For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Mahatma Gandhi, Part-I

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09415777229, 094055338

E-mail- dr.yogendragandhi@gmail.com;dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Mahatma Gandhi, Part-I

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was one of the close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. She belongs to royal family of Kapurthala state. She influences by Gandhi and his philosophy. She participated in salt Satyagraha and quite India movement. She worked for female education and upliftment for harijans. She was president of All India Village Industries Association. After Independent she became health minister of India. Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I thank you for your letter enclosing cheque for £ 54-4-3 for the Bihar earthquake relief on behalf of the Indian Medical Association of Great Britain. I am forwarding it to Rajendrababu with instructions to send an acknowledgment to Dr. Bhandari. I know your concern about me. God will take care of me so long as He wants to use me as His instrument. I had hoped that we would meet in Lahore. We must, some day somewhere.”1 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have never forgotten the commission you gave me about writing out my thoughts on non-violence for Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. But there has been no time left for me to do the work and I do not know whether I shall ever get the time for it. I can only promise to bear the commission in mind.”2

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am grateful to you for the delicious apples and raisins you sent me through Deenabandhu C. F. Andrews.”3 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You were quite right in writing to me as you have done. It may be most difficult to give two hours to the artist friend. But I shall see what is possible. I look forward to your sending me a copy of the photograph of Charlie Andrews’s head. The rumour you have heard is correct. I am trying to retire from the Congress. But that does not mean a life of quiet for me. Indeed I do not know what is to happen to me after the Congress session is over. But I should love to undertake the mission you would like me to. I do not know what is expected of such a mission. As you know, I took up, among several other things, women because also when I began public life. And my love for that service has persisted throughout all these 45 years. I would like you to sketch for me what you would have me do, and if I feel up to it and have the opportunity, you may depend upon my taking up the mission.”4

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am trying to form the Executive Board of the All-India Village Industries Association. It is to be a compact board of very few members. If you are sufficiently interested in it and would work on it, I would love to put your name on the Board. Kindly wire your decision. I would like you to say yes, if you have no insuperable objection.”5 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I regret to know that you were in frail health. I want a band of persons who would devote themselves and their time purely to the work, move about and would go to the villages and try progressively to supply their own needs through the villages unlike as we do now. I see that I must not expect these things from you and must therefore deny myself the privilege of your close association. Nevertheless, I will avail myself of your offer to do whatever you can in the Punjab. Do you keep yourself in touch with what is being written in the pages of Harijan? If you do not, please let me know and I shall see that you are supplied with copies. I fear I shall not be in Karachi at the time of your conference. I shall however hope that having come all the way from London Dr. Maude Royden will not leave without seeing me but I wish you could come with her.”6

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have gone through your draft proposal for the training of social service workers. I am inclined to think that the District Boards cannot open the centers you contemplate without the permission of the Government. But that is a legal point on which I cannot write with any confidence. I have, however, a deeper objection to your scheme. District Boards as they are constituted in India have no interest in things of permanent value such as you have proposed. Their very constitution perhaps disables them for taking such interest. What you contemplate is pioneer work. It is essentially meant for reformers. Therefore it has got to be taken up by private agencies, and when they make of such training centers a success, the thing becomes easy for District Boards and the like to take up. If I have understood your object correctly, you want to rejuvenate the villages. The trend is in the opposite direction. Hence neither District Boards nor the Government as such will handle the thing in the manner you and I would have them do. I wish we could meet early.”7

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I do hope that your meeting in Karachi will be a full success and that the sisters assembled there will rise above the petty quarrels of men by setting the example of refusing to divide themselves into various groups. Surely religions are not made to set up quarrels among ourselves. I hope too that the meeting will give full support to the activities of the newly-formed Village Industries Association. It is essentially women’s work. Let it not be said of the city women that they cared not for their millions of sisters living in the 700,000 villages.”8 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I read your draft resolutions only last night. They were received at noon. I like the first. The last I like the least. I hope you duly received my letter containing my message and a letter to Dr. Maude. You must not overstrain yourself. I take it the Colonel accompanies you wherever you go. He should receive the reply by now.”9

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I must dictate if I am to write to you at all today. You must not overwork yourself. You must give yourself proper rest and build up your body to the extent it is possible. As a confirmed believer in the natural mode of living, I think that we can rebuild shattered bodies by conforming to the laws of nature. Very often I have known persons who have succeeded in getting better where medical assistance has failed. This is no reflection on the doctor brother. I hope you got copies of the A.I.V.I.A. constitution and have sent in your form to Kumarappa. I would like the Raizada to convince me that it is proper for ourselves to prosecute poor Harijans for breach of the Sarda Act. In the mean time, I am certain; we must not undertake these prosecutions. Prosecutions must be preceded by educative propaganda.”10

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have sent in your application to Kumarappa. You shall be your own judge as to the enforcement of rules 9 and 101 in your own person. What I expect you to do is not a visit to every village in your district, but acquisition of a right knowledge of the villagers’ wants and organization of the effort to meet them. For this you are fully fitted in spite of your dilapidated body of which we must talk when we meet. I leave on 28th which is my silence day. Come if you easily can between 26 and 27 the cold spell has meant more than the loss of a crore of rupees for the starving millions.”11 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Here is my message for the Harijans who are troubled about child-marriages. “In these days of self-purification, Harijans ought to know that they are to avoid all the bad customs of caste Hindus. They should therefore avoid child-marriages. But reformers may not be impatient. Sarda Act is, in my opinion, a wise step. But it may not be strictly enforced against Harijans when it is very laxly enforced against caste Hindus. There should be effective enlightened propaganda by Harijans among fellow Harijans on the evil of child-marriages and the bearing of the Sarda Act on them. And then when it is made certain that people willfully ignore that Act, a few prosecutions may be undertaken. But even then they must be the sole concern of Harijans. They may not ask for or receive even financial assistance in this matter from caste Hindus. In any case at least one year should be given to concentrated propaganda.” If this is not the message you want you may withhold publication and let me know what you want. There is no cold here. We have been having rains instead.”12

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “A parcel of envelopes was sent to you the other day. The writers’ cramp is still there. I wrote today for Harijan and a few brief letters. But that was about all I could do for the day with the right hand. I know that your entry and that of women like you into the village movement will make it artistic and attractive. I take it that Shummy’s name may now appear on the Board of Advisers. Never mind his ignorance. It takes a wise man to own his ignorance. And have not doctors to unlearn many things if they would serve villagers? Please tell me his full name and title for the Association Register. My love and thanks to him. I am glad you have commenced your visits to villages. I wish it were possible for you to lessen your desk work and increase concrete village work. But I see you have a special gift for writing work. Your organization perhaps can’t do without the quantity of work you are giving it. Only, please take care not to overwork yourself by reason of your having taken up village work. I have passed on your message to Kumarappa. You are quite right in not taking member’s pledges indiscriminately. Here is my message to Harijans: “Please tell Harijans that in the movement for self purification that is going on at present, they are expected not to copy the vices and errors of the so-called caste Hindus. I was therefore distressed to find that child-marriages were as common among them as among some caste Hindus. It is a cruel custom having nothing of good in it. They should also know that it has been declared illegal by special legislation. I hope therefore that Harijans will make a great effort to rid them of this evil custom.” I hope this meets your requirements. Mira had a bad motor accident. All her companions were hurt. One of them was very badly hurt. She was the least injured. The car was smashed to pieces. They were all thrown up in the air. It was a miraculous escape. The one who was seriously injured is lying in the local hospital. He is out of danger. No one dies without His will.”13

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Yes, the Khan Brothers are truly servants of God. I am glad you were able to go through the book at a single sitting. You should get some copies from Devdas, free if you like, and send them to your English friends. The paper that Jugalkishore has sent you has the defect you point out. I am making investigations to see if improvement can be made. Envelopes should present no difficulty. They can be neatly prepared by hand. The making of them may by itself become an occupation. Do the ones I have sent you lack the finish? You may not wait for adopting khaddar till you have used up all your mill-made saris. There is any amount of beauty to be found among hand-spun stuffs. Of course hand-spun silk is khadi. Please give my love to Maharaj Singh and his wife. You may not know that my second son is editor of a S. A. paper called Indian Opinion. He is a good young man. He did not like Maharaj Singh’s policy and attacked him fiercely in his paper. Andrews and I reasoned with the boy for the manner of his attack but we failed to convince him of the error of his method. He is an obstinate boy. I told him I did not mind his criticism where he disapproved of a policy but I reasoned with him as to the manner of his approach. I am still trying. I remain unconvinced by Mrs. B. Nehru’s argument. My point is that we as reformers may not do the work of prosecution. The sanatanists will pay the fines and put up the Harijans against us. I am quite clear in my mind that we have to begin with the so-called higher classes who are the real culprits. That Harijans know sometimes that they are contravening the Sarda Act does not affect my argument. They are still ignorant of the wrongdoing. Mere defiance of law has ceased to be a wrong in itself. My argument holds good even for the women’s organization. You may show this to Mrs. B. N. Naturally, if my reasoning does not convince you, you will ignore it. I must inquire about linen.”14

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You are as good as your word. You have given me a wire, a postcard and a good letter. Your overlooking Kumarappa’s notice is therefore excused. It was not meant for you. You were no guest of the Association. You came as a member of the family. Among the commissions for Shummy please add the medicinal and food value of tamarind if I did not ask you to note it. As I am making extensive use of it and as there is a superstition against its use in these parts, I am anxious to have medical opinion as early as possible. Heat is daily growing here. It does not worry me. The wet cloth on the head cools the whole system.”15 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You have been prompt about sugar. If you want Ba’s thanks, you can have them. Though ‘Thanks’ is a good custom, somehow among members of a family it seems artificial. There you are, you have your choice. I am sure the thali and katora is a sound investment. I hope the plague in Khan Khana has abated. It is just a punishment for our flagrant breach of the fundamentals of sanitation and hygiene. I have no doubt that the method adopted by you regarding the erring servant is the correct method. It is a thousand times better to be deceived for having trusted than to be able to boast of never having been deceived by having been strict and suspicious. Only trusting should never mean tempting. But this calculated deception by the president is insufferable. You should find out means of exposing the deceit. No law of secrecy can protect fraud on the part of a trustee. And lawyers say that there is no wrong but has a remedy. Therefore you should discover a remedy for the public wrong done by your president. I sent yesterday some more questions for Shummy. Tell him with my love that he will have no rest from me and that he will have questions put to him which perhaps he never had to face in the course of practice.”16

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I did not want you to send me the enormous quantity of sugar and gur you have sent me. At the rate you are going, you will presently be my universal provider. Your warning me against overwork induces the retort: “Physician! Heal thyself.” Do you remember Rhys Jones? He asks me to take all the work I can from Shummy. Have I not anticipated Rhys?”17 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The gur and shakkar are both good. What Ba would ultimately say of shakkar I do not know. I shall give you her opinion when she gives it. Shummy’s note on gur and imli is valuable and I am using it for Harijan. He must, or you would for him, warn me when I put an undue strain on him. I am having so many medical and chemical conundrums for solution. The papers you sent me are going back. They make interesting reading. But we will have to work out our own salvation. When you get used to it, you would prefer loosely-woven khadi sheets to glossy linen. The softness of the khadi sheets I have in mind is all its own. It is light and airy. This is no exaggeration. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. You get the right kind. If you can’t procure it, you must tell me. Shall I send you good slivers from here? Next time you come, I must teach you carding. It is quite easy. You must not have slivers sent for you. You should make them yourself. It is almost dawn now and I must stop.”18

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “If you have difficulty in getting slivers from Adampur, or if what you get is not good enough, please do not hesitate to fall back upon me. I can ensure you a regular supply of good slivers. You need not worry about Watt’s 16 volumes. I have already got the abridgment which will serve the purpose. I had an offer from Calcutta to buy me the whole set. I have stopped the purchase. So for the time being it will be enough for you to be able to procure for me the other books. When you come in July I undertake to return you a good carder. It is no strain to work the bow. If I do go to Europe again, I would love to have you with me. But just now there is little possibility of my going out of India. My heart is in the village work just now.”19 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your circular is good. It is weak on sanitation. No refuse need be burnt. It is like burning a currency note. Shummy can tell you what I mean. When you come here in July, you will know much more about this. K. has gone to Andhra. He returns next week. Fancy Shummy having an ache. ‘Physician, heal you.’ Your yarn has come in. It is quite good for a beginner. I could not do as much in the time you have done. But then I am more stupid than the average learner. Please tell Miss Reynolds that the guineas will be used for the benefit of Harijan girls-the most neglected of Indian humanity and that too where starvation is great just now. Of course you will write what you like to Agatha. I know what you are going to write. But this perhaps you do not know that our Chairman and Secretary are among the most competent accountants in India. The accounts are public property. Yes, Agatha has brought us so close to each other. It is a matter of sorrow to me that I cannot give her the satisfaction she wants in the shape of sending a man like Rajaji to England. She does not realize that it is all one man’s show. Sir S. does not want to placate the Congress at all. He is riding for a fall. He does not know what terrorism is being employed in order to enforce his will. If nonviolence is the remedy, as it is, against this evil, we must have patience and all will be well. I wish you could let Agatha see why nobody can be usefully sent just now. I am sending you some slivers. You will tell me how they work. You ought to get hold of a boy or a girl who would learn these processes and then teach others. I could soon train anyone you may send. I have overtaken the arrears of correspondence. I am enjoying my silence and dread having to break it on Friday. Arrears will pile up in no time. You have captivated the Ashram girls. They often inquire about you.”20

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The sooner you go to Simla, the better. You will do what work you can from there. It is well to recognize your limitations. Evidently both of you need the change. Of course your yarn will be utilized. You will have to spin for many months at the present rate before I can get a sari for Ba and a loin-cloth for myself. But that is not just now of consequence. All that will come after your second training here. It is a tragedy that you cannot find anyone in all Jullundur who knows all the processes. When one comes to think of it, the progress of spinning among the so-called cultured classes is very little. Dalip Singh will find when he settles down to work among the Harijans that they have skill enough to earn a living but that as labourers they do not get employment as easily as the others and that as artisans they do not find customers for their wares. No doubt improvement can be and should be made in their method of dealing with hide. But this will follow his taking up the work. He need not work as a representative of our organization. He can work independently and yet get all the technical assistance he may need from us to the extent of our capacity. The rain did interfere with our work at Indore but not much. It damaged the village crafts exhibition that was held as a side show. The women’s meeting too went off quite nicely. Thousands of them came out, many perhaps for the first time in their lives.”21

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Shummy’s letter was received after I had written to you. I am going to make good use of the information he has given me. I would like him to prosecute similar inquiry about tamarind seeds and the seeds of other edible fruits. I am presently going to send you specially made envelopes and note-paper. You will tell me in good time when you need slivers. Yes, we saw the old Maharani but had no opportunity of talking to her.”22 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have shown your letters to C. F. A. He is not likely to be with you before 25th of the month. Ceresole and Wilkinson are coming here on 16th. They sail for Europe on 23rd. I am having more envelopes and note-papers made of the two varieties you left. If you want any other you will please send me samples. I shall not send you more unless you order more. I shall stock them for you.”23 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your note-paper looks satin-like. Dalip Singh’s letter is good. We are a crowded family just now. C. F. A., Ceresole, Wilkinson, Malkani, Mrs. Malkani, their friend and son and two students a good addition. And you will remember the scarcity of plates and bowls we have. But we manage and keep merry. Yes, the heat here is trying. The gum on your envelopes is from the bark of a tree in the garden. I shall see what can be done to the next lot.”24

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have not been able to write you during the past five days. Guests have absorbed all my time. Charlie’s wire has just arrived. Not one of us had realized till I got your letter what a miraculous escape you had. You are destined to render greater service than you have already rendered. That to me is the reasonable meaning in God having kept you whole in spite of what looked so like a fatal accident. Let the accident make us all careful of every moment He spares us. I am having slivers and note-paper made for you. They will be sent to you in due course. I suppose you have known Puri for a long time. If you have found him trustworthy, he should be of great help to you. What is he doing there? Does Shummy know the fruit-tree called falsa? The fruit is a berry, the size of a pea. Can he get for me the analysis of the pulp and the seed? What is its botanical name? I am trying to discover the food values of all these easily obtainable fruits and leaves. They seem to me to have immense possibilities. I would like Shummy to specialize in this branch of the work. He has access to specialists which few persons have.”25

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “So you were not free from the effect of the accident even at the time you wrote, i.e., the 20th instant. I hope you are now completely free. I am glad you have established touch with the villagers. You should learn their domestic condition and know them as if they were members of the family. Their morals need not worry us just now for they know no better. They have not a guilty conscience. If therefore we establish contact with them it becomes easy and effective to ask them to give up some of their habits.”26 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have now got your yarn. It is not bad. You should now learn to make properly-twisted strands. If you do not, the yarn becomes weak. I see you have sent a lot of razor blades, some of which are quite new. They make up for the postage spent on the yarn. Now you should collect a fair quantity before you send a parcel. Did you get the packet of envelopes and note-paper? The expert has not yet commenced paper-making. I put him on to making note-paper, etc., out of the stock brought from Indore. When he does make paper you shall know. Yes, I began about the market in Simla. I suggested your personally visiting it and studying the local vegetables and fruit and their quality from the health point of view and at the market knowing the poor who come from distant hills to sell their produce. You can also sell paper, khaddar and the like among those who will congregate in Simla. I hope you have both already felt the effect of the mountain air. Andrews should be here during the week.”27

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “On reaching here this morning I found your letter and samples. I return Dr. Gopichand’s letter. If, contrary to Dr. G., you think that Puri has managed the abolition of octroi on khadi, you have to have the honour with him. Pray do not go to the market at the sacrifice of health. I shall hope to send you village-paper note-paper as per size sample, not the colour sample, at any rate not for some time to come.”28 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I see why your body wears itself out. You insist on doing everything thoroughly. Of course it is the right thing for any seeker. But there is no warrant for any seeker taking over more than he or she can well manage. I wonder whether I was right in letting you come into my movements. God will take care of you. You must cut down the social functions of Simla even though it may involve some seeming sacrifice of the good you might do to the movements you may be in. No movement designed for the multitude will suffer by your conserving your time and energy by cutting down many social functions. Now for khadi. All Punjab shops are not run at a loss. The Simla one has always been. Management is no doubt defective. But the people in Simla look down upon khadi and there is a class that is afraid to wear it. The wearers become marked men. Your idea of having a swadeshi mart on the Mall is attractive but its execution is risky. However good swadeshi articles may be, they must suffer in comparison. And I doubt the utility of aiming at gaudiness. I differentiate between art and gaudiness. What one sees in fashionable shop windows is by no means all art. To produce things of real beauty and hope to put them side by side with the showy things of the Mall in Simla is an expensive ambition which we had better suppress at least for this season. Do what you can with the shop as it is. Convert it into something better. Let there be swadeshi articles in it. Arrange it after your taste and gain experience before you take expensive quarters. We must have this as one of the topics of discussion when you come down in July or August the earlier the better. You will read what I have felt and done about the Quetta disaster. You will read my letter to Charlie. He should know that one swallow does not make a summer. He will have to trace me in Orissa or some such place when I take up walking again. Meantime I accept 12 miles on the hills as a fair beginning. I am waiting for the analysis of falsa. Note-paper and envelopes are nearly ready. Some slivers are also ready. I want to put together a fair lot. I hope to give you the cost price of everything, at the time of sending the articles. I have kept no account of what has been already sent to you of paper or slivers. Nor need you worry about these.”29

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “God will certainly bless service so conscientiously and selflessly rendered. I would have joyously taken you both to Quetta if I could have gone. But it was not to be. Yes, you will convince me of the necessity of removing the Khadi Bhandar to the Mall. I can’t write much as I am writing with the left hand. The right needs rest.”30 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The frank admission of one’s proved helplessness does not make one a coward but may be the beginning of bravery. I am taking you at your word and dictating. Writing with the left hand is a pleasure to me but I cannot do it with the same ease and quickness as with right hand. Charlie has duly handed your letter. I am returning the photo prints with autographs in the manner suggested by you. I cannot remember Krishnalal Goswami. It may be that he was in the Ashram during my absence. Charlie says he has distinct recollection of having seen him in the Ashram. Mahadev has not. What he has said to you about charkha seems to be correct and shows that he knows something of the art of spinning. Slivers I am sending with Charlie. You will tell me how you find them. You should have the spindles locally made. If you cannot secure good steel, they can be made of any iron. So long as they are true it does not matter much. A weak spindle spins as well as any other, so long as it remains true. But in an inexperienced hand a weak spindle will go wrong more frequently than a steel spindle. I am sending you also 450 note-paper sheets and an equal number of envelopes done up in nine bundles. I was about to have packets of 50 each pressed and nicely covered in some blank paper, of course hand-made, when your letter came telling me that I was to send the sheets coverless and that you would have them dressed up for the windows. You ask me to give you the price. The bundle that is coming to you with Charlie and the one that was sent previously to this were made out of paper which has cost me Rs. 12. Odd sheets that were saved were used up by me. There still remain 150 sheets with me. The labour of making these I have not counted, nor the price of material specially prepared for making the envelopes. The price of the latter can only be trifling. The price of the former cannot today be estimated. Two or three workers have been at it for some odd days. I did not ask them to keep a record of all the time that they gave to this work. Now I have given you enough material to put your own price on the note-papers and envelopes. The least you have to sell them for is Rs. 12. But you are at liberty to do what you like with them. Of the slivers I can say nothing because all I have to pay for is the cotton purchased from the khaddar bhandar. But I have kept no account of what has been sent to you. The raw material could not have cost more than a rupee and a half. As to Quetta relief I have asked you to reserve for the time being what you collect. Later on I shall be able to guide you. The relief will last for some time. Of course this advice has force so long as you have no definite idea about its direction. Immediately you know where you would like to spend your donation, you will not hesitate to do so. One thing I cannot help asking you to collect for and that is the Harijan Wells Fund. You will note what I have said about it in the ensuing number of the Harijan. About the photos you will do what you like with them. They are your property. I think this covers all the points raised in your two unanswered letters. There is nothing wrong about the right hand. It will be all right after due rest.”31

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Now that we know each other so well, you can certainly save your time by writing only when you must. Though I treasure your long letters, I would be satisfied with a mere postcard telling me of important events. You have your work cut out for you at Poona. Are you coming to Wardha on your way to Poona or on your way back or both ways? The weather is much cooler just now. I have shared your letter with Kumarappa. If you can establish contact with rickshaw-pullers, it would be a great thing. They can easily spin, weave and add to their meagre earnings. I am sorry Krishnarao is leaving you. Of course, ultimately you will have to rely upon yourself. Though your arms may not be strong enough to work at the bow, it is good that you will know the process of carding. That would enable you to regulate and control carding by others. If your girls learn spinning, you will insist upon their carding. Unless they do, they will never spin regularly. And it is a bad job to depend upon others for slivers. If they form a kind of spinning-club, they can have a division of labour. Some may gin, some others may do the carding, many can make slivers and all will spin. The clothes you have for Quetta relief may be sent to Dr. Gopichand for the refugees in the Punjab, unless of course there are refugees in Simla itself, in which case you can distribute your clothes among them. Only I fancy that in Simla you will have the most well to- do refugees, whereas in Lahore the poorest must have congregated. I shall hold on the money. It can be sent where they have spent what is being collected now. There is always in such calamities an ample fund in the beginning stages. You need not get out of your ‘Ville’ to sell those paper sheets and envelopes I have sent you. I am in no hurry to have the price of them. And ultimately even if they could not be sold there, there would not be any difficulty in selling them here, without any loss. I know we cannot make the profits that you can, but you must not give undue labour to their sale. The slivers I have sent you, should give you at least 25 counts, as they are capable of giving 30 counts. Please hand over the enclosed letter to Andrews.”32

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “These are the remains of the paper sent to you. Never believe what the papers say of me unless you have confirmation from here. I did howl from pain for 45 minutes. When it was over, there was no weakness felt, no weight lost. It was an overdose of neem leaf. I was trying its maximum capacity. Such experiments must be tried on self. My experiments have never done permanent harm. I have made rich discoveries for myself and companions. In the early days my teeth suffered. But there too, there was nothing wrong with the experiment. It was my ignorance of early days. If our doctors knew the properties of indigenous foods and drugs, the way of persons like me would be simple and easy.”33 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This is just to wish you a happy time in Poona. Of course you will do about the balance Rs. 400 what you would have done about 400 should a similar occasion arise. I wanted you to wait for me to give the word so long as you were in doubt. I shall look forward to your arrival on 1st or 2nd August.”34

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The promised wire has come. And I am glad your place remains vacant. Whenever I take my seat, I miss you. You had become a fixture. Then you have left so many reminders behind. The thermos is a perpetual reminder. The citronel la bottle, too, I found lying on the table. I suppose you left that, too, by design. The baskets are still there. The beet never ends. I must try it again. So you see what you have done! I hope Shummy was able to issue the certificate I wanted. You have invited Kumarappa to be your guest whenever he could go to Simla. The Civil Surgeon examined him yesterday and regards being had to the slight temperature; he wants him to go to a hill for a month or two. I am sending him to Bombay for further examination and then he may be ready to go to Simla, if you really can take him in without any inconvenience to you at all. If you can, please wire to me. But you must not hesitate to say no, if you will be inconvenienced in any way whatsoever.”35 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Don’t be alarmed. I am writing with the left hand to keep the right fit for Monday. Your two letters and wire came in duly. Perhaps you will have to receive Devdas, too, if you have room for him. Poor boy! He is in danger of being attacked by paralysis. Jamnalalji wired yesterday saying Ansari had advised change to Simla. Simla must have come to his lips because of you. What other special recommendation could Simla have? I am simply preparing you for the application. If it comes, you will know what to do with it. Once more I warn you. Never hesitate to say ‘No’ when you mean ‘No’. That is the only way to preserve friendships. You have become dearer to me than a friend. But if you are to remain a dear daughter, I must not put undue strain on your loyalty. And yet my life is so full of companionships that everyone intimately connected with me is taxed to the uttermost. May God give you the strength to carry the burden you have imposed on yourself? Shummy won’t now regulate Kumarappa’s life from the heights of Simla. For he is having Kumarappa under his own observation. Tell him I am religiously eating daily the beet he sent. Amtussalaam has found out the way of cooking it well. I did not have much talk about Puri with Gopichandji. I see from Pyarelal’s letter sent by you that his heart is not in Simla. Is there no local man there who would take it up? I am writing to G. How did you find the paper that was given to you by Chowdhury? You should send me samples of the sizes and the colours you want. The meetings of the Board were quite good. I wish you had been present. But I know it was right for you to go. Of course, you will come and resume your work here whenever you can come. Give my love to your two faithful attendants and tell them I was sorry I was not able to know more of them as I would have liked to do. But my activities leave me no time for such amenities.”36

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What is the use of your being in that clear air and having good honey and fresh fruit, if you have laryngitis? I hope it is now a thing of the past. I am passing on your letter to Kumarappa. I know that he won’t feel lonely there. How you do like this note-paper and the cover all made here? Is the border too rough? What of the colour? I must remember to send you rice and the spindle.”37 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This paper is the waste of what is now being prepared here by apprentices. I am sending it for you to see the colour and the thinness. It lacks finish. Presently we shall produce the finest paper made in India at a reasonable cost. Devdas’s coming to you will be earlier than I had expected. I am sending your love letter to Devdas. Kumarappa may leave Nagpur on 4th and be with you on 6th. I have sent you a bag of rice with Avinashilingam. It is very good though cheap. I have paid double railway fare, for, the goods train would have meant a month’s waiting and the risk of damage. I wonder if I did right. The rice should keep good in Simla though unpolished rice must not be stored for long. If the quantity sent is too much for you, you should sell it. I hope to send you the bill herewith if it has not gone already. The takli also went with Avinashilingam. If Devdas does come, you should use him for khaddar propaganda. He knows spinning. We are crowded here just now. We have the members of the Harijan Board. Janakiprasad finished his seventeen days under extraordinarily good condition. He broke it on honey, lemon and water. I was not able to take your apples. I have so many who are in greater need.”38

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “This is the thinnest paper made here. You can write on both the sides as you can see. He has prepared the blotting paper too. And he promises to make considerable improvements. This paper industry may prove a veritable boon. If it does, it will be a proof of what a combination of talent and labour can do for the village. I am hoping to get with your assistance, more than even eight annas per day for the makers. Avinashilingam has got your rice with him, he says, as he could not find your place. He would not let me pay the railage. The cost of the bag is a trifle as you will see. The railage twice the price of the article! I wonder if I did right in sending you all that quantity. Perhaps you did not know what a bag would contain. There are bags and bags! Having asked you to accommodate Kumarappa and Devdas I am not going to say more than I have done. I only hope that they will not prove a source of burden to you. Of course you are not expected to give any time to them. It is monstrous for poor people to think of going to fashionable hill-stations. You are responsible for the mischief. My poverty is only so-called?”39

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your daily post has commenced even before the patients are there! This is like your rehearsal of Shakuntala. Next time you come, you will teach something of your art to the girls, if a little time can be saved from your secretarial work. I suppose your rehearsal there was in English? Whose translation was it? Who were the actresses? Yes, you will have the salesman and the present rent paid for a limited period if you will guarantee purchase of definite minimum of khadi and not stock mill-cloth. You can sell all other swadeshi articles. But my anxiety is for you not to add to your already heavy burdens, financial and administrative. Run the swadeshi enterprise by all means if you have the right stamp of men and your financial responsibility is rigidly fixed. The undertakings with which I am connected are so vast in their scope that they can absorb fortunes. That they have never yet done so is because I have never allowed them to go out of hand. And there is protection from within as there is little chance of personal gain. All I want therefore is your great ability, constancy and purity dedicated to the service of the lowliest and the downtrodden. That, thank God, I already have. I return Vijay Singh’s letter. I do not like it over much. But I have no right to judge. You will insist on a proper accounting of every pice spent.”40

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Just a line whilst I use the right hand. I see that I must rest the right hand except during the silence day, if I am to retain its use for that day for some years. This is merely a precautionary measure. I am eating your apples. But you won’t issue peremptory instructions with each consignment you may be sending. I assure you, I shall not deny myself fruit when I need it. Khurshed is acting as secretary, Mahadev having gone to Allahabad only to Miss Jawahar and now having gone to Sardar at his bidding. She is giving full time and is slaving today even as you had to that terrible Monday. Amtul Salaam has just risen from sick-bed to find Mira taking her place. And it is pouring cats and dogs today! I hope however there is nothing serious with her. Ba and Devdas must have come to you today. I do hope all this party won’t be too much strain on you. Shummy will give me his professional note on both Kumarappa and Devdas please. I wonder how long the bag of rice will last you. Next time you should import paddy from the nearest place and install a husking chakki. That would be the cheapest method and in keeping with the village spirit.”41

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am not going to worry about Kumarappa’s temperature. He is absolutely safe under Shummy’s care. I do not remember having suggested your name to Rajendrababu. If you really do not feel equal to the task, say so unhesitatingly. If it is from the Congress standpoint that the pamphlet is required, you must not undertake the task. If it is from the woman’s standpoint, I do not know anyone who can do it better than you. But I myself dread your undertaking fresh burdens. Therefore whilst from the latter’s standpoint I would like you to shoulder the burden, you shall be the judge as to whether you can spare the time. It need not be a book. A pamphlet of 25 pages octavo size compactly written would be quite good. Of course you may write more, if you feel like it. You shall have the paper as soon as possible. The samples not yet received. Did I tell you yesterday that Mira was on her back? She has just been transferred to where Kumarappa was placed. Amtul Salaam, tell Kumarappa, has now got her job and is now up and doing. She has forgotten that she was sick only yesterday. Please tell Ba, Laxmi is to be put up at the bungalow.”42

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your unfailing full letters are a blessing to me. With the two patients under your care I have no anxiety about them. Please tell Pyarelal I have his letters. I take him at his word and save time by not replying just yet. Mahadev has not yet returned. He may not before Monday. Your reply to Dr. Gopichand Bhargava is quite correct. I am destroying the letter as desired by you. You must resolutely refuse to carry burdens you cannot bear. Mira is still not out of the wood. She had another restless night. Nevertheless the fever is abating though slowly. Rajaji is still here. He will probably leave on Tuesday. Laxmi and the new-born are well. Tara still has recurring fever. And so has Manu. They are all at Jamnalalji’s bungalow. Tell Ba and Devdas I got no time for writing to them. My letters to you must serve the purpose of separate letters.”43

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “God bless you. You must not tax your eyes overmuch and then spoil them. With the doctor in the house, I must not say Devdas should not be pressed to eat more than he wants to take. Better to let him go slow. That’s the layman’s tip to be taken for what it may be worth.”44

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “There was no occasion for apology. And if you cannot call a spade a spade to your own people in your own home, which Maganwadi is, where could you do so? You must repeat the performance, whenever the occasion arises. This size is especially prepared for you. But you will give me your criticism on it. For the stinking lot you have to pay nothing. Has the stink gone with exposure to the sun and the air? Puri should send his detailed criticism without delay. He must not wait for the time when he comes here. I must not be kept in darkness. I am eating your apples with vengeance. And I needed them. They and musambis have acted like medicine. Mira is free from fever. But she is still terribly weak and the digestive apparatus does not respond as it should. In spite of big doses of Eno’s Fruit Salt, she has to take the enema in order to get a clearance. But there is no anxiety on her behalf. You won’t get full marks as a good nurse, or Shummy as a good doctor, unless between you two you make Pyarelal take milk and your excellent butter. Has Shummy anything to add to what I have given in Harijan on snake bites? Is there an easy way of distinguishing a poisonous from a non-poisonous snake? Does he recommend any book on it? When does he think Kumarappa can be discharged? Here are some letters for your guests!”45

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “These ups and downs in Devdas’s health do not trouble me at all. I know that he is getting on there. And I know further that he is in the best of hands. Whoever gave the news to Pyarelal did no good turn. Really and truly I have never felt better. The whole of the last supply of your apples was practically finished by me. And I was also taking musumbis. Therefore there is no cause for worry, even on that score. Whenever I feel the need for fruit I shall certainly take it. I have not left off raw leaves. There was for a few days no room left for neem leaves. So that was omitted. But then all the vegetables were to be omitted if I was taking fruit and the fruit jam. And now I have gone back to neem leaves. The bhaji I have been taking in its cooked form in order to avoid constipation but I stopped it when I was taking apples. You will please therefore not worry about my health. Now about Ba. If she is not happy there and if she can be spared, I think it is no good keeping her there. With all your care and attention I am quite sure that Devdas does not need her presence there. If, therefore, she feels like coming away to Wardha you should let her do so. She is well able to travel by herself. She requires some assistance at stations where she alights. That you can arrange without the slightest difficulty at Kalka, Ambala and Delhi. Someone has simply to meet her at the station and put her in the right compartment. I am looking forward to your letter giving me your own programme. I should be very much disturbed if you altered your own program on account of Devdas or Kumarappa. If they cannot stay at Manorville after you leave it, they must shift somewhere else or go to some other hill-station, if a more prolonged stay is necessary. And I do think that both of them should remain in the bracing climate at least up to the end of October if not November. Devdas may even require a longer stay.”46

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am sure the apples sent by you are not from your garden. Do you know what railage they mean? It is too much of a good thing. Let me be satisfied with what local fruit I can get here. If they were needed as medicine, I would have asked you to send them. But they are not. The only fruit, I fancy, I need for the ailing ones is oranges or musumbis. And I have arranged for a continuous supply. This too may be my fancy but if I am to do with the least amount of drugs, I must, so it appears to me, have honey and oranges. And I assure you I am almost extravagant in the use of these articles. Therefore please stop buying apples for me. When you have the next yield in your own garden I shall gladly have my share. I expect Ba this evening. She will give me all the latest news about Devdas and Kumarappa though I suppose she will hardly be able to add to the very full information you have been giving me. Kumarappa’s brother, J.M., has been here. He is leaving for Bombay this evening. They are chips of the same block, so alike in appearance and their liberal outlook of life and love of the land! Hope you are well. No use saying does not overwork you. I suppose you have rendered yourself incapable of responding to any such request, advice or even command!”47

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I have hardly time to give you a line. But I must. Day by day I must deny myself more and more the pleasure of writing love-letters, if I am to preserve my health and cope with the ever-increasing calls on my time. I have to lay the axe somewhere. It has to fall on the correspondence, I much fear. Yes, you will share apples with me or the like when these come your way without having to buy. I know there is little logic about it. But it is some restraint on my greed and if you like yours also mine to take and yours to give. We won’t quarrel about which is worse. It would be well for us both to give it up simultaneously and thus avoid at least one cause of war between us. Yes, Ba is happy that she finds herself among her grand children and their mother.”48

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your note on the position of women was received yesterday afternoon. I have gone through it. It does not admit of corrections. Your writing is always proper and easy to follow. The argument runs smooth. But it is not what I had expected. It is not a striking statement of the position. I now appreciate when you said; you had never had to perform such a mission before. That your presentation is not impressive is no fault of yours. I do not want you to make another effort, just now, on any account whatsoever. When you come here, we shall discuss the thing and I shall tell you what I would have liked. Then if you feel like it you will write something independently, perhaps for your Association. I do not worry about Devdas. I know he would have done no better, if he was with me. And most certainly he would not have received from me the same care which you and Shummy are able to give. My fear is that you are worrying unnecessarily. I have been having many meetings just now—A. I. S. A., Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, etc. No attention can be paid to correspondence or any other thing in these circumstances.”49

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The longer you stay in Simla, the gladder I feel. Now that the giddy season there is over, you get a change of having a little bit of rest. I fancy that now is the real season for Simla quiet and bracing. There need be no hurry to descend to Jullundur. The work won’t run away from you, if you go there a little later. Pray do not worry over my estimate of your brochure on the position of women in India. The matter is all right it is the manner which appeared to me to be defective. I could smell your fatigue and midnight oil must one say now midnight electric burners in it. I did not miss the political part. It was not expected there. But of all this when we meet, if only that will bring you here earlier. Nor need you worry about Devdas not having been completely cured there. Dr. Ansari is more than satisfied. The weather in Delhi is quite good now and Devdas is accommodated in a nice house. Pyarelal is no longer with him all the 24 hours. Devdas says nowhere could he have had greater kindness than under your roof. Be careful for nothing.” 50

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “What do you say to this postcard? Chowdhury has made vast strides. You will see the works when you come. I do hope you are having full rest in Simla. I dread your habit of making work and then fretting that the day’s work is not done.”51 Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Your description of the village visit is consoling and stirring. In Sindi we have nothing but apparent disappointments to register. Your reports are therefore a good set-off. I hope the progress will be sustained. So you did not or could not go to Saharanpur? You should, if you can. You must not expect a long letter from me. Only I love to talk to you on Mondays, the day I use the right hand for writing. Even before you come here, you hold the pistol to my head and say when you must leave here. You will be somewhat just, if you also told when at the latest you will reach here. Devdas is at Jamnalalji’s. He is getting on quite well. He is still tired if he attempts to do any writing him. He does a lot of dictating. Pyarelal and his sister are also here just now. You will see the child-marriage note reproduced in the current number of Harijan. The other will partly go in, in due course. You want the other returned?”52

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Prabha went yesterday to Patna to join her husband. I felt it would be wrong to keep her any longer when I was almost a discharged patient. The capacity to stand discussions, etc., will come slowly. That fatigue is no new thing. The disinclination came on me a year ago or even earlier. Kanti and Kanu are looking after me and they are doing it quite efficiently. Manibehn is guiding them. And Manibehn is an adept in these things. In neatness she is not to be beaten. Ba is still in Bombay nursing Lakshmi. God willing, we leave here on 19th giving two days to Bardoli and then we proceed to Wardha. We (Sardar and I) reach Delhi about seventh or eighth March. Your letters are partly responsible for the delay in coming to Delhi.”53

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Remember Tyrant won’t tolerate Rebel for long. Rebel will have to be tamed into a slave. Of course you can come to Wardha if you can. That means Savli, a village about 150 miles from Wardha. There will be the A. I. V. I. A. meeting there among other meetings, too. There will be over 100 people—members of Gandhi Seva Sangh gathered there. We would be there for four or five days and then go to Delhi. Of course you will stay with me in Delhi. I shall let them know. I walked yesterday to Harijan Ashram, 11/2 miles from Vidyapith and met their Ghaniram and his son. Both of them are doing good work. He showed me his invention. I could not give him much time. I have asked him to settle down there. The workshop that used to be in Bardoli has been transferred to the Ashram. Therefore there is much scope for his ability. He seemed to be quite happy. Lakshmidas whom you know is looking after him.”54

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Kumarappa handed me your welcome longish letter at the station. The prescription for flit is twice welcome. I needed it. It will duly appear in Harijan without your name. The parcel will arrive in due course. How wise of me to have let you cut out 1/2 yard! When the articles come the artless tyrant will duly examine the so-called art of the rebel. Let the rebel however know in advance that sometimes art lies in not interfering with nature’s unevenness and irregular curves and lines. Fancy hammering the earth into a perfect sphere! Perhaps then we should cease to be. So you see, if I certify your art, it will be a feather in your cap. But then you will have to sport a cap to wear the feather! This shows how well I must be in spite of the journey. I am sorry you can’t come to Savli. We shall see when we meet in Delhi, what you will or can do in the nature of service. Your appointments will leave you no time.”55

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Ghee from cow’s milk I cannot take. I can take only goat’s milk and its products. Have plenty of goat’s milk in stock. The dhotis have come. The ends are well made. But they will not suit dhotis as you will realize when we meet. But they will be used as upper sheets which as you know I wear. The yarn is very fine indeed. Everyone to whom I showed the things admired the texture and the ends-making. We leave this evening for Savli and return here probably on 6th. Only one letter is likely to reach me in Savli if you write to that address. District Chanda, C. P. you will have to put. Savli is an unknown village so far as the public is concerned. I shall miss your presence there as I had almost expected you. Kanti and Kanu accompany me of course. The date for reaching Delhi is not yet fixed. But I am still hoping it would be 8th March.”56

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The weather is not hot but there is nothing cold about it. It rained near Jhansi. We are all well. Ba and Navin are the additions to the party. Puri too was with us. I sent a wire as soon as we arrived. I hope you received it. You may be proud of the frilling to the ‘uppers’ miscalled shawls or scarves. I am proud of your spinning. For spinning is real art. And for you a ‘novice’ the effort is quite worthy. There, once in a way, even a rebel may receive a compliment.”57

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “Though you could have stayed here till today, it was well you went on Tuesday. Your wire was good and the letter quite in keeping with the past performances. Yes, we had the rain here, too, but not much damage was done at the Exhibition for the dust storm and the cold wind gave ample warning. The attendance is improving. Of course it was good to have told your sister-in-law to purchase khadi for you. I understand she went yesterday and bought a fair quantity, I hope, not all for you. I was tempted to buy an exquisite mat for Rs. 35 for you. But I resisted the temptation. Mahadev was inclined to purchase it. I am glad Nabi Bux told you why he would not eat at Harijan mess. I shall talk to Amtul Salaam about it. This is being written before the Morning Prayer. Don’t be alarmed. I got up only at 3.50. I miss you during my walks more than at other times. At other times, I saw very little of you. Expect you in July at the latest. Hope Shummy has got rid of his cold, etc., and that Beryl is thoroughly restored.”58

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “You shall have the shawl if it is unsold when I reach Lucknow. But you will have to develop a kind of village art, cheap yet real beautiful. You must have seen something about art in my latest article on birth control. The wooden spoon made by Navin out of waste bamboo is, you have admitted, a thing of beauty and yet quite cheap. The value of women like you taking up village work lies in your capacity for making it attractive in spite of the necessity of conforming to cheapness. Perhaps art to be real must be cheap in terms of coin.”59

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I am waiting for your wire in reply to mine. You ought not to catch cold as often as you do. I am quite sure that you can avoid these colds by a judiciously natural life. I have a vague fear that your silk underwear has not a little to do with the delicacy of your skin. There is also the constant irritation you subject your skin to by frequent baths and still more frequent face-washes. Add to this the criminal use of soap which destroys all the grease with which nature protects the skin. These three exterior causes perhaps largely account for your colds. Discuss this with Shummy and if the physician in him endorses my view, make the necessary change, not perhaps all at once but one by one. Khurshed is here and so is Perin. I have sent your memo to them to make a selection. I have authorized not more than Rs. 600 investment. You should not incur any loss on the articles. The shawl and the knife will be packed with the other articles. Prabha is sitting by me as I write this. She came in four days ago to Lucknow.”60

Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “I may leave tomorrow and for certain the day after. On reaching Wardha I shall send you a wire if the change of scene does not produce a lapse of memory, as it so often does with me. The parcel is in course of preparation. I have the Rs. 100 in mind. Add the amount to your donation to the Kamala Memorial. You will see the notice in a day or two. You may give as much as you comfortably can. And if you knew her well and that as a woman of rare spiritual beauty, make collections if you can, in an easy way. I do not want you to strain yourself in any way. Nor must you do it because I suggest it. If I settle down in Segaon, I shall most decidedly be available to the outside world and certainly to idiots, lunatics and the like. And you may depend upon my taking care of brother ass. Therefore “Be careful for nothing”. I have asked K. to expedite the purchases for you. You shall certainly pay for the hospital building in Maganwadi.”61

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