Poona and Madras

Sir Phirozeshah had made my way easy. So from Bombay I went to Poona. Here there were two parties. I wanted the help of people of every shade of opinion. First I met Lokamanya Tilak. He said:

Sir Phirozeshah had made things easier for me. So I went from Bombay to Poona. There were two parties there. I wanted help from people of every opinion. First, I met Lokamanya Tilak. He said:

‘You are quite right in seeking the help of all parties. There can be no difference of opinion on the South African question. But you must have a non-party man for your president. Meet Professor Bhandarkar. He has been taking no part of late in any public movement. But this question might possibly draw him out. See him and let me know what he says. I want to help you to the fullest extent. Of course you will meet me whenever you like. I am at your disposal.’

‘You are right to seek help from all parties. There can be no disagreement on the South African question. But you must have a non-partisan person as your president. Meet Professor Bhandarkar. He has not taken part in any public movement lately. But this question might draw him out. See him and let me know what he says. I want to help you as much as I can. Of course, you can meet me whenever you like. I am at your disposal.’

This was my first meeting with the Lokamanya. It revealed to me the secret of his unique popularity.

This was my first meeting with the Lokamanya. The meeting showed me the secret of his unique popularity.

Next I met Gokhale. I found him on the Fergusson College grounds. He gave me an affectionate welcome, and his manner immediately won my heart. With him too this was my first meeting, and yet it seemed as though we were renewing an old friendship. Sir Phirozeshah had seemed to me like the Himalaya, the Lokamanya like the ocean. But Gokhale was as the Ganges. One could have a refreshing bath in the holy river. The Himalaya was unscaleable, and one could not easily launch forth on the sea, but the Ganges invited one to its bosom. It was a joy to be on it with a boat and an car. Gokhale closely examined me, as a schoolmaster would examine a candidate seeking admission to a school. He told me whom to approach and how to approach them. He asked to have a look at my speech. He showed me over the College, assured me that he was always at my disposal, asked me to let him know the result of the interview with Dr. Bhandarkar and sent me away exultantly happy. In the sphere of politics the place that Gokhale occupied in my heart during his life-time and occupies even now has been and is absolutely unique.

Next I met Gokhale on the Fergusson College grounds. He welcomed me warmly, and his manner immediately won my heart. This was also my first meeting with him, yet it felt as though we were renewing an old friendship. Sir Phirozeshah had seemed to me like the Himalaya, and the Lokamanya like the ocean. But Gokhale was like the Ganges. One could take a refreshing bath in the holy river. The Himalaya could not be climbed, and one could not easily set out on the sea. But the Ganges invited one into its embrace. It was a joy to be on the river in a boat with an oar. Gokhale questioned me closely, as a schoolmaster would question a candidate seeking admission to a school. He told me whom to approach and how to approach them. He asked to see my speech and showed me around the College. He assured me that he was always at my disposal. He asked me to tell him the result of my interview with Dr. Bhandarkar. I left him filled with joy. In politics, the place Gokhale held in my heart during his lifetime was absolutely unique. It remains so even now.

Dr. Bhandarkar received me with the warmth of a father. It was noon when I called on him. The very fact that I was busy seeing people at that hour appealed greatly to this indefatigable savant, and my insistence on a non-party man for the president of the meeting had his ready approval which was expressed in the spontaneous exclamation, ‘That’s it,’ ‘That’s it.’

Dr. Bhandarkar welcomed me with the warmth of a father. I called on him at noon. This tireless scholar was greatly pleased that I was busy meeting people at that hour. He also readily approved of my insistence that someone outside any party should chair the meeting. He exclaimed spontaneously, ‘That’s it,’ ‘That’s it.’

After he had heard me out he said: ‘Any one will tell you that I do not take part in politics. But I cannot refuse you. Your case is so strong and your industry is so admirable, that I cannot decline to take part in your meeting. You did well in consulting Tilak and Gokhale. Please tell them, that I shall be glad to preside over the meeting to be held under the joint auspices of the two Sabhas. You need not have the time of the meeting from me. Any time that suits them will suit me.’ With this he bade me good-bye with congratulations and blessings.

After he had heard me out, he said: ‘Anyone will tell you that I do not take part in politics. But I cannot refuse you. Your case is so strong and your hard work so admirable that I cannot decline to take part in your meeting. You did well to consult Tilak and Gokhale. Please tell them that I will be glad to chair the meeting held jointly by the two Sabhas. You do not need to ask me what time to hold the meeting. Any time that suits them will suit me.’ With that, he said goodbye, offering his congratulations and blessings.

Without any ado this erudite and selfless band of workers in Poona held a meeting in an unostentatious little place, and sent me away rejoicing and more confident of my mission.

Without fuss, this group of learned and selfless workers held a meeting in a modest little place in Poona. I left rejoicing and more confident in my mission.

I next proceeded to Madras. It was wild with enthusiasm. The Balasundaram incident made a profound impression on the meeting. My speech was printed and was, for me, fairly long. But the audience listened to every word with attention. At the close of the meeting there was a regular run on the ‘Green Pamphlet.’ I brought out a second and revised edition of 10,000 copies. They sold like hot cakes, but I saw that it was not necessary to print such a large number. In my enthusiasm I had overcalculated the demand. It was the English-speaking public to which my speech had been addressed, and in Madras that class alone could not take the whole ten thousand.

I next went to Madras. The city was wildly enthusiastic. The Balasundaram incident made a deep impression on the audience at the meeting. My speech was printed and was fairly long for me. But the audience listened carefully to every word. At the end of the meeting, there was a rush to buy the ‘Green Pamphlet.’ I published a revised second edition of 10,000 copies. They sold like hotcakes, but I saw that printing so many had not been necessary. In my enthusiasm, I had overestimated the demand. My speech had been addressed to the English-speaking public, and in Madras that group alone could not buy all ten thousand copies.

The greatest help here came to me from the late Sjt. G. Parameshvaran Pillay, the editor of the Madras Standard. He had made a careful study of the question, and he often invited me to his office and gave me guidance. Sjt. G. Subrahmaniam of the Hindu and Dr. Subrahmaniam also were very sympathetic. But Sjt. G. Parameshvaran Pillay placed the columns of the Madras Standard entirely at my disposal, and I freely availed myself of the offer. The meeting in Pachaiappa Hall, so far as I can recollect, was with Dr. Subrahmaniam in the chair.

The greatest help came from the late Sjt. G. Parameshvaran Pillay, editor of the Madras Standard. He had studied the issue carefully. He often invited me to his office and gave me guidance. Sjt. G. Subrahmaniam of the Hindu and Dr. Subrahmaniam were also very sympathetic. But Sjt. G. Parameshvaran Pillay let me use the columns of the Madras Standard as I wished. I freely accepted his offer. As far as I can remember, Dr. Subrahmaniam chaired the meeting at Pachaiappa Hall.

The affection showered on me by most of the friends I met, and their enthusiasm for the cause were so great, that in spite of my having to communicate with them in English, I felt myself entirely at home. What barrier is there that love cannot break?

Most of the friends I met showed me great affection and enthusiasm for the cause. So, even though I had to speak with them in English, I felt completely at home. What barrier can love not break?