For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Messages of Mahatma Gandhi; Part-9

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338

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

Messages of Mahatma Gandhi; Part-9

Mahatma Gandhi a different man. He met a lot of persons daily. He had a lot of work and their concerning people. He gave a message everybody time to time. Those messages had a lot of meaning. The person who had gotten it, change his life according to it. Those messages may be useful today. We can solve many problems by help of them.

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to public meeting, Delhi; “The best way wherein his countrymen could respect his memory was to emulate the fearlessness and devotion of the late Mr. Abhyankar whose death was a sad thing for the country.”247

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Ahamadabad Mill-Worker; “Tell workers that they are weakening their cause and that of labour generally by illegitimate strike. Let them not tarnish the good name they have earned for themselves. I hope they will regain balance and resume work.”248 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to The Leader; “I have time only to wish success to the Silver Jubilee function. This is assured to you when Panditji1 is there not only to grace the celebration but even to lead the function.”249

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to The Bengal Provicial;”Having retired from the Congress you don’t expect me to attend the Conference. I hope, however, that you will have a successful session.”250 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to The Kisan Conference; “I am sorry I cannot attend the Conference. With Sardar in the chair, the success of the Conference is assured.”251 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message on Opening of Memorial to C.R. Das; “ I am sorry I cannot attend the function which is to take place on the 16th instant. I wish it every success. How nice it would be if those present would remember that the true memorial will be to weave into our own lives the virtues we prized most in Deshbandhu’s life.”252

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message on Italo-Abyssinian Crisis; “I can only pray and hope for peace.”253 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Hansa; “Hansa is a unique enterprise in the whole of India. A monthly of this kind is sorely needed if Hindi or Hindustani is to become the national language. Through the medium of the national language all should become acquainted with the current writings in all the provincial languages. It is very gratifying that whosoever desires can get this benefit at a cost of only half a rupee a month.”254 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message on birthday; “These spurts are no good, if one sleeps away the rest of the year; and now that we have a definite ideal in front of us, viz., the working towards a minimum wage for eight hours’ work, some of us must try to do eight hours’ spinning, either single or by several combining together, keeping a regular record of everyone’s spinning and every day’s spinning, so that one can arrive at a standard average spinning. I understand the depth of feeling behind your wishing many returns of my birthday. But as you know well, not a minute will be added by the Creator to the allotted span of my life, no matter what human effort is put forth. Nevertheless, while it lasts we shall always continue to pray and otherwise strive for one another’s good and longevity.”255

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Indian Immigrants of Suriname; “Pandit Bhavani Bhikh Mishra from the Dutch Guiana came to see me along with Shri Benarsidas Chaturvedi, and asked for a message for the Indian immigrant brethren of Suriname. All I have to say to you is to live in unity, taking care to lead a pure life by observing chastity of body, mind and speech. You should resort to Hindi-Hindustani to communicate with one another and open Hindi schools and libraries.”256 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Congress Jubilee Sammelan; “Happy at the thought that so many ex-Presidents are meeting. The President’s is the spirit of brotherly love. Hope it may augur well for the country.”257 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Bihar Political Conference; “Let no one have any anxiety for me. If anyone has anxiety, let him work ten times greater than I am doing now.”258

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Gurukul convocation; “While giving his blessings to the outgoing graduates, Sardar Patel at first read out a message from Mahatma Gandhi sent to the outgoing graduates in which he had asked them to lead a life of truth, purity and service and to never forget that the institution to which they were bidding farewell was founded by the late Swami Shraddhanand who died while serving the nation to his last breath.

The anniversary of the Gurukul concluded when a message from Mahatma Gandhi asking the public to give liberal donations to the Gurukul was read out by Sardar Patel. In that message, Mahatmaji had expected everybody present there to fill the coffers of the Gurukul which was run by contributions from the public.”259 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Manjula M. Mehta; “Return with greater purity, kindness, health and self-restraint. I have great expectations of you both. May you prove Doctor’s true heirs.”260 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Rajputana Harijan; “Hinduism is on trial today. Those alone can become true sevaks who have faith in dharma and who have love for Harijans and are prepared to dedicate themselves to the service of Harijans.”261

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message “Every Hindu organization can easily do the following five things:

1. Root out untouchability, treating it as a sin.

2. Take up the service of the cow, which at present suffers from slackness due to ignorance, and pursue it with intelli-gence.

3. Serve Daridranarayana to the extent possible by adopting khadi.

4. Serve the villagers by buying the goods produced by them.

5. Do away with such bonds of caste as are destructive of dharma.”262

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to “The Editor of Indian Opinion asks me to send a message for the Diwali number of the paper. How can there be any Diwali festival of lampsfor one who has a Holi an all consuming fire burning in his heart? How can one celebrate Diwali when one’s ears are filled with the sighs of the millions of the living dead in this country? All I can think of saying to the readers of Indian Opinion is this: Celebrate Diwali by all means, but don’t forget the skeletons in India. Set apart a share for them first.”263

Mahatma Gandhi gave a message World Peace Congress; “to no Indian can help sympathizing with peace effort going on in western countries.”264 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Amrit Kaur; “Tell her she must be content with a letter from you, at least for two or three days. Also tell her my prophecy about the thermos was correct; it is broken, and that she has now to replace it.”265 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to Mill-Owners and Labour; “The Mahatma says he is surrounded by two typhoid fever patients, nevertheless he is prepared to give two hours on October 21. He has to depart for Benares on 22nd if the patients are well enough.”266 Mahatma Gandhi gave a message to the All India Women’s Conference; “ I have grown old but will give a message still, if you need one from me. I can only say that until women establish their womanhood, the progress of India in all directions is impossible. When woman whom we call abala becomes sabala, all those who are helpless will become powerful.”267

References:

247.The Hindustan Times, 5-1-1935

248.The Hindustan Times, 1-2-1935

249.The Leader, 12-3-1935

250.Amrita Bazar Patrika, 24-4-1935

251.The Bombay Chronicle, 21-4-1935

252.Amrita Bazar Patrika, 18-6-1935

253.The Hindustan Times, 2-8-1935

254.MESSAGE TO HANSA;August 5, 1935

255.Harijan, 12-10-1935

256.MESSAGE TO INDIAN IMMIGRANTS OF SURINAME; October 11, 1935

257.The Bombay Chronicle, 29-12-1935