For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

E. W. Aryanayakam 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

E. W. Aryanayakam and Mahatma Gandhi

E. W. Aryanayakam was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He met in Shantiniketan first time. He had a deep knowledge in Indian Education. He came to Sevagram Ashram and did a lot of experiments in field of Nayee Talim. I have heard that you want to take in someone sent by Akbar but want the Ashram to pay for his upkeep. This is wrong and after I am gone the whole thing will close down. It must not be so. The first 14 years may pay in the end, but altogether in the end. But the adult education and the preparation of school masters should pay from the beginning, barring of course the expense of the permanent teaching staff. I can argue this out and prove it but I must not do so now. It will tax me unnecessarily. I hope that all those whom we have taken just now have been taken on that basis. If they have not, the matter requires re-thinking out. I have not allowed the mind to lie quite fallow all this month. 1 Read the letter from Barbara. If she herself wants to stay here, it will be good if the two of you go to Hoshangabad for a few days. I am of course here. If the two of you are keep indifferent health all the activities will suffer. 2

Dev’s studies will be completed in April. He asks me, since I shall be away then, what he is to do. If you let me have your opinion, I can give him definite advice. When is the meeting of the representatives of all the institutions? There is going to be one I suppose. I see from today’s telegram that if you do not go to Bombay the quorum will not be complete. Even so if you have work here, I shall not insist that you should leave it and go. 3 What is the harm if I arrange to get another room for Ramachandran in Rustam Bhavan itself? After all he is here for six months. Isn’t he? Pyarelal needs all the rooms. He has a lot of papers and books. 4

If you have read about the confusion prevailing in Travancore regarding education, let me have your opinion. Many people are writing to me that I must say something about it. I had not read anything till now, nor had I any [other] material. Now Shri Cherian Kopen has sent a letter and also a lot of literature with it. I have read it and if you have not and wish to read it, I can send it. I have sent a similar letter to Kumarappa. 5 You will learn of the conditions here from the newspapers. Today I want to write about the goshala. There is a great uproar and the trouble is twofold; they cannot run the goshala themselves nor will they let others do so. And you have such a fiery temper that you cannot get along with anyone. Now tell me what the fact is. You are all keeping well, I hope. I have no idea when if ever I shall be able to return. 6

I have written to Chimanlal to give Rs. 75,000 to Chi. Radhakisan for the goshala. My letter about the goshala must have reached you. 7 I have your two letters. You should find some time and improve your Hindustani and both the scripts. If Asha is not there you should take the help of others who know Hindustani. Why not Meetu’s help? I would like the Talimi Sangh to take up the work of the K. G. N. M. Trust as well. It may be said that I am running a risk here. It is for you, it is your duty, to see whether you can shoulder all the responsibility. The co-operation of all the institutions and people depends upon your tact and friendliness. I can but obtain it for you; it is for you to carry it through and to develop it. Do you understand what I am saying? Ask me if you don’t. You could even have written to me in Bengali. I understand what you say about Ramachandran. I am writing to him. 8

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