1. KHADI IN KATHIAWAD Readers must be aware that in order to make the khadi activity more extensive and more popular a Committee has been set up. Shri Nanabhai has been appointed its President and Shri Nagardas Doshi is its Secretary. The money which was collected on the occasion of the Rentia Jayanti1 and which I had deposited with Shri Narandas Gandhi has been given to the Committee.2 I have received a report of this khadi activity for the period 1938 to 1941 entitled Kathiawadna Khadikamno Heval, published by Pandya Khadi Karyalaya, Chalala. The following paragraphs3 from that will give some idea of the khadi activity. The number of spinners in 1938 was 150 which rose to 600 in 1941. In 1941 there were 500 caste Hindus, 18 Muslims and 12 Harijan spinners. In 1938 the wages given came to Rs. 3,481 while in 1941 the amount was Rs. 18,948. The monthly income of a spinner in 1938 was Rs. 4-12 while in 1941 it rose to Rs. 10. The weavers’ wages increased from Rs. 12 to Rs. 30 and that of carders to Rs. 18 from Rs. 7. The report is good. There is scope for raising the figures. The progress of the work is satisfactory. We can easily gauge the efforts of Shri Nagardas. But Kathiawad is a small province with a population of 26 lakhs. There is scope for much work. How can we increase the number of workers? In other words how can we make the work more interesting and attractive? [From Gujarati] Harijanbandhu, 7-6-1942 1 Gandhiji’s birthday according to the Vikram Calendar 2 Vide “Letter to Narandas Gandhi”, 30-6-1942. 3 Not translated here. The report stated that the Chalala Khadi Karyalaya had become the headquarters for khadi production and sales centres in Kathiawar. There was no paid worker to carry On the routine office work, which was done by workers over and above their other activities. VOL. 83 : 7 JUNE, 1942 - 26 JANUARY, 1944 1 2. RAJAJI Although I retain the opinion I have expressed about my differences with Rajaji, and although I adhere to every word I have said and he has quoted, and although I reaffirm my opinion that my language taken in its context does not bear the interpretation Rajaji puts upon it. I do not propose henceforth to enter into any public controversy with him. I join him in hoping that some day I shall see the error of my views which he sees so clearly. But public controversy with close companions like Rajaji repels me. He has a new mission and he has need to speak. SEVAGRAM, June 7, 1942 Harijan, 14-6-1942 3. LETTER TO C. RAJAGOPALACHARI June 7, l 942 MY DEAR C.R., Nonsense. You are not fallen. These differences mean nothing. I have already written a note1 for H[arijan] that I shall no longer enter into controversy with you. You must not feel dejected either. Therefore you should come here for rest, jokes and a renewal of strength and joy. Your argument I do not understand. Come here and explain. Tell me in whose name the houses should go. Better write to Kamalnayan. Love. BAPU From a photostat: G.N. 2088 4. NO SALVATION WITHOUT SACRIFICE Accounts pour in upon me from all quarters about the action of the authorities demanding evacuation without notice. Sometimes it is a zamindar who is to surrender his bungalow and sometimes it is a middle-class man who has to surrender his house with fans and 1Vide the preceding item 2 THE COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI furniture for the use of the military. More often it is villagers or labourers who are called upon under promise of compensation to vacate their quarters. The condition of these people is piteous. They do not know where to go. To these I can only say, ‘Do not move— and take the consequences. They cannot be forcibly ejected. Even if they are, their cry will be heard whereas newspaper articles will be of little avail. SEVAGRAM, June 8, 1942 Harijan, 14-6-1942 5. LETTER TO AMRIT KAUR SEVAGRAM, WARDHA, June 8, I 942 CHI. AMRIT, Your letter. Sushila comes here on 18th for a week. I think she has come first—nothing much among five candidates. Sushila says nothing about the place she has got. I hope there is nothing serious with S.’s eyes. J.L. came in yesterday. He slept in Sevagram, Maulana comes tomorrow. Love. BAPU From the original: C.W. 413O. Courtesy: Amrit Kaur. Also G.N. 7439 VOL. 83 : 7 JUNE, 1942 - 26 JANUARY, 1944 3 6. LETTER TO D. B. KALELKAR June 8, 1942 CHI. KAKA, I got your letter. Since there is already an agreement between us made long ago that you should consult me before taking up anything new, where is the need of a fresh one? You have assumed heavy responsibilities, and the work about Hindustani is not an easy one either. However, you must fulfil this responsibility. Do it as well as you can. You must categorically refuse to go anywhere else, whether it is to Vanasthali or Vedchhi or Ambala. If you cannot remember the decisions taken by you, you should ask either Amritlal or Saroj to remind you and to get them implemented. Blessings from BAPU From a photostat of the Gujarati: G.N. 10958 7. LETTER TO VALLABHRAM VAIDYA SEVAGRAM, June 81, 1942 BHAI VALLABHRAM, I could read the whole of your letter only today. It did help me to understand your mind but it did not satisfy me. That is because the task which you seek to accomplish cannot be accomplished with what you intend doing. Many vaidyas have raised farms of the kind you want. No doubt you can improve upon them, but you cannot reform the vaidyas. I offered to entrust my entire treatment to the vaidyas but I was disappointed. Lakshmipati wanted to settle here and made all the preparations but never turned up. I sent a patient to him whom he dismissed telling him that he was all right. The patient came back as ill as ever. I tried to lure you to come and settle down here and conduct experiments but there were difficulties in your way. 1 Pyarelal Papers has “9”. 4 THE COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI Although I have said all this my blessings are with you. Your intentions are pure; may they bear fruit. At present it is allopathy that commands enterprise, industry and knowledge. It is a developing science. It has many defects. Its pharmacopoeia is vast and yet very restricted. But it is systematic and so can draw upon whatever is special in Ayurveda. However, it is worth reflecting upon that if Ayurveda were to take what is special in allopathy the latter would be left with nothing but a few drugs. Blessings from BAPU SHRI VALLABHRAM VAIDYA 23 SAURASHTRA SOCIETY AHMEDABAD From Gujarati: C.W. 2921. Courtesy: Vallabhram Vaidya. Also Pyarelal Papers. Courtesy: Pyarelal 8. LETTER TO KRISHNACHANDRA June 8, 1942 CHI. KRISHNACHANDRA, What you say about Ram Prakashji is true, but we should have the strength to assimilate such persons. Some work should be found for them. And if they cannot do it they should be clearly told that they cannot live in the Ashram. As to your first letter all I can say is that you should continue to do the work that you have been doing. I will write whenever you say. So long as you do not have confidence in Chi. it is better to keep quiet. Blessings from BAPU From a photostat of the Hindi: G.N. 4430; also S.N. 24481 9. LETTER TO AMRIT KAUR SEVAGRAM, WARDHA, June 9, 1942 CHI. AMRIT, I am having long and pleasant chats with J. L. I have a journalist with me recommended by J. L. He leaves tomorrow. L. Fischer is his VOL. 83 : 7 JUNE, 1942 - 26 JANUARY, 1944 5 name. Khurshedbehn is still here. She has been looking after the guests. Maulana comes tonight. Here is a letter from Benares. Perhaps you remember the thing. Love. BAPU From the original: C.W. 4131. Courtesy: Amrit Kaur. Also G.N. 7440 10. LETTER TO MRIDULA SARABHAI SEVAGRAM, WARDHA, June 9, 1942 CHI. MRIDU, I have your letter. It is good the resolutions were passed. There is no harm in there having been amendments. Jawaharlal stayed at the Ashram for two days. He has gone to Wardha today because the Maulana is coming. He will now be here for at least a day. We are having discussions. S. has written to me in detail about you. In this way we often get unexpected help. He is a gentleman. Obtain the book regarding Juthabhai. I have been told about Kamala Devi being appointed President. My congratulations to her. Take care of your health. Why did you have bleeding from the nose ? Does it happen occasionally ? Your suggestions about the bulletin, etc. are good. Right now the conditions are not congenial. Let me see what can be done. This time it is likely to be a bitter fight. We are ready for anything that may happen. Blessings from BAPU From the Gujarati original: C.W. 11228. Courtesy: Sarabhai Foundation 11. LETTER TO BHAGWANDAS SEVAGRAM, June 9, 1942 BABUJI, I was delighted to have your letter. I had also received your book. I have even glanced through it. I think what I am doing these days is the thing you want. Be it as 6 THE COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI it may, I feel overwhelmed by your great effort.