Kasturba

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KASTURBA GANDHI A Woman of Simplicity, Humility and Courage (1869-1944)

Kasturba Gandhi was born on April 11, 1869 at Porbander in Gujarat. She was only seven years old when she was formally betrothed to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who was six months younger to her. The actual marriage took place six years later. Gandhiji was an English-educated gentleman always on the fast track, often drastically changing his thinking and living. Kasturba was illiterate. It was indeed an ordeal for her to keep pace with him but she did so with dignity and without reservation. She alone had the opportunity to see Gandhiji's life in all its completeness. She was the sole witness of his spiritual progress from over-indulgence in sensual pleasure to perfect brahmacharya. Gandhiji s living was very simple, but her living was even simpler. In early years of Gandhiji's struggle for equality and justice, she was very reluctant to participate while they were in South Africa. But when she realized that the prevalent civil laws of marriage did not recognize a marriage if performed in non-Christian way and as such applied to her as well, she jumped to the forefront of struggle to change those laws.lr7 the process she courted arrest. She was a strict vegetarian. While being taken to jail, Gandhi said to her :"You might have to fast in absence of vegetarian food. If you pass away, I shall worship you as the world-mother." This was the beginning of her full participation in Gandhiji's movement. While submitting her conduct in the movement to Gandhiji's leadership,

she made important contributions in Gandhiji's thoughts and conduct. Gandhiji himself had this to write about Kasturba, 'She was always a woman of strong will power.

As a newly-wed she appeared ajolly person. but by virture of her iron will, she inadvertently became my Guru in the non-violent disobedience movement.

She was very reluctant to accept Gandhiji's views on untouchability as she was very orthodox. After persistent persuasion from Bapuji, however, she eventually changed her attitude towards the Harijans and even adopted a Harijan girl and showered her with motherly affection, just as she did to her own sons. in later years of Gandhiji's movement she presented himself as a humble and

courageous person in the service of equality and justice.

There are hundreds of incidents where she showed sublime altitude and excellence of character. Once she expressed her wish that she would like that a sari specially made for her out of the yarn spun out by Bapuji be used as a shroud when she was dead. This pious wish was fulfilled when she passed away on. February 22,1944

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KASTURBA GANDHI A Woman of Simplicity, Humility and Courage (1869-1944)