 is normal blood-pressure for me and they have no misgivings whatsoever about my being able to resume moderate touring next month. I am certainly getting daily stronger physically. 5

Of course when I refer to the increase of distance between us, it will only mean the distance in our methods of thinking, never in feeling. My regard for you cannot possibly be diminished no matter however much I may differ from you and your viewpoint. Of course I know that you are as much a seeker after Truth as I am. My impression is that you have your conclusions on very inadequate data, and to found a science upon your astrological observations, on what is now termed as black magic, you require overwhelming evidence of an absolutely unimpeachable character. So far as I know from discussions with you, I do not think you have such data for claiming finality about your conclusions or even to warrant preliminary inference. Do you not think that we have got to be far more exacting about things which men equally earnest as we have rejected after trial? Are you prepared for a fee to go to Dhulia and treat two patients, husband and wife? And, if you are, please tell me what you would charge? The husband is suffering from habitual constipation and it seems to me to be a case for fasting. About the wife’s disease I have no sufficient knowledge. 6

I thank you for your kind and thoughtful warning. I am simply going by the advice of the doctor here who constantly examines me. He is in charge of the Victoria Hospital and is reputed to be very clever and very careful. However, I am taking the tour in easy stages. But I quite agree with you that if I could bury myself in some seaside place, it would be better. However, your letter puts me further on my guard. I shall watch myself and not hesitate to still further restrain myself, if necessary. I am keeping in touch with Uttam Chand, and I know that he is making fair progress and so also Kakasaheb. Their recovery will certainly be directly traceable to your treatment, and I am so glad that Gangabehn is also making steady progress. 6 We must agree to differ about temples. People are allowed freely to see me only when they have real untouchability matters to discuss. To meet you in connection with my health special permission has to be obtained. This is quite unnecessary. I am being well looked after and am rapidly regaining strength. 7

Will you put down as briefly as you can the reasons for you’re asking patients under milk treatment to drink as much water as milk you prescribe for them? I hope your experiment is prospering there. 8 I have already told you that Satavalekar’s letters were destroyed by me because I was not interested in them. You are unnecessarily harsh on Satavlekar. He has nothing personal against you. After all, you went to Aundh because of his interest in you. You can’t help a man forming honest opinions although they may be baseless. I would, therefore, advise you strongly to dismiss the matter from your mind and simply concentrate on proving your fitness for the job you have undertaken. Ramdas had lost weight terribly. I have put him on unfertilized eggs obtained from Coimbatore. Do you know where I can get unfertilized eggs without difficulty? I have some addresses in Ahmadabad and Poona. If there is a nearer place that you know, I would like to get them from that place, I return the correspondence with the Chief of Aundh. 9

If you know the comparison between milk and eggs, I would like you to inform me about it. When you administer eggs, what is the mode? If I remember right, in the case of Manu you used to dilute the contents of raw eggs with water. What is the effect of eggs on the system? Are they too heating, and what is the quantity? I am afraid the Harijan Sevak Sangh would not donate Rs. 500 to you. The paragraph about Satavlekar does not carry weight. Has he any reason for damaging you? 10 What shall I say to you? I would love to have you by me and yet with all your belief in stars, I have no faith in your treatment. Your belief, too, that I gained by your treatment is not quite correct. After all your effort, I had at last to undergo an operation. You treated many patients in Sabarmati but except little Manu who had raw eggs, nobody derived any permanent relief. You have been trying all these many years to settle down to solid work but you still remain a rolling stone. I very much fear that you are self-deluded. It is high time you recognized your limitations. I know you have talent and energy. It grieves me to find it running to waste. 11

You are a rolling-stone ever since I have known you. That I like you notwithstanding is a different thing altogether. Your milk and distilled water treatment I have tried how long? But I was not cured. You have been to Aundh and you had all the facilities. You could not stick there. What will you do now by coming here? You say your treatment is expensive. How can you serve villages? I have asthma cases, others, and I have a consumptive. If you still want to try your hand come and see. It is very hot here just now. I am likely to be away in April. If you would stay here in heat and try, come and stay as soon as you like. There is a fair quantity of milk here. I shall pay you 3rd class fare on your coming here. No return fare if you feel disappointed. You might, if you prove your worth, get one or two cottages for your hospital work. But you have to carve your way for all this, i. e., prove your worth to the people round you. I shall inquire about your manuscript. 12

Never mind Aundh. I have wired you to come at once as I am in Bombay in April. I hope to present you with some patients. Give me satisfaction; the rest will follow as day follows night. 13 I wish you success in your handling of cases. Keep yourself well. I heard about your fever. “Physician heals you”. 14 You are right. It is perhaps shameful on my part to exile myself for three months for coolness’ sake. My consolation is that they have all driven me out. But very little temptation will hurt me back to Sevagram. You should convert the people there to your view. I did try not for me but for Ba and others. You try his remedy and treat him and others. I won’t desert you. 15

Please let me know how much food and distilled water would cost per leper. Why not remove the cases to be treated to Dattapur? That would be the least costly. And you and I would know what success would attend your effort. Whatever you do should be done with the Manager’s consent and approval. Shastriji himself will perhaps be the most willing patient if you will experiment upon him. As to Balkrishna, Dr. Sushila says, his heart is not weak and he has no T. B. now. All he needs is proper digestion and good food. The latter he has. He has gained much weight through the vaid’s treatment. Nevertheless you may talk to him and he can write to me what he would like to do. 6 What about Chimanlal himself? 16 Why are you so stingy about your paper? I like economy but dislike stinginess. You crowd in your words. You must leave some space at the top and on the sides. Dr. Sushila Nayar says Hiralakshmi had no pleurisy. Her disease is simply T. B. It is a great pity if the distilling machine has gone bad. I hope it is capable of being repaired. What about your own? What will be the cost of a new one? Dr. S. says it can be simply done by the mechanic in the Ashram. Why must you continue to write to me in English? If you cannot write in Hindustani, you may write in Marathi. If you have leisure you should concentrate on the other patients. Balwant Singh has better use for his time than learning English. He can have all he needs about vet from Marathi Literature. 17

One can stay for a month in the Birla Dharmashala. I can’t say anything about Wardha. In Sevagram a hut can be built. I will be more than happy, if Hari-ichchha is cured. Arrangements for ice can be made. The leper has to be kept somewhere in the village. It is difficult to keep him in the Ashram. My advice is that in this connection you should do whatever Manohar says. He has devoted his whole life to this work and therefore we must have his permission. 18 I love your Hindustani. You should go on writing like this. Leave space at the top and enough margins. Choose the leprosy patients [for your treatment] and keep them somewhere in Sevagram. I shall manage the expense for both milk and ice needed for that. A big thing would be accomplished if Hari-ichchha gets well after some time. Try to learn the art of making ice in Sevagram When wills your equipment for making distilled water come? Balkrishna’s to the Vaidya. 19

It is good. Everyone says, one must take leafy vegetables and fruit. You say, no. Please let me have your reasons. Don’t you take those things? Is milk alone sufficient diet? You can certainly cook separately. I on my part want to give you two rooms for your patients. As I am away you may take those from the Secretary. If you can cure any patients I refer to you, I shall be very happy and can then fix your monthly salary. Make use of whatever utensil is necessary for distilled water. Such water will be of use to us. Do treat Balkrishna if he himself consults you. His condition has remained unchanged by Dr. Sushila’s treatment. I am constantly worrying about Hari-ichchha. My faith in you will greatly increase if you can cure her. I have answered all the questions, haven’t I? Write to me if anything has been left out. 20

How nice it will be if Hari-ichchha recovers completely. The entire credit will go to you. More than that, flowers will be showered on you from above. 21 I see from your letter that you think it would be good if I took only milk. I tried that too but lost weight immediately. I consider it a crime to take fruit, or leafy vegetables or anything just for the taste. However, if one finds taste in what one ought to eat, I won’t reject it For the present things are being discussed purely from the medical point of view. I have seen no book recommending giving up of leafy vegetables and fruit. It will be a great gain if what you say is true. It will be a great thing if Hari-ichchha is cured. I hear that you have started Balkrishna’s treatment. May you be successful? 22 Balkrishna is not satisfied. Dev has borrowed a little from you. For the rest he is carrying on his own. Hoshiaribehn too is not wholly satisfied. I merely caution you. A doctor who finds fault with his patient is not a doctor at all. I shall be very happy if Hari-ichchha gets well. 23

You are taking great pains over Hari-ichchha. But I am not satisfied. She is not improving. In the end what is destined will happen. I cannot bring myself to have faith in astrology. Millions of people who do not believe in it lose nothing. 24 Chi. Hari-ichchha has taken malati. Where do you get it from? I will pay the expenses if her father does not pay. Life and death are not in anyone’s hands. How can I therefore complain against you? I do realize the value of your services. I want to be sure of your knowledge. Do what you can. 25 I was under the impression that I had answered you. Stop taking the bicycle from here. By all means stay in Nalwadi. Go to Dattapur from there on foot. You will have to come here only occasionally. How much per month should I give you?! Ask for as little as possible. I am certainly here till the 19th. 26

Would not your having to take quinine indicate that there was something lacking in your treatment? Do take Rs. 25 per month and improve your health. My only point is that if you spend the entire sum of Rs. 25 on food and improve your health, but then have a relapse and are again obliged to take quinine, what would once have to say of your treatment? I do not doubt your goodness but I have the gravest doubts concerning your treatment. That I may be wrong is a different thing. 27 Yours of the 22nd arrived today. About the bicycle it is difficult. If some friend sends you one you may take it. You can charge to the Ashram the expense you have mentioned on the two patients. The decision you have taken to go to Akola now is right. 28

To say nothing of deciding to open a nature cure clinic, I have not even considered it. I have been wishing to open one for years but it has merely been a wish. Your views are such that you cannot work in any institution. It is a different thing that a man like me may get work from you. There should be a separate institution for you. But I know that it is never going to come. So let things go on as they are and let us all do what work of service we can. I see no other way. 29

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