'The Congress is slowly disintegrating because of its attitude
and its performance'
We have heard that the freedom movement was more active
in Bengal and the northern part of India than in the south. Is
it true?
No, I don't think you can put it that way. There were pockets
that were much more active than Madras. It all depended upon the
leadership. For example, Rajaji replicated Gandhiji's march from
his ashram to Dandi. This had a great impact in the minds of people.
During that period, did you go to the northern part of
India and meet leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, etc?
They used to visit Madras state (now known as Tamil Nadu) and other
places. I met Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and all the other leaders
when they came over here.
Otherwise, was your activity centred here?
Yes, we worked in Madras. We used to go there (northern India)
for the Congress sessions and, at that time, we could meet all
the leaders. The Congress session was a big meeting where delegates
came from all over India. Various resolutions were passed. It
was a big gathering, it used to be like a jamboree. It was an
opportunity for people from various parts of India to interact
with each other.
When did you first meet Mahatma Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi was a unique personality. I don't think such personalities
come into existence very often. More than anything else, it was
his simplicity that would attract everyone. He only wore a loin
cloth and a towel on his shoulders. But he was one of the most
attractive personalities one had ever seen. A strict disciplinarian,
he also expected others to observe discipline. He not only got
the co-operation but also the devotion of thousands of people.
People even worshipped him as an avatar.
What impressed you about Mahatma Gandhi when you first
saw him in person?
Of course, I had seen him before but I met him for the first time
when he visited Coimbatore. That was in 1934, when he undertook
the journey to popularise the Harijan movement.
He visited one of the educational institutions run by Sri Avinasilingam
Chettiar, who was a great friend of mine. I was in the Vidyalaya
at that time. Gandhiji stayed there for one night. And I was given
the great privilege of serving him. He used to get up by four
in the morning and start working immediately. It was a great experience
to be with him.
From there, he went to Conoor and remained there for four or five
days. I accompanied him on that visit.
We heard that Mahatma Gandhi wanted to dissolve the Congress
after it served its purpose?
Now they have effectively dissolved it in their own way. But this
was not the way in which Gandhiji wanted the Congress dissolved.
Today, the Congress is slowly disintegrating because of its attitude
and its performance.
Were you very hopeful about the future of India when we
won independence for the country?
Yes. It was our dream. After we attained freedom, we thought it
was possible for us to remove all the obstacles to our progress
and make our country strong. And, more than anything else, eradicate
poverty and ignorance. But we have not achieved these goals as
yet.
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