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Gandhi had
awakened the nation from the slumber of centuries and endowed it
with the courage and determination to be free. |
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002 |
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The
colours of the national flag were changed at Gandhi’s instance…
White,
green and red were replaced by saffron, standing for courage and
sacrifice, white for truth and peace, green for faith and
strength; the spinning wheel represented the hope of the masses… |
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003 |
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For
Gandhi, true defence of the flag consisted in assimilating the
qualities represented by the colours and in giving the spinning
wheel a place in every home. |
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004 |
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He
explained, “ we have nearly 700,000 villages a large number of
which are living in a condition of semi-starvation; and they do
so because they have no employment for nearly six months in the
year…That being the case, it is necessary to find some
supplementary occupation… Such an occupation is hand spinning…” |
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005 |
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In an
interview, commenting on the efficacy of Satyagraha Gandhi said,
“The Satyagraha movement is nothing but a movement for promoting
go odwill amongst those against whom we seem to be fighting.
Therefore, I have no misgiving as to the ultimate result.” |
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006 |
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In reply
to a question regarding his dress in England, Gandhi observed,”
I shall certainly not be found in European dress, and if the
weather permitted, I should present myself exactly as I am
to-day.”
When asked
whether he would stick to his dress if invited by the King of
England, he replied, “In any other dress I should be
artificial.” |
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007 |
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The
political atmosphere deteriorated. The sense of conflict grew…
Gandhi toured Gujarat to give comfort and courage to peasants in
the villages ravaged by revenue officials.
The Delhi
treaty was being broken in all its clauses…. Peasants were
subjected to coercive processes… |
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008 |
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Gandhi appealed to them to
fulfill their part of the settlement irrespective of the
Government doing it or not. |
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009 |
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The
Government stiffened its back and tightened its hold.
A long and
unsatisfactory correspondence followed between Gandhi and the
Viceroy… |
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010 |
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The
continuing harassment in the country was an indication to Gandhi
that he “must not sail” to attend the Round Table Conference.
In the
final effort to reach a satisfactory arrangement with the
Government, Gandhi reached Simla once again on August 25… |
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011 |
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On Agust
27, his principal demand was conceded. The Delhi settlement of
March 5 remained operative… the obstacle being removed, he
hurried to fulfill his obligation. |
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012 |
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Gandhi
reached Bombay on August 29, to catch the boat in time…A special
passport was issued to enable him to “make a dash for London”. |
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013 |
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Despite
rain, men, women and children, eager to catch a farewell glimpse
of Gandhi, thronged to listen to his parting message. “ I must
go to London with God as my only guide. The horizon is as black
as it could be. There is every chance of my returning
empty-handed…. I shall endeavour to represent every interest
that does not conflict with the interest of the dumb millions…” |
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014 |
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S. S.
Rajputana was ready to sail…the wharf was alive with people …
the Indian plenipotentiary arrived not for waging a battle of
diplomacy but for arrived not for waging a battle of diplomacy
but for embarking on his mission of asserting the right of the
Indian people to be maters of their destiny and cultivating
friendship with the world, for he could not think of permanent
enmity between man and man.
Accompanying Gandhi were two fellow-delegates, sarojini Naidu
and Madan Mohan Malaviya. |
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015 |
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The
innermost thoughts and feelings of the people were “go forth to
quall the bitterest draughts that may yet be in store for
you…Let not the thought of our misery and misfortunes make you
pause…. you have taught us to suffer cheerfully. You have
stiffened our tender hearts into steel! What if you return
empty-handed? Go and proclaim to mankind your message of love
and brotherhood….” |
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016 |
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At noon on
August 29, the “Rajputana” steamed out…. Jawaharlal Nehru watched
the ship that carried the sole representative of one-fifth of
the human race to the Arabian Sea and the far west… |
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017 |
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As Gandhi
was drawing away from the shores, his thoughts were focused on
India. “ I shall work for an India in which the poorest shall
feel that it is their country, in whose making they have an
effective voice, an India in which all communities shall live in
perfect harmony…” this was the India of Gandhi’s dreams. |
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018 |
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Gandhi
was in the best of spirits during the voyage…. Riding the
pitching seas like a veteran mariner, he selected for himself a
corner on the second-class deck where he spent most of the day
and the whole of the night under the canopy of starlit sky… |
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The quaint
traveler carried the scantiest of luggage and scrupulously
observed his daily routine on board the ship…. |
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020 |
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To Gandhi
spinning was a sacrament….He felt
that every time he drew a thread on the wheel, he was coming
nearer to the poorest of the poor and through them to God….
He said, “
It is a symbol not of commercial war but of commercial peace.
For every revolution of the wheel spins peace, good-will and
love… the spinning wheel is for India’s millions the symbol of
salvation…” |
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021 |
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In a
jubilant and almost boisterous mood, he played fairy God father
to a child…. He never felt so happy as in the company of the
little bird…. And the child was happy and hilarious in his
company… “Children are my life,” said he…. |
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022 |
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He mixed
with his fellow-travelers…. capitulated smilingly to passengers
seeking snapshots ….an gave autographs… |
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023 |
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The voyage
provided him with much-needed rest. He heeded only to the
promptings of “Goddess sleep” and slumbered deeply. |
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024 |
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He spent
time in reading and writing answered correspondence and sent
dispatches to his papers as the right hand suffered from
writer’s cramp, he wrote with his left hand… |
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025 |
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Gandhi
gave his testimony on prayer. “Prayer has been the saving of my
life… as food is indispensable for the body, so is prayer
indispensable for the soul…. I am indifferent as to the form.” |
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026 |
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His host
the captain treated him with every mark of respect and invited
him to go round the shop” I am your prisoner for a fortnight”,
said Gandhi. |
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027 |
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He was
conducted to the Captain’s bridge. He tried out the various
nautical instruments. And exhibited keen interest in each
device… |
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028 |
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It was
time for the life-jacket drill, and Gandhi readily participated
in it.
Throughout
the voyage, Gandhi endeared himself to the fellow-passengers by
his unfailing courtesy and gentleness. |
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029 |
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After a
weary voyage of 1660 miles, daylight broke over the rock-crested
shores of Aden. Gandhi steered the ‘Rajputana’ in to the first
port of call. “ I hope I do not capsize the boat”, he remarked
as he turned the wheel… |
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030 |
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A big
welcome awaited Gandhi at Aden…
He arrived
at the citizen’s meeting to receive an address of welcome and a
purse. |
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031 |
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In his
first public speech outside the Indian subcontinent since 1914,
he declared that India did not stand for isolated independence.
“One-fifth of the human race, becoming free through non-violence
and truth can be a great force of service to the whole of
mankind…”
He
extolled the simple way of life associated with the Caliphs and
told the Arabs to help solve the Hindu-Muslim problem. |
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032 |
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As the
ship was gliding through the Suez, messages of welcome from the
Egyptians poured in…
On
crossing the Egyptian waters, Madam Zaglul Pasha sent the “great
leader of great India” her best wishes for the success of the
Indian cause. |
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033 |
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In the
name of Egypt, Mustafa Nahas Pasha, President of the Wafd Party
fighting for Egyptian independence, greeted “ the great leader
Al Mahatma Gandhi” and wished him success in his quest.
Gandhi
thanked them and reciprocated kind wishes for the independence
of Egypt. |
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034 |
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At Port
Said, Gandhi told the journalists on board the ship that hw
would heartily welcome the union of the East and the West
provided it was not based on brute force. |
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035 |
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On the
ship, Gandhi gave discourses on non-violence. His contention was
that as life persisted in the midst of destruction, there must
be a higher law…. The law of love which worked like the law of
gravitation, that the force of non-violence was infinitely more
subtle than the material force of nature, and that opponents
should be conquered with love… |
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036 |
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Gandhi
had, in his loyal secretary Mahadev Desai an assistant who not
merely relieved him of much of his routine work but put his keen
intellect and tireless capacity for work at his disposal,
Mahadev’s devotion to Gandhi was complete and Gandhi’s affection
for him deep and unbounded. |
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037 |
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On the
misty cold morning of September 11, S. S. Rajputana anchored at
Marseilles.
Madelein
Rolland greeted Gandhi on behalf of her ailing brother, Romain
Rolland, with a message, “ the better Europe is with you”. |
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038 |
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The world
press was represented to cover Gandhi’s arrival. “ I shall do
everything at the spur of the moment, depending on my inner
voice which means God will guide me”’ he told the journalists. |
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039 |
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When the
“spiritual ambassador of India” alighted on the soil of
war-weary Europe, he was hailed with shouts of “Vive la Gandhi”.
Gandhi
expounded the message of non-violence to the students of
Marseilles saying that it was a weapon not of the weak but of
the strong. |
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040 |
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On the
train to port Boulonge, a correspondent asked, (his voice) “ How
long do you intend to be in London, Mr. Gandhi?”
Gandhi
: (his voice) “I know your trick.”
C.
: “Won’t you just say a few words ?”
C. : “Would you say a few words?”
A voice
: “Only for France?”
G. : “ I thank all the French.”
G. : “Ah I that’s lovely”
C. : “Good-bye, Sir.”
G. : “ Good-bye”. |
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041 |
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At port
Boulogne, Gandhi was given a friendly ovation.
The party
boarded the channel boat to Folk stone.
While the
boat steamed along, the temperature began to drop and yet Gandhi
had wrapped himself only in shawl.
To the
marveling pressmen, Gandhi’s explanation was, “My dress is the
symbol of mission.” |
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042 |
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At Folk
stone, on September 12, Britons gathered to greet the “Guest of
the nation”.
Gandhi
landed on British soil, with thoughts of the hard task ahead. “I
am here to vindicate the honour of India and to uphold truth as
I see it, for I believe it is the keystone of life…” |
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043 |
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He was
driven straight to the “friend’s House” in London.
A surging
crowd stood for hours on Eusten Road awaiting Gandhi’s arrival…. |
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044 |
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All facets
of public life were represented at the Quaker Centre, to welcome
him as an instrument of the synthesis of politics and religion…
Explaining
his mission, Gandhi said he had come absolutely in a spirit of
co-operation and to strive for an agreed solution between India
and Britain. |
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045 |
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Gandhi had
accepted Muriel Lester’s invitation to stay at Kingsley Hall, a
center dedicated to the slums of London…. The people of East End
opened their homes and hearts to him…
A little
cell on the flat roof with an open view was put at Gandhi’s
disposal. |
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046 |
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The
members of every section of Bow assembled out-side Kingsley Hall
to welcome Gandhi…
(His
voice) “ I am thankful that I got this opportunity of being
surrounded by happy children and seeing the homes of the poor.” |
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047 |
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He was
soon at home among the workers… he felt happy because he got
here a taste of the life he was pledged to live.
Then began
the inrush of visitors of every shade of opinion… |
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048 |
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The Pearly
King accompanied by his son and daughter came to pay respects to
the distinguished visitor in his domain. Gandhi greeted the
costermonger royalties who offered him their best oranges.
(Gandhi’s
voice)” thank you; why take only one. I take two… Still?” |
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049 |
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In his
first ever broadcast talk, Gandhi told the American people from
Kingsley Hall, “The world is sick unto death of blood spilling….
Perhaps it will be the privilege of the ancient land of India to
show the way out….” |
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050 |
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At the
Federal Structure Committee of the Round Table Conference, held
at St. James’s Palace, the voice of resurgent India spoke
through Gandhi. “The goal of absolute Independence remains
intact”.
Gandhi
stressed the need of adult suffrage and racial equality and
advocated an honorable partnership between India and Britain. |
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051 |
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“The
nation that does not control its defense forces and external
policy”’ asserted Gandhi, “is hardly a responsible Nation”.
He struck
a note of warning.” A nation of 350 million people needs simply
a will of its own to say ‘no’ and that nation is today learning
to say ‘no’.” |
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052 |
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The create
greater understanding about India’s case, Gandhi spent more time
in meeting leading celebrities and visiting interesting places.
He met
Charles Chaplin of whom curiously enough, he had not heard. They
talked about the toilers, the underfed and the use and misuse of
machines. |
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053 |
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Gandhi’s
visit to Lancashire afforded him an opportunity to come into
friendly contact with the mill-owners and workers. |
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054 |
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In this
center of the British textile industry, the Mayor of Darwen
welcomed the most uncompromising advocate of the boycott of
foreign cloth.
Asking the
workers not to attribute their miseries to India, Gandhi poured
out his heart to them. “I would be a false friend if I were not
frank with you”. He explained how economics and ethics and
politics were inextricably mixed up in his life… |
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055 |
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“My
nationalism is not so narrow that I should not feel for your
distress….I do not want my country’s happiness at the sacrifice
of any other country’s happiness… You have three million
unemployed but we have nearly three hundred million unemployed
and underemployed for half the year…Your average unemployment
dole is 70 shillings. Our average income is seven shillings and
six pence a month…if India could revive the living corpses by
putting life and them in the shape of work, it will help the
word…” |
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056 |
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He
pointedly asked the operatives, “ Do you want Lancashire’s
prosperity to be built upon the ruin of the Indian artisan?
Their
spontaneous reaction was, “We know each other now”. |
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057 |
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A voice: “
We would just like to say a few words”.
G: (his
voice) “You are going to tell the other children that I love you
all as my own children that’s all I want to say.”
Gandhi
expressed his gratefulness, I shall treasure the memory of
theses days to the end of my earthly existence.” |
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058 |
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In a
recorded talk Gandhi sought to prove the existence of the
benevolent power-God. (His Voice) “ I do dimly perceive that,
whilst everything around me is ever changing, ever dying, there
is underlying all that change, a living power that is
changeless, that holds all together, that informing power or
spirit is God… for I see that in the midst of death life
persists; in the midst of untruth, truth persists; in the midst
of darkness, light persists… Hence I gather that God is Life,
Truth, Light. Faith transcends reason…” |
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059 |
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Being His
Majesty’s guest, Gandhi felt morally bound to accept the
invitation to attend his reception.
He went to
Buckingham Palace in his usual dress. |
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060 |
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The Round
Table Conference was completely abortive… Every divisive
tendency in India was encouraged… The conference concluded on
December 1. |
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061 |
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Gandhi’s
twelve-week stay at East London, which afforded him an
opportunity to see “ the best side of human nature” and lent
support to his belief “ that at bottom there was neither East
nor West”, came to an end.
After
planting a tree in front of Kingsley Hall, his parting message
was, (his voice) “Whatever the result of the mission that
brought me to London, I know that I shall carry with me the
pleasantest memories of my stay in the midst of the poor people
of East London.” |
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062 |
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On
December 5, 1931, Gandhi left Britain “Without any
disappointment”.
(His
voice) “I carry with me the pleasantest recollections of many
happy friendships formed.”
The call
from India was peremptory. Gandhi boarded the channel boat to
the French coast on the way home leaving behind seeds of
goodwill and mutual understanding… |
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063 |
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On his
homeward journey, Gandhi landed in France. The crowds
overwhelmed him with their welcome. |
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064 |
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During his
one day sojourn in Paris, Gandhi spoke to an attentive audience.
“ I know that we have to go through still more suffering to
vindicate our position.”
Next day,
he departed for Switzerland. |
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065 |
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Gandhi
came to Geneva to spend a few days with Romain Rolland –the sage
of Villanueva.
The two
kindred souls tormented by the spirit of darkness engulfing the
world met at Villa Olga on the bank of Lake Leman. |
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066 |
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Rolland
described the blighting effects of exploitation and the perils
of war…
Gandhi
affirmed that nations should cease to answer violence with
violence. |
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067 |
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Gandhi’s
routine of taking early morning walks continued despite the
severe December cold.
One
evening at Gandhi’s request, Rolland played on the piano an
ANDANTE movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony representing the
triumph of the heroic will over the deepest gloom… |
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068 |
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At a
meeting in Geneva, he pointed out, (his voice) ”My speeches at the
Round Table Conference are all officially reported. Meanwhile, I
must ask you to believe me when I say that I have never made a
statement of this description, that the masses of India, if it
becomes necessary, will resort to violence. Call that as you
like; it is complete independence that we want.” |
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069 |
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“God”,
Gandhi said at Lausanne, “is an eternal principle. That is why I
say that Truth is God and the way to him is through love.”
After five
days’ stay in Switzerland, Gandhi left for Italy… |
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070 |
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At Rome,
Gandhi was cheered by enormous crowds … he was received by
General Morris- a friend of Romain Rolland… The movitones
grunted; journalists struggled, but Gandhi had decided not to
make public statements…
During the
three days’ stay in Rome, he had a packed schedule…He was able
to see something of the ancient city…he made a hurried round of
the Roman ruins…. |
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071 |
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The
Vatican galleries were specially opened for Gandhi… their art
treasure interested him immensely… |
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072 |
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Gandhi’s
eyes fell on a striking statue of Christ… he went up to it and
stood in deep contemplation… Gandhi saw here that nations like
individuals could only be made through the agony of the Cross
and that joy came not out of infliction of pain on others but
out of pain voluntarily borne by oneself…. |
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073 |
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Gandhi was
shown a military exercise and drill by little boys known as
“Balilla”.
(His
Voice) “Well, it has given me very great pleasure to see all
these young children hale and hearty. That is all. Quite
enough.”
A voice :
‘Thank you.” |
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074 |
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On
December 14, Gandhi boarded S. S. Pilsna at Brindisi en route to
India…
After his
experience in England, it was clear to him that the true battle
ground was not London; it was India… But in ignorance of the
situation at home, he reiterated that he would try every means
to avoid another fiery ordeal… |
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075 |
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On
December 28, two days after the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru,
Gandhi reached the shores of India…
Though he
had returned empty-handed, he had not compromised the honour of
his country… A great ovation awaited him… |
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076 |
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Gandhi was
unprepared on landing to find intensifies repression and special
ordinances in operation… the truce had been done to death… The
die seemed to be cast… |
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077 |
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Bombay
staged a magnificent welcome to Gandhi… Thousands turned out en
masse to greet him… the streets were lined with greatly excited
crowds… National flags fluttered everywhere and banners and
aches adorned the whole of the long route to Mani Bhavan. |
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078 |
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Gandhi
encamped on the terrace of Mani Bhavan and acquainted himself
with the situation. He found things blacker then he had
imagined.
That
evening, people flocked to Azad Maidan to listen to Gandhi… A
vast concourse of humanity stretched far beyond the Maidan… |
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079 |
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At 5
o’clock, Gandhi arrived to give his appraisal of the situation
and ascended the 20-foot high rostrum…
In reply
to the demonstration of tumultuous welcome, Gandhi condemned the
attempt of the Government, to unman a whole race… |
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080 |
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He
emphasized his eagerness to co-operate with the Government,
though he was ready for a struggle if necessary…
“If a
fight is inevitable” he asserted, “ I would expect every son of
the soil to contribute his mite… I would not flinch from
sacrificing even a million lives for India’s liberty.”
He
exhorted the people to get rid of the fear of death and adhere
to non-violence…
He made an
impassioned plea for raising the level of the untouchables
realizing that without it freedom would be futile. |
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081 |
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Gandhi
gave a detailed account of his work in Britain to the members of
the Congress Working Committee. …he discussed the grim
situation in the country with his colleagues and sought an
interview with lord Willingdon to find a way out… |
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082 |
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On
receiving a stiff reply from the Viceroy, Gandhi had no choice
left but to resort to Civil Disobedience…
He
prepared to go to jail…. |
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083 |
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His
message to the nation was to wake up from its sleep and respond
to the challenge of the Government without hatred or malice for
“our quarrel is not with men but with measures.” |
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084 |
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To poet
Tagore he wrote, “ I want you to give your best to the
sacrificial fire that is being lighted…” |
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085 |
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The
Government instantly struck back and when the whole nation was
asleep, Gandhi was put under arrest at 3 a.m. on Monday January
4- his weekly day of silence in the tent on the terrace of Mani
Bhavan… |
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086 |
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After the
prayers, he was taken away and was once again interned in the
Yeravda Jail “during the pleasure of the Government”.
India was
numbed by repression… it was a conflict of two historical
forces… |
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087 |
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The jails
began to be filled with a Civil Disobedience prisoners… their
idealism and pride led them to fetters… it was a tribute to the
national movement… |
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