It was on 13th
January 1934. Gandhiji was on a visit to Badakara. He was addressing a
gathering there. Immediately after his address he requested the crowd to make
contributions to the cause they were fighting for. Kaumudi, a 16 year old girl
slowly and hesitantly walked towards the dais. She removed a bangle from her
hand and placed it before Gandhiji and requested for his autograph.
While he
was obliging her with his signature she offered him her second bangle as well.
To this Gandhiji suggested “you don’t need to do this; just give me one bangle
and I shall give you my autograph” Kaumudi
responded to this by removing and offering her gold chain also. Seeing her
determination Gandhiji asked the girl whether she has the permission to do so
from her parents and elders. Silence was her response.
Subsequently Kaumudi offered
her ear-rings. Gandhiji reminded her that she should not be making any new
ornaments in replacement to those she had donated. Kaumudi promised that she will be not be wearing
any sort of ornaments in her life anymore and also will never pester her
parents for that. Handing over her the autograph Gandhiji commented “The
sacrifice you are making is very much superior than the ornaments that you have
discarded now”.
Post Script.
I saw this story in
today’s Mathrubhumi daily. I call this sacrifice a mammoth one; much much
greater than a million dollar contribution. If you understand the psychology of
a normal Indian rustic girl of sixteen and her equation with ornaments you will
appreciate it. I do understand it and the story moistened my eyes.
We are celebrating the
birth Day of that great man today. I am dedicating this blog to the memory of that
unknown girl from Badakara. Kindly try to tell your children about Kaumudi and
her sacrifice. I strongly feel that the present generation should know it.
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