Why did Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba argue over donating the precious necklace?

The unbreakable relationship between Bapu and Kasturba is a unique example of love, discipline and sacrifice. Whatever experiments Mahatma Gandhi did in his life, his wife Kasturba i.e. Ba always remained with him. Even though Mahatma Gandhi is not among us today, despite this, research is being done on him all over the world. Books are being written. This is because there are many aspects of his personality, which inspire people.

On the occasion of the birthday (11th April) of his wife Kasturba Gandhi, who was with Mahatma Gandhi every moment of his life, we will know some interesting stories related to the life of Bapu and Ba. Which shows their deep love and dedication.

Sacrificing life’s salt for Ba

This incident is the biggest proof of Bapu’s sacrifice and his love for Kasturba. Kasturba Gandhi once fell very ill during her stay in South Africa. He complained of anemia and body weakness. Doctors advised him to completely stop consuming salt and pulses in his food, so that his health could improve.

Kasturba was finding it very difficult to give up salt. When Mahatma Gandhi convinced him to give up salt, Ba argued that without salt food was tasteless and it was almost impossible to give it up. Ba laughingly said to Mahatma Gandhi – If you have to give up salt, will you be able to give it up?

Bapu took this challenge very seriously. He immediately decided that he himself would give up salt and pulses. Bapu said that he would not consume salt for a year. Bapu kept the vow he took to boost his wife’s morale all his life. Kasturba was stunned to see this dedication of her husband and she also happily started abstaining.

lesson of study and discipline

Mahatma wanted Kasturba to also be educated. In the initial days of marriage, Bapu tried a lot to teach her. He wanted Ba to learn to read and write. Kasturba was not much interested in studies. He found it difficult to find time between household chores and responsibilities.

One day Bapu gave Ba some letters to write. Ba refused to write due to his fatigue. Bapu was a little angry at this, but instead of anger he chose the path of silence. He explained to Ba that education is the path to self-respect.

Kasturba realized that her husband was working hard for her better future. After this Ba gradually learned to read and write Gujarati. She often accompanied Bapu to public meetings. There she used to explain the importance of education to women. This incident shows how Mahatma Gandhi changed Ba’s life through inspiration rather than pressure.

Precious necklace and resolution of simplicity

When Mahatma Gandhi was leaving South Africa and returning to India, the people there gave him many valuable gifts as a farewell. There were also gold and diamond ornaments among them. Kasturba was gifted a special necklace. Mahatma Gandhi believed that a public servant did not have the right to keep expensive gifts.

Bapu decided to donate all those jewels to the public trust. Kasturba did not like this. She argued that the jewelery would be useful in her children’s weddings. He also said that the jewelery is a reward for his hard work and service.

There was a lot of debate between Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba. Bapu asked Baa if she couldn’t be happy without jewellery? At last Ba succumbed to Bapu’s simplicity. He returned all his precious jewellery. After that day, Kasturba made simplicity her jewel. She wore Khadi all her life and stayed away from all things related to luxury.

protest against cleanliness and untouchability

Mahatma Gandhi considered cleanliness as a religion. Many guests used to come to his house in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi’s rule was that every member of the house, even if he belonged to a high family, would clean his own utensils and toilets. Once a guest refused to clean the toilet.

Mahatma Gandhi himself took up the responsibility of cleaning it. Kasturba felt very bad seeing this. She was a woman with traditional thoughts and believed in untouchability. He opposed Bapu and refused to clean with tears in his eyes.

Mahatma Gandhi told Baa in a very calm voice that if she did not believe in this ideology, then she should stay away. This harsh truth of Bapu shocked Ba. He understood what equality meant. He abandoned his old thinking. After this, Ba not only cleaned his house but also worked with people of every class in the ashram.

Unbreakable togetherness behind bars

Mahatma Gandhi went to jail several times during the freedom movement. Kasturba never lagged behind. Mahatma Gandhi was arrested during the Quit India Movement of 1942. After Bapu left, Kasturba decided to address the meetings. The police arrested him also.

He was kept in the Aga Khan Palace in Pune. There Baa’s health deteriorated greatly. She had become very weak. Yet he refused to apologize or compromise with the British. She continued praying for the country even inside the jail.

On 22 February 1944, Kasturba died in jail. Bapu was with him during his last moments. Ba breathed her last by placing her head in Bapu’s lap. This was the biggest sorrow for Mahatma Gandhi. He had said that Baa was the basis of his life. After Ba’s death, Bapu went into even greater simplicity and silence.

These stories related to the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba are just examples. There are many unknown stories of his life which are not known to the general public. Seen in this way, the lives of Gandhi and Ba are a lesson for today’s society. The story of leaving salt was not only related to salt, but it was a symbol of sympathy towards the fellow. Bapu taught that reform should start from oneself.

Mahatma Gandhi never considered Ba as his property. He respected Ba as a companion and a warrior. Kasturba also left her old beliefs and embraced Bapu’s ideals. This is the story of the trust between the two, which gave a new direction to the Indian freedom struggle. Bapu’s strict discipline and Ba’s loving support had made Sabarmati Ashram a family.

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