Kasturba Gandhi taught Mahatma Gandhi fearlessness, righteousness and the courage to speak one’s heart mind, while Mahatma broaden her horizons to see equality among castes and religions,” said Income tax commissioner of Bhopal R K Paliwal. He was speaking on Baa’s (Kasturba) life at an event to mark Kasturba Gandhi’s 150th Birthday at Mahoniya Hall on Thursday noon. Paliwal and ADG Anuradha Shankar were the keynote speakers for the event.
Paliwal spoke about the recent work that has been done to highlight Baa’s (Kasturba) life and various institutions that have been erected in Baa’s memory, particularly Kasturba Gram. He urged that the youth should read on Kasturba and Gandhi to be inspired and spread the message instead of relying on vicious social media messages. We can also all become like Gandhi and Kasturba if we heed their lesson, which is to adopt the good qualities of everyone meet.
Besides, the event began with the welcome speech of Gandhi Bhavan secretary Dayaram Namdev. It was followed by Sarv Dharm Prarthana (all-religion prayer) and Kasturba Samman. It was followed by a cultural performance. Sunny Kumar presented a poem Bozo on Jo bapu ke bhi aage lage woh to Baa Kasturba hai, and Sanya Acharya presented Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram.
Many voluntary organisations in the city like Ansh Happiness Society, Ekta Parishad, Sarvoday, Sarokar, Go Rurban, Life School, Anant Mandi, Parvarish- the museum school organised the event to bring to the youth awareness of Kasturba Gandhi’s life and thoughts, and her contribution to society and the freedom struggle.
Male historians undermine role of women
ADG, Anuradha Shankar spoke about how Kasturba learnt from life and not school; as Gandhi’s companion since the age of seven she taught him the lesson of non-violence. She strive to highlight what she must have felt as a young married girl whose husband left her for many years and then treated the people of whole nation as his own children with his believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Kasturba Gandhi later grew into a freedom fighter in her own right, being jailed several times including in South Africa, for her leading various movements which were separate from Gandhiji. She also spoke about how the contribution of women like Kasturba is often undermined when history is written by men.
Jalja, Subadhra Behen feted with Kasturba Samman
Jalja Nair Behen and Subadhra Behen felicitated with Kasturba Samman for their contribution. Jalja Behen has been the oldest karyakarta at Gandhi Bhavan, and through her simplicity and hard work is an outstanding ideal of Gandhian values which she has tirelessly worked to promote. Subhadra Behen has worked in the slums of Indore to promote health and hygiene for women; and is a pioneer in organic farming, working to conserve various indigenous species of millet.
