For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Phone and Mahatma Gandhi

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. - 09404955338

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

Phone and Mahatma Gandhi

The telephone, referred to as a phone. It is a telecommunication device that transmits and human voice. Telephones are a communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other. It was developed in 1870 by Alexander Graham Bell. The word "telephone" has been adapted to many languages and is now recognized around the world. Mahatma Gandhi used it many times in his life. He suggested his associates for use, when it was necessary. “Mr. Gandhi immediately spoke to the General Manager over the ‘phone and explained to him how necessary it was for them to leave by the Cape Mail. The General Manager could not understand the Station Master’s objection and told Mr. Gandhi that he would make inquiries and then telephone the result to him. After an hour, a message was received saying that the Station Master had made a mistake and that there would be no difficulty in the deputation travelling by the Cape Mail.”1

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As soon as the date of the Deputation is fixed, I shall cable you and shall include a few words regarding Mr. Abdool Gani. I may, however, state that I made absolutely no such statement as was attributed to me by Mr. Murray. I did not tell him that the second bond should be lodged with the Bank: on the contrary, I told him that we should use the second bond for raising a loan. The whole conversation took place through the ‘phone. You may, therefore, assure Mr. Abdool Gani that there was no such binding statement made by me.”2 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The Lapins have written a nice letter in reply to my note. I enclose it for your perusal. I shall not now weary you with Heymann’s letter. I talked to him through the phone yesterday. He was quite good. Of course, I had written to him too.”3

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have sent the account with cheque to Heymann. He writes expressing satisfaction, and suggests that I should not allow Hilt’s arrears to accrue. I had occasion to talk to Lapin through the phone on Friday. I have therefore asked him to collect the rent from Hilt.”4 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I thank you for your note of the 3rd instant, and in view of my conversation with you regarding Mr. Polak, may I ask you to ‘phone to me as early as you can tomorrow, Saturday? I shall be practically up to half-past-two at my office, telephone No. 1635.”5 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I sent you a full message from Ingo go which I hope you received. Mr. Mahomed Meer is at Waschbank. He has the ‘phone. It was he who gave the information about the Ramsay Collieries assault. Please inquire further. You know that I telegraphed to the Protector at Durban and the Interior.2 You may now inquire further through Meer and if there be any workers, send one to make local investigation.”6

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am almost inclined, if the men can be somewhat disciplined, to march through Johannesburg and hold a meeting there. The merchants may give a feast to the men. You may discuss with Cachalia through the ‘phone. Hosken and others may be invited. Please tell Miss Schlesin that my proposed letter should be deferred till the march is over.”7 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I think that you should ring up Lady Cecilia1 and inquire whether she received the letters you sent. They must have missed her. There is no other explanation. In any case the least that you owe her is to inquire through the phone or walk over to them. I should do that most decidedly.”8 Mahatma Gandhi wrote “Read the telegram to Mahomed Ali over the phone and tell him to wire to the Mussalmans and then telegraph to the Secretary Mahomed Ali’s reply. Our reply to the telegram will depend on what Mahomed Ali says. Did you suggest send a wire to the Mussalmans?”9

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I reached home at 2 or 3 a.m. Sleep was out of the question, as I had to rise early and go to the jail to get the others released. I reached the jail at 7 a.m. The Superintendent had received the necessary orders on the ’phone, and he was waiting for me.”10 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You have, in the course of the last conversation that we had over the phone, told me, on behalf of the Council, something very startling and distressing. I can only hope that I have misunderstood your message. It sounded very much like a breaking up of the negotiations which His Excellency, you and I had believed, had almost reached their fruition. Surely there is nothing extraordinary in the amendments suggested herein as to lead to such a tragic end. I can therefore only hope that having come so near, it will not be said of us, no matter whose fault it was, we had come near only in order to separate. In-my opinion there is ample room for discussion and accommodation if we mean the same thing. If we do not, the sooner the agony of suspense ends the better.”11

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This is to confirm the phone message of Sjt. Jamnalalji to you that Sjt. Vinoba Bhave who was released today is to re-offer civil disobedience at Nalwadi on Monday the 14th instant at 6 p.m.”12 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Please renew the fixed deposit of this fund with you for a period of three years from the date of the expiry of the period of deposit. As per talk on the phone with you it will bear interest at 4% per annum, unless withdrawn before its due date. If it is withdrawn after one year, the rate will be 31/2 % and if after two years 31/2 %.”13 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Here everything is all right. Sardar was released, and I had a talk with him on the phone. I hope you did not find it difficult to decipher this letter. Do you mind its being in Hindi?”14

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “It may not be convincing to those who do not want to believe. But it is cent per cent true and it was more for Acharya Narendra Deo’s sake than for my wife’s, for I had heard on the phone that she was all right. But the news about Acharya Narendra Deo was disconcerting and Maulana Azad disengaged me very reluctantly.”15 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Pandit Kachru is a well-known public worker attached to the States People’s Conference. When Shri Jainarayan Vyas went on hunger-strike at Jodhpur, he was deputed by the President Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to proceed to Jodhpur and watch events and report to me. For reasons known to the authorities and unknown to Pandit Kachru he was served with an externment order on the 5th instant, at 11.40 p.m., to depart from Jodhpur the next morning by 7.15 a. m. train. He telephoned to me for instructions and Mahadev Desai who answered the phone advised him in the first instance to obey the order and report. He is now in Wardha trying to finish his report to the point he was able to reach in Jodhpur.”16

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “As the suspense is great, and as the life of the baby hangs in the balance, may I request an early decision? If the Bombay Government has not the power of decision in their hands, this letter may be kindly treated as addressed to the Government of India and the decision obtained through the phone.”17 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I enclose herewith for dispatch a letter1 addressed to the Government of India, but it need not be dispatched if the Government of Bombay can suo moto deal with the matters referred to therein. As the object is to obtain relief as promptly as possible, instructions from the Central Government, if necessary, may be obtained on the phone.”18 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “About the phone call. When you were informed that I was in the bathroom or busy otherwise it was really so. There was no thought of deceiving you. You must know that from 7.30 to 11.30 I am busy with my routine. The work I do during that time is all the work I am able to do. After that I have a nap. As a result I am ready to see visitors only at 2.30 p. m. This is my normal routine. Those who are with me while I am taking my food ask me a few things there and then. Bear in mind that the telephone in the house where I live is almost wholly for my use. You can ask me further in this connection.”19

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Sushila had an attack of dysentery. She had lost 4 lb. up to yesterday. She went to Bombay yesterday for the Sardar. There was a phone that she was still suffering. I do feel strongly that medical people should [not] suffer from avoidable complaints. Something wrong in a system that tolerates such evils.”20 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I thank you for your cordial note. I am so much fixed up and so embarrassingly besieged wherever I go that I dare not promise myself the pleasure of visiting the society you mention. But I shall certainly be pleased to see you for a few minutes at this place if you and Mrs. Barwell can conveniently come. There is not a moment left open till Monday, but I shall know more fully on Monday where I stand. Could you please phone on Tuesday next or send a messenger?”21

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