For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Kanu Gandhi and his Grand Uncle

Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, M.S.

Contact No. 09404955338

Kanu Gandhi was son of Narandas and Jamuna Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi was his grand uncle. He lived with Mahatma Gandhi in his various ashrams. He was a member of Gandhiji’s personal staff. He worked with him until last days of Mahatma Gandhi. Since 1936 he was presented a camera and permitted to take photographs of Mahatma Gandhi himself. Gandhi allowed to him take photographs in any situation on the condition that no flash would be used and he would not give pose for it. He was only one person allowed to take his grand uncle’s photographs at any time. So he captured Mahatma Gandhi in all his moods and moment. He had taken part in Indian struggle for freedom. At 15, he was in jailed for participating in the non-co-operation movement. Mahatma Gandhi wrote many letters to him. He guided him in every aspect of life.

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him, ‘How foolish you are! When you first suspected that I was displeased with you, you could have had your doubt resolved immediately. In the instances which you have cited, there was no question at all of my being displeased. I take work from you that is hard enough, and that as exactingly as I can, because I am pleased with you. I am not at all angry with you. If I were, I would say so immediately and not hide the fact from you. You have, therefore, no cause to feel unhappy or disheartened.

You need not believe that you will never be able to learn English. And even if you cannot, why should you give way to despair? Is there anything else to make you feel despondent? You need not hide anything from me. I am fully satisfied with you. You have given me no cause to feel dissatisfied. You need not, therefore, leave and go away somewhere else. After this, do you want any explanation about the instances which upset you?’1

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again ‘Once again you have been hasty in coming to a conclusion. All my work and accounts which require to be looked after are here. There will be nobody whose luggage will have to be looked after. Who will see the daily mail? And who will keep the daily accounts? Neither of you is needed just to make additions and subtractions. I shall have hardly any luggage with me. I don’t need to take anybody just to do typing. There will be nothing at all to be typed. If, therefore, you are not very eager to accompany me, both of you should remain behind and look after the normal work here. You should plan some study and make a few tools. Some of course will have to be purchased. Do you understand?’2

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again ‘Please understand that I was very eager to take you with me but I had to restrain my desire. I have no doubt that it is for the best. But there is no doubt, either, that you are wanting to accompany me. I hope everything is going on all right. Take as much interest in prayers as you can. Kanu must learn the chapters of the Gita by heart.’3

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again ‘I got your letter. I am glad that you are studying the Gita systematically. If you master the Margopadeshika well, you will become proficient in grammar, and that will help you in learning the correct pronunciations and also aid your memory. If you use every minute well, you will learn a great deal. I hope you keep everything clean. What happened about the third quern that had arrived? What was done about cleaning the damaged parts? I hope the mangoes and other gifts which were received have also been entered in the register.’4

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again ‘Only half the work has been done. As you spoke to me of seven annas I mentioned the same amount to Govind. He promptly gave me four annas and will be giving the three now. I shall send the money there. Debit it to the expense account and credit it on getting it from there. Ramjilal may take his meals there as he pays for his board. Never mind the Flit tin. I shall enter it into the accounts here. You may change the time for the recitation of the Ramayana though we shall revert to the existing practice after I come. it is good to have accounts which suit the convenience of all. Send the pair of tongs which was set apart exclusively for my use, as also the griddle, and the saucepan if they have come back after welding. They get Marathi newspapers there; please send one or two of them. I should now have a red pen.’5

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again ‘I need my takli box, which has not come. The letter to Narandas contains a reference to you. If I am correct, write so to him; write to me also whether it is correct. I enclose the text of a telegram1. Please dispatch it immediately. The letters to be posted are there as usual. Today you have to bear the whole burden single-handed! Won’t you shoulder the work by yourself when it comes to you some day for good? Won’t you prove equal to it?’6

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I am sending six letters with this. Keep copies of the letters to Jugalkishore and Gangabehn. The rest may be posted straight away. Make a copy of the letter to Satyanand Bose also. In this way you are getting closer to Mahadev’s place.’7

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Tell Chhotelal to send me two vessels each big enough to hold five to seven seers of milk. They should preferably be tin-coated brass ones. Zinc vessels will do if they are cheaper. Send me some mustard oil.’8

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Of all your fellow-students you alone seem to have remained firm so far. I believe that you have thereby lost nothing whatever. May God grant you the strength to remain firm forever? May you live long.’9?

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Send me the takli and some books, such as the Ramayana, lying there. I don’t find Meghaduta, etc., and the small pencil, too, in the luggage. These are not things one should have to search for. When Lilavati comes here she should bring no box, but only useful clothes and other things. If there are any woolens among my clothes there, I want them.’10

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I got your letter written during the journey. I understand the state of your mind. I am not going to bind you in any way. You may think over the matter afresh and do as you think proper. Bhansalibhai1 has resumed coming here from yesterday. He has resumed taking milk since yesterday. Walking does not tire him. The wound has not yet completely healed. Mirabehn left yesterday for a hill-station.’11

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘It seems you have taken the account book by mistake. I suppose the information as to the amounts given by different people will be there in that book. If so, please send the book to Mahadev by registered post. Or send a note showing the amounts credited into the accounts of the persons concerned.’12

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I got your letter. I will wait for you after the time limit you have fixed. A sister from Madras had come here the day before yesterday and left the same day. Pyarelal says that you know her. Her name is Soundaram. She had also brought her vina, which was worth Rs. 150. The chief reason of its high value was its decoration. Without the decoration it would be worth only Rs. 80. But what I like most was her mastery in playing on the vina. She sang, too, to the accompaniment of the vina. Her voice is sweet. During all that time I remembered you. She said she would come again some other time. You have not followed my questions about book-keeping. That only means that you have not understood the technical terms of bookkeeping.

So to that extent you probably do not know book-keeping. Show that letter to Narandas. If he does not understand my terms, then I will have to admit that I do not know the technical language of book-keeping and, therefore, could not use it correctly. Narandas knows book-keeping thoroughly well. I learnt just enough of it for my legal practice, with my own effort, and it is possible, therefore, that I do not know the technical terms as well as an expert in book-keeping. In short, what I had asked from you was a summary or ‘abstract as it is called in English, of the different accounts in the ledger. If neither the register nor the abstracts are available here, we cannot know what the credit or debit balances are in the different accounts. And such occasions are bound to arise when it becomes necessary to know the figures. Do complete the accounts. While you are there, try to perfect your knowledge of book-keeping. Similarly you may increase your knowledge of music as much as you wish to. You are doing well in planning to go to Chorwad a little earlier.

Amtul Salaam’s amount has been received. I see that you go to bed at 11. I consider it too late. Everybody should form the habit of going to bed by 10. But you should of course follow the convenience of others there.’13

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘If it is necessary for you to cook your meals there, you may certainly do so. However, if you can arrange your programme as before, that will not be necessary. In any case don’t be careless about food. We will talk further when you go over here. Learn typing as quickly as possible.’14

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I hurt you in the morning, didn’t I? But did you realize or not that there was love behind my anger? I could not bear even that mistake on your part which I knew you would make. It is a good sign. I want to see you perfect. If you have patience, you will certainly become so. Are you not Narandas’s son? Emulate his patience and faith. You should never yield to despair.’15

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Your birthday note is lying in front of me. May you rise higher every day and grow stronger in body and mind. May your angularities get smoothed out in the course of time.’16?

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I do not have the courage to take you along. I am leaving behind Sushilabehn. Get well soon. Afterwards if you wish you may go to Rajkot to regain your strength. For getting the tonsils removed you will have to go to Bombay. I hope to return on Thursday. Is that all right?’17

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Radhabehn gave me the news about you. Wasn’t it good that she was present? Did you suffer much? Do not be impatient. Till yesterday Ashadevi, with the dilruba1, led the recitations from the Ramayana and the bhajans .She left today, for about ten days. We may, therefore, miss her in the evening. If Krishna holds the tanpura we shall be able to carry on. Su.behn leads the morning recitations from the Gita and the bhajans.’18

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘You are certainly lazy in the matter of writing letters. You know that at present I would expect letters from you. There has been nothing from Radha, either, after two letters from her. Don’t you think you have been hasty in resuming the use of your throat? If we consult a doctor and if his instructions are not contrary to dharma, we should follow them. Now write to me in detail. Can you use your throat for all purposes? Do you find any difficulty in talking or singing? Remember that if there is scarcity of water, etc., it is the duty of all those who are not needed there to leave the place. I did not remember this; otherwise perhaps I would have dissuaded you from going to Rajkot. Now keep this in mind while you are there. Inquire about Manjula1 and find out how she is.’19

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘If the elders are likely to be pained by your coming away so soon and if you feel like it you may stay on for some time. But then what about the water scarcity? Won’t you have to stop both eating and drinking water? Water is required even for cooking. If you don’t eat at all, an additional advantage will be that Narandas will be able to contribute to famine relief!’20

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Start giving Valjibhai a massage from today at 9 or 9.30. The massage should be given gently to the whole body. As to the degree of force ask him. Pay more attention to the abdomen, apart from the chest and the back. Measure his chest. Teach him pranayama.’21

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘The bicycle incident yesterday was not a happy one. A carpenter will always keep his tools ready for use. A typist will keep his typewriter in good repair and a rider will keep his horse in good stead. Similarly a bicycle should always be kept clean, oiled and ready for use. Otherwise don’t have a bicycle at all. I cannot tolerate an accident caused by carelessness on your part. Such things are included in ahimsa.’22

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘If you are insisting that you will eat bread in the morning only on condition that others also get it, you should give up such fussing. You need bread, others do not. Everyone may eat what he needs. If you have still any doubt, ask me.’23

‘After the prayer I am writing a few letters. This is one of them. I do not want to do anything at this end for the present. We are getting ready to leave. I have read all your letters. The last was that of yesterday. I notice that you wanted to join me on my tours. That was my wish too. But I had to forbear. As my stay was to be a prolonged one I did not call you. That would not have been proper. I had engaged you for a particular work. It seems you have not been very successful at it. You will tell me about it when we meet. If you have to go to Rajkot again, do go. But finish Narandas’s work first. If there is anything you wish to say, it will be only after that and then I would like you to accompany me on my tour. Is it possible that the king1 of the monkeys is not wanted? Convey my blessings to the sage and his wife.’24

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I am glad to know that you are going to Vinoba. Learn Sanskrit well and of course Urdu also. Don’t spoil your health by trying to go too fast.’25

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I got your letter. I like my new occupation which is going fairly well. I am keeping good health. Abha1 has been a good girl these days; she remains cheerful. Rajkumari is expected to arrive today. Sushila Nayyar is in Quetta. She will come when I return from Delhi. Abha will write you a long letter. I am writing this in the midst of a great rush of work. No one can take your place and to that extent I should miss you; but I refrain from entertaining such a feeling.’26

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Abha remains cheerful these days, she is keeping a diary and also doing her Urdu. And she is of course immersed in my service and finds pleasure in it. I have asked her to write, to you also, and she does. Don’t hesitate to write, if you want anything to be conveyed to her. May your work be worthy of you, and may you always have a sturdy physique, and may you deserve the title of Hanuman ever more.’27

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘Abha has slight fever today. Of course, Dinshaw who is available is treating her. She is not worried on her account, nor is there any cause for worry. My letter3 of last Monday addressed to the campers has, I hope, reached you. All I can think about today is whether all of you are fully observing truth and non-violence. Are you enthusiastic about all that you do, and is it done with humility?’28

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I have your letter. Your handwriting is bad. Can’t you at all write your Gujarati characters? It is not good that you have no interest in spinning. If you read some literature on the subject you will come to feel that you may not neglect his dharma. I am glad that you clean the latrines and do other scavenging work. What you read? God alone knows when I shall be able to get away from here. No one else does. I hope you are well.’29

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I have your postcard. I was pleased. You are learning a great deal from Bhansalibhai2 and Vinoba. Keep up the progress. I am very glad that you also take part in the Ashram work now and observe the rules. It will soon be decided now when I shall be leaving Delhi. If I go to Panchgani come there. When will you learn the Gujarati script? If you but make up your mind, you will be able to learn it.’30

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I have your letter. You are doing good work. Why do you not do spinning? You ask me to send you the list of books. When you read the books available on the khadi science you will learn many new words, you will learn Gujarati and Hindi technical terms and you will also learn how much meaning is contained in khadi. Show this letter to Vinoba and Bhansali and listen to what they say about khadi and ponder over it. We should voluntarily and strictly follow the rules of an institution where we go, whether as guests or inmates. That is what discipline means. The term for displine in Gujarati and Hindi is shista, which however does not convey the full meaning of the English word. Work done without discipline even if it is on a massive scale, is washed away. The way the planets go round the sun is discipline. If any planet, out of mischief, were to start going faster or rush too near to the sun, it would not only burn up but would destroy the whole solar system. From this you may estimate the value of discipline.

It is certainly good that the Chimur people1 have been released. They deserved to be released. But to command all that they did would amount to commending violence. It would mean that we accepted it. Now that they have all been released, uncle Bhansali should understand this and make our Chimur friends understand.’

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I have your letter. I was very glad that you wrote in the Gujarati script. Make it a regular habit. There is room for improvement in your hand-writing. It is, of course, better than your Devangari. But you must improve in this respect as you improve in knowledge. When the writing is heavy, it comes out on the other side and therefore you cannot write on both sides. You have given me plenty of news in your letter. Continue to write thus. I hope to reach Sevagram in the first week of August. My plan to go to Panchgani has been upset. I hope nevertheless to pay a flying visit there.’32

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I saw this letter among the papers I have taken up after prayers. You have asked me to send a telegram about the photographer. Your letter is dated April 25. Manu did tell me something about it. After coming here I have just taken up the pending papers. I am able to attend to your letter only today, and so, I am not sending you a telegram. I am not so enthusiastic about the photographer. But I do not wish to disappoint you; hence, I leave it to you. People have built roads with their own labour and, if the Government does not pay those wages, I don’t think there is anything wrong if as an exception we pay. For, they would have certainly expected payment in this case. But we cannot create a precedent like that.

I did not like it because it was contrary to what I had decided. Both of you had accepted it, too. But I consider. a mere child, and hence, if she cannot bear the life there, she should not be forced to live there. But you alone can decide about it. I can only say that you have my permission. And . . . ought to improve her health. How is she going to serve, if she does not improve her health? I shall probably leave here on the 24th for Delhi. Manu has been operated upon for appendicitis. You must have known it already. She is still in the hospital. She is all right. It is terribly hot here. During these months it is bound to be hot everywhere in India except on the hills. I have so far not found the heat unbearable.’33

‘Though I am here, my heart is in Noakhali. See that none of you leaves his or her post of duty. If any of you dies, I will dance with joy.’34

‘I certainly wanted you to have Narandas’s entire letter. But this is an apt instance of how even one’s simple wishes are not fulfilled. As is my wont, when this morning I enquired whether the whole letter was sent to you I learnt that Bisen had not sent the part pertaining to the Trust. He acted in good faith but if he had clearly understood his dharma he would not have erred. If he had asked me at the time he was attending to it so much time would have been saved. Have you grown weak? Even if you have not, if you are tired of the place1 you can quit. If I can get away from here or am able to do something for Bihar take it that I shall soon be there. If I have written the same thing to you yesterday, let this be for a second time. There have been no such fixed stages in my life. I spent 20 years instead of one in South Africa. In Bihar I spent the whole year instead of four days. And how long I had to stay in Rajkot. Abha is all right.’35

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘The enclosed letter is for you to see. Also the copy of my reply, Give me detailed news about your health. Abha is all right. The doctors say that hers is not a deep rooted malady; Manu’s is. At present both of them are taking rest.’36

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘If you read the newspapers you would have known that I have stayed on in this place, and am now in a Muslim’s house in a Muslim locality. It is a palatial building. We are all under Rama’s care and we have to live as He wills. I shall not know till the last moment when I shall leave this place. I write all this just because I am pleased with your letter. I have sent the relevant portion from it for publication in Harijan. Abha is fine. However, I will not say that she is completely all right. Amritlal is here.’37

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I have your letter. I have today sent a wire to you and Amtussalaam through Satis Babu. I like your idea. But we are not in Wardha. We will have to seek permission from Chittagong. We can go there only if we have the permission. I have no idea how things are there. I don’t know them when I am destined to reach there. Hence, although your idea is excellent, I don’t see how it can be implemented. You have asked for a bag like Nirmal Babu’s. Luckily an American friend has sent one. If you are keen on having it I shall give it to you. But you can make one like it out of khadi. Does the American product have anything special about it?

I began the letter yesterday. But I am so very busy meeting people that I hardly get time to write or even dictate letters. Hence I could complete this only after the morning prayers. I might have to make a sudden dash to Delhi or to the Punjab. I might not therefore be able to come to you. Even then let things go according to your idea. It is not possible to write more.’38

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘winter has now begun in right earnest here. We have an electric heater for the night. I got your letter and the enclosed copy of your suggestions. I read them as carefully as I should. I like your suggestions. The entire department should become self-supporting. That will be the true test of its genuineness. True, we are faced with the question of the real meaning of ‘self-supporting’, and then there is always such a thing as self-deception. Four or five of you may come over if you can. I should like it.

But even then it would still be doubtful if I can give an impartial verdict. I need to see things for I and it can be only if I were personally present in Noakhali. It remains to be seen whether such an occasion will come in my present life. Hence I leave it to each one of you to choose to come here or not to come. Whoever wants to, may come. You keep on worrying on Abha’s account. Rid yourself of this anxiety if you can. You can always ask her to go to you. Jamna wants to see both of you merely because of her attachment. But that does not affect me. Give the enclosed1 to Amtussalaam to read. I have written in Gujarati so that I may do it quickly.’39

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I see from your letters that you are not only steadily improving your handwriting but are also becoming mature in your thinking. Continue to grow in wisdom in the same way as you grow in age.’40

Mahatma Gandhi wrote him again, ‘I talk at length with Abha and thus save time by omitting to write to you. On the whole I like your letters. There is scope for a few improvements which can come in course of time. About your coming, I have for the time being left the decision to you. And that seems to be the only right thing to do. Right now I don’t feel that you must come over, but when you do, you will be coming in your own right. This is what I have told Abha. And this I think will lead to her development. Also she will be of the maximum use to you. I am writing a postcard because I think it will reach you the earliest. I understand you eat nothing but uncooked food. I wish that you should not undertake this experiment. Your body is like that of Hanuman; if you ruin it you will be liable to punishment. The body is the true temple for God to dwell in. Bear this in mind when you make use of your body. Don’t shrink from writing to me. My leaving this place is not definite. Perhaps I may visit Wardha for twelve days.’41

1. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; April 7, 1935

2. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; April 18, 1935

3. LETTER TO KANTI AND KANU GANDHI; May 23, 1935

4. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; May 27, 1935

5.LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; July 4, 1936

6. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; July 10, 1936

7. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; July 30, 1936

8. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; August 9/10, 1936

9. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; October 28, 1936

10. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; November 4, 1936

11. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; June 15, 1937

12. LETTER TO KANU GANDHI; June 17, 1937