Chapter 54 Chapter XXVII. The Bombay Rally.

On the day my brother-in-law died, I had to go to Bombay to attend a public meeting, and there was no time to think about my speech.After days and nights of restless anxiety and exertion, I was exhausted and my voice had become hoarse.So I was totally at the mercy of God when I went to Bombay.I never dreamed of writing my own speeches. In accordance with Sir Ferrozesha's instructions, I reported in person at his office at 5:00 p.m. on the eve of the meeting. "Is your speech ready, Gandhi?" he asked. "Not yet, sir," I said timidly, "I want to speak extemporaneously."

"That doesn't work in Bombay. It's not good to give a presentation here. If we want to get anything out of this conference, you should write your speech and it must be printed by tomorrow morning. I hope you can get out of here." , will it work?" I was nervous, but I said I could do my best. "Then, tell me: when can Mr. Meng Xi come to your place to pick up the manuscript?" "Eleven o'clock at night," I said.It was only when I went to the assembly the next day that I realized that Sir Ferrozesha's opinion was justified.The Congress was held in the hall of the Sir Kwasji Jehangir Institute.I have heard that whenever Sir Ferozesha Mehta speaks, the hall is always full, and the main ones are the students who love to listen to him, and the hall is packed to the brim.It was the first time in my experience to attend such a rally.I knew my voice was heard by very few, and I was shaking a little when I began to read my speech.Sir Frozesha kept telling me to read it aloud, to cheer me up.And my feeling is: instead of increasing my courage, it made my voice weaker.

My old friend, Mr. Kosafrau de Hipante, came to my aid, and I gave him my speech.His voice was just right, but the audience didn't want to hear it; shouts of "Wacha," "Wacha" resounded in the hall.Mr. Huacha stood up and read the speech, which worked well.The audience fell completely silent until the end, interrupting his reading of his speech now and then with applause and - when necessary - cries of "shame".This brightened my heart. Sir Ferrozesha liked this speech.I feel supremely happy.This rally won me the active sympathy of Dehipant and a friend of Bosch; whose name I will not mention for the moment, because today he is a senior official in the government.Both of them expressed their determination to work with me in South Africa.But Mr. S. M. Koch, who was then a judge of the small cases court, stopped the Bosch friend, because the Bosch friend was planning to get married.He had to choose between getting married and going to South Africa, and he finally chose the former.However, Bash Rustonji changed his mind and repented, and a group of Bosch sisters are still doing the weaving work themselves to atone for the girl who got in the way.So I happily forgave that couple.Dehipanth didn't intend to marry, but he didn't leave either.Today he is doing enough work to make up for his breach of promise.On my way back to South Africa, I met a member of the Tebuji family in Zanziba. He also promised to help me, but he never came.Mr. Abbas Tebuji is now also trying to make amends for that breach of trust.So my three attempts to induce the lawyer to go to South Africa were fruitless.

Speaking of this, I think of Mr. Bestunji Badshah.Since I studied abroad in the UK, I have maintained a friendly relationship with him.I first met him in a vegetarian restaurant in London.I know his brother, Mr. Bharaj Badshah, because he is known as "the weirdo".I haven't met him, but friends say he's weird.He didn't ride in a carriage because he had pity for horses, he had an extraordinary memory but he didn't want to take a degree, he had an independent spirit, and he was a vegetarian, though a Persian.Bestunji did not have such a great reputation, but when he was in London, he was known for his erudition.

What we have in common, however, is vegetarianism, not knowledge, which is beyond my reach. I saw him again in Bombay.He is the Clerk of the High Court.When I met him, he was busy compiling an advanced dictionary of the Gujarati language.Whenever I meet friends, I always ask them to help me with my work in South Africa.But instead of helping me, Bestunji Badshah advised me not to go back to South Africa. "It's impossible to help you," he said, "but I tell you the truth, I don't even approve of your going to South Africa. Don't we have jobs in our country? Now you see, there are a lot of them in our language." Things to do. I'm going to find some scientific words. But it's just one of the jobs. Just think how poor this country is. We in South Africa, needless to say, have difficulties, but I don't want people like you to die for that kind of work. Let's fight for autonomy here first, and then we will naturally help our fellow countrymen there. I know I can't convince you, but I will never encourage anyone like you Such a person will die with you."

I don't like this advice, but it makes me respect Mr. Bestunji Badshar all the more.I was deeply moved by his love for his country and his love for his language.This conversation has brought us closer to each other.I can understand his point of view.However, I did not give up my job in South Africa, but strengthened my determination.A patriot does not take lightly any work done in service to his country.For me, a few words in the "Jida Jing" are very clear and have weight: Fulfill your own responsibility, even if you fail; fulfill your responsibility for others, even if you succeed, you will still fail.Duty to die, not due to illness; don't seek other ways, just wandering around.