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Orissa Review * September-October - 2008

Vinoba Bhave : A Genious

B.K.B. Mahapatra

Inspired with a love for divine, the distinctive in . From the beginning he had joined the feature of the Indian genius is simplicity, . He is an expert both in cleaning and selflessness and inspiration. cooking. There was no smell of untouchability in Who is a Genius his heart. He has the same dimension of communal harmony as I have. He has read the original In the true Indian heritage, intellectual or Quoran in Arabic language for one year in order artistic ability has never been considered sufficient to understand the fundamentals of Islam. He has in itself. "Genius" has no direct equivalent in the kept his relation with neighbour Muslims lively. Indian language. "Vidwan" is a scholar, pundit or Vinoba agrees that political independence is "Ustaad" as accomplished artist or academician, required for . Vinoba made a statement at but both of these do not capture the superlative Porbandar Ashram against the British war. The quality connected with a genius in quite same way, British Govt. didn't arrest him instantly. After four Mahatma (Great Soul) perhaps comes closest. years of his statement he was arrested and The word itself clearly signifies that what India remained in jail for three months. values most is the quality of the soul. In 1942 'Quit India' Movement of Gandhiji In this context let us discuss Santh Vinoba started. The British Government did not listen to Bhave. He was the first General in the National the demands of the people. Gandhiji, therefore, Movement for independence. These were the called for 'Do or Die'. Again in the same year days of independence. Gandhiji had to nominate Vinoba was arrested. After reaching the Vinoba Bhave to lead the freedom struggle even Jail, he told the Superintendent of the jail "every if Nehru was present at that time. Till that time no time we were cooperating with you, but this time one knew who Vinoba was. Most of the Congress there will be non-cooperation in the jail." At this men knew Vinoba. The answer to this question the employees of the Wardha jail were astounded. Mahatma wrote in the Harizon. Some extracts Mahatma knew pretty well the personality of have been given below. Vinoba Bhave. The decision of Vinoba to fast Who is Vinoba ? Why did I select him for reached the ears of Mahatma . the struggle ? Why didn't I select another instead Immediately Gandhi asked Vinoba not to fast. of him ? The reason is that before I came to India Vinoba treated the words of Gandhi as order. Vinoba had left college. He was an erudite scholar So he desisted from .

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Why Gandhi nominated Vinoba to be the hoped that truth and non-violence would be leader of the Movement ? Mahadev effaced from the earth. But Gandhiji said that Desai by way of commenting told that not now "after me Vinoba would be the leader of the but after a few years from now the people will Movement of non-violence and truth." know what Vinoba is. After independence the refugee problem The days for freedom of India became of the Hindu and the Muslim became grave. The nearer and nearer. Similarly, the diplomacy of the sky with resounding was the wailing of the helpless British Government became more and more. The children, young men and women. Nehru had quest of dividing India into two raised. Mahatma unbounded faith in Vinoba. After the passing away Gandhi said at that time that if would be of Gandhiji, Nehru became an orphan. He was in created that would be done on his grave yard. search of a man who would render advice to him He dreamt of an undivided India. On the other in adversity. Suddenly the name and fame of hand the Muslims League thought that Mahatma Vinoba came to his mind. Nehru consulted Vinoba was supporting the Hindus. Due to the on refugee problem. In order to solve this misunderstanding, 17th August of 1946 will be problem, Vinoba began touring throughout the recorded as a memorable day. The entire Calcutta north India. Many refugees were living without city turned to be a city of commotion of Hindu- tents. Several refugees did not have an additional Muslim disharmony. A lot of life and property cloth except the one to wear. Many of them were were devastated. As a result, the National shivering in chilly winter. Pointing out to the Delhi Congress admitted the division of India as India citizens, Vinoba said that they should be well and Pakistan. The head of a household makes a acquainted with the problem of the refugees. Then colossal sacrifice for the welfare of his family. His sons do not abide by the instructions of their they should treat the refugees as neighbours. They father. At that time the head says that the sons should be kind to the refugees. are well up and do not obey their head. "Who After the sad demise of Gandhiji, workers listens of my advice ? I am an unnecessary and from all organizations together formed Sarvaseva unwarranted old man. Everybody has assumed Sangha. The responsibility of the organization fell that I am an underrated person." On 15th August, on Vinoba. The aim of this organization was to 1947 India became free. But communal do good to all. disturbances continued. Gandhiji walked on foot to Nuakhali. The disharmony subsided. Gandhiji The difference between the rich and the got severe mental stress. poor touched Vinoba's heart. For that only he wanted a socialistic society. Wherever he went, At last the inauspicious Friday, the 30th he found the people's financial condition was very January, 1948 came. grave. Even after independence, the succumbed to the gunfire of . independence of the people were starving. For All the Indians throughout the country cried like establishment of people, we have to make a non- babies. But Vinoba practiced the precepts of the violent society. Those who had wealth would be Geeta. He maintained equilibrium between treated only as trustees. The unemployed youth happiness and sorrow. should shun the temptation of service. The second Gandhiji was the epitome of non-violence session of Samaja was held in Orissa and truth. After the sad demise of Mahatma he and the third in Hyderabad.

57 Orissa Review * September-October - 2008

Vinobaji set off for Telengana after hearing age and poor health marched eminently, touring the news of revolt of the peasants. After reaching from one State to another. The total land so there he saw the colossal oppression was meted collected finally reached over four million acres. out to the farmers. The farmers got their dues not There were certain pitfalls. Much of the land so proportion to their labour. They demanded one collected found out to be useless. Some land part of production out of three parts of production owners did not keep their promise. Still one million as a result of propagation of the socialist party. acres of land were distributed to India's landless Thus a confrontation between the cultivators and poor. the owners of land ensured. The Police meted The remarkable feature of his foot journey out untold suffering to the farmers. Vinoba cried is that to change the heart of the people of the to see the heinous sight. He asked the farmers Chambal valley. Over hundred and hundred years how they would be happy. One of them said they of years, both the sides of the Chambal River were had not even a decimal of land. Who would give full of dense forests. The residents of the locality them land ? So Vinoba asked how much land were anti-socials and killing human beings. Since they required. With folded hands the head of the the British regime till independence, their village said that if eighty acres of land was oppression remained unchanged. Even every available that would be sufficient. Vinobaji was mother would kill her baby by way of making in a fix. He was a fakir. How he could arrange so him sleep that "when you grow up, be a hero just much of land ? The next day in the prayer meeting like your father." Vinoba went from village to he implored the farmers that if any farmer would village and saw poverty was the root cause of all donate his additional land. The present crowd discontent. The wealthy villagers became panicked stood silently at the request. A prominent person and took help of the Police. Vinoba thought that of the village stood up and said," Sir, I am ready by equally distributing wealth the discontent will to give one hundred acres." not be removed. The problem will be solved by Vinoba himself couldn't believe that in the changing the hearts by love and affection. The midst of the civil war over land monopoly, a robbers of the Chambal Valley should have the farmer was willing to part with 100 acres of land social status. of simple generosity. He was again surprised then He convinced the robbers that the dacoits when the Harijans declared that they needed only were not available only in the forests of the 80 acres of land and would not accept more. Thus Chambal Valley but in the garb of gentle men of Vinoba saw a solution to the problem and began Delhi, Calcutta and Bhopal. . Over the next seven weeks, Vinoba asked for donations of land for the landless in 200 villages of Telengana. Soon Vinoba and his colleagues collected 1000 acres of land a day, then 2000, then 3000. Several hundred small teams of Sarvodaya workers and volunteers began trekking from village to village, all over India, collecting land in B.K.B Mohapatra lives at C-126, Baramunda H.B. Vinoba's name. Vinoba himself despite advanced Colony, Bhubaneswar - 751003.

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