Chapter 53 Chapter 26 Two Passions

My loyalty to the British Constitution is difficult to compromise.I now understand that my love of truth is rooted in this devotion.It is impossible for me to pretend to be loyal, or to pretend to be any other virtue.At every rally I attended in Natal, there was no one who did not play the national anthem, and I felt that I should also sing with everyone.It's not that I'm unaware of the downsides of British rule, but on the whole, I think, acceptable.I believed then that the rule of the English was, on the whole, good for those who were ruled. The racial prejudice I saw in South Africa, I thought was contrary to the British tradition, and I believed that it was only a temporary and local phenomenon.So me and the Brits competed for the king's allegiance.I learned the "National Anthem" with careful persistence, and whenever it was sung, I sang along.Whenever I had an opportunity to express such devotion, I did so without pretense.

Never in my life have I abused this loyalty, nor have I ever tried to use it as a means to achieve selfish ends.As far as I am concerned, loyalty is an obligation, and I express loyalty without expecting compensation. When I returned to India, preparations were under way to celebrate Queen Victoria's sixtieth reign.Rajkot also formed a committee for this matter and I was invited to participate.I accepted the invitation, but suspected that the celebration was mostly for show.I found out that there was a lot of blackmail, and I was quite sad.I began to ask myself whether I should still be on the committee, but decided that as long as I did my part, I would be content.

One of the proposals in the celebration was the planting of trees.I see a lot of people planting trees just for show and to please the dignitaries.I have tried to convince them that planting trees is not a compulsion but a suggestion; either seriously or not at all.I get the impression that they couldn't help laughing when they heard me say that.I remember that when I planted the saplings assigned to me, I was very serious, and I also watered and looked after them carefully. I also teach the British national anthem to the children in my family.I remember teaching students at the local Teachers College, though I forget whether it was to celebrate the Queen's sixtieth reign or Edward VII's coronation as Emperor of India.This lyric later caused a conflict in my mind.As my concept of "non-violence" has matured, I have become more cautious about my thoughts and words.The lines of the national anthem especially clash with my "non-violent" sensibility: Break down her enemies so they don't stay; confuse their politics so they can thwart their schemes.

Dr. Booth thinks it's very inappropriate for a person who believes in "nonviolence" to sing these lines, and I feel the same way.Why do we assume that the so-called "enemies" are all "gangsters"?Does the enemy have to be bad guys?All we ask of God is justice.Dr. Booth fully agreed with me, and he composed a new song for the hearers.But about Dr. Booth, we will talk about it later. Like loyalty, the inclination to care is deeply rooted in my nature.I love caring for others, whether friends or strangers. While in Rajkot I was busy working on my South African pamphlet, I had an opportunity to make a quick trip to Bombay.

I planned to organize several meetings in cities on this issue to educate public opinion, and Mumbai was the first city I chose.First I met with Judge Ranald, who listened to me attentively and advised me to see Sir Firozesha Mehta.Then I went to see Judge Badruddin Thibji and he had the same opinion.He said: "Justice Rannard and I have very little to guide you; you know our position. We have little use in public affairs, but we have sympathy for you and can guide yours strongly. people, only Sir Ferozesha Mehta." Of course I would like to see Sir Ferozesia Mehta, but the fact that these two old men persuaded me to act on his advice is worth my clearer understanding that Sir Ferozesia Mehta's influence on the public is indeed very great .I saw him in time, and was prepared to bear his majesty.I had long heard of the title he had won, and knew that I was going to meet the "Lion of Bombay," "The Uncrowned King of the Province," but the emperor did not frighten me, he treated his grown son like a loving father. meet me.Our meeting took place in his dormitory, surrounded by a group of friends and devotees, including Mr. de Ye Vacha and Mr. Kama, and I was introduced.I have long heard of Mr. Vacha, who is considered Sir Ferozesha's right-hand man, and Mr. Virchan Gandhi told me that he is a great statistician.

Mr Vacha said, "Let's talk another time, Gandhi." The introductions took no more than two minutes, and Sir Ferozesha listened to me carefully.I told him I had seen Judge Ranald and Iron Boogie. "Gandhi," he said, "I see I must help you. I should call a mass meeting here." Having said this, he turned to his secretary, Mr. Munshi, and told him to fix a date for the meeting.When the date was fixed, he bid me farewell and told me to see him again on the first day of the meeting.This interview dispelled my fears, and I went home elated. During my trip to Mumbai this time, I also visited my brother-in-law, who is sick in bed.He was a poor man and my sister (his wife) was not good at taking care of him.He is very ill and I suggest taking him to Rajkot.He agreed, so I went home with my sister and brother-in-law.His illness took longer than I expected.I put him in my room and was with him day and night.I had to attend to him part of the night while I was working on the South African pamphlet, but then the patient died, and it was a great comfort to me to have the opportunity of attending to him in his dying days.

My inclination to care for others grew into such a passion that I often left my work alone, and sometimes I couldn't manage it alone, drawing not only my wife but the whole family into it. There's little point in the service unless people are having fun with it.If it is merely for appearances, or out of fear of public opinion, it hinders a man's growth and damages his spirit.If there is no joy in serving others, it will do no good to oneself or others.But when people serve others with joy, all other joys and riches are eclipsed.