For the last few years, it has become customary for me to attend the Gandhi Jayanti function on October 2, at Gandhi Bhavan, organized by Karnataka unit of Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Kumara Park West, Bangalore. Although, I have not imbibed any of Gandhian values, somehow, I feel I am missing something if I did not attend the function on the day and the very ambience at the Gandhi bhavan rekindles the spirit and gives refreshing outlook to the life from the mundane routine of daily existence. And the day also gives an opportunity for one to remember Gandhiji at least once in a year and pay tributes to this great soul.
It’s a collaborated effort of Government of Karnataka, Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi and other like-minded institutions and usually the chief minister would be the chief guest and other ministers and government functionaries would also attend. Apart from freedom fighters and Gandhian enthusiasts, school children and general public also take part in the function amid tight police security.
The program usually begins an hour behind the scheduled start at 9:30 AM During this interlude, to keep the audience engaged, veteran freedom fighters speak their experiences and share their moments of freedom struggle and emphasize on sacrifices made by the freedom fighters. And budding singers sing some patriotic songs. While in the program, some sit attentively and witness the proceedings, some look here and there and some other stifle the yawn and curse for the delay and eagerly wait for the chief ministers arrival. And an elderly group clad in pure khadi exchange pleasantries and engross themselves in a friendly banter without ever bothering about the arrival of the chief guest since it is once in a year opportunity for them that offers a chance to meet and chat. In the mean time some of the audience would go out and make a round of the whole building. And I belong to this last category and walk on the corridors of the Gandhi Bahavan
Walking on the sprawling lawns of the Bhavan is an experience in itself and serenity pervading in the area touches ones soul. On the walls of the Bhavan engraved are the timeless sayings of Gandhiji like this one, “I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. Another one, “The best way to find you is to lose yourself in the service of others”. And other one, “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” And one more is “Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.” Like these quotes adorn the bhavan inner walls and these soul-stirring quotes make one stand still for a while and ponder over them for a few minutes. In the lawns a few yards aside there is book exhibition that extensively showcase the life and times of Gandhiji and other leaders like Vinobha Bhave, Nehru Subhash Bose and the like and that gives an opportunity for one to glance through the pages and get glimpses of these great lives.
Over the years, among dignitaries who grace the occasion one permanent guest is Shri Patil Puttappa a veteran kannada journalist, a raconteur par excellence who speaks last on the occasion and his speech would include short stories and metaphors that give some rare insights on Gandhi as a person and throw light on his life.
The program would conclude at 12:30 PM and after that there would be luncheon hosted for all who have attended the program. Veteran freedom fighters and public gather at the sprawling lawns of the Bhavan to partake the lunch served. And during which time we would also have an opportunity to meet some interesting persons who come from different walks of life. This time around I met an old burly foreign lady on white sari sporting a think vermilion on her forehead with toothy smile and we got acquainted each other, I came to know her name as 'Sai Amma' and was an ashrmaite of whilefiled Sai Ashram till recently and now she has been transferred to Puttaparhti and she leads a nomadic life.
She was in need of lodging; I introduced her to the Gandhi bhavan voluntaries to help her. I thought, at least on the birthday of Gandhi, I should be of some service to others. Later when she insisted me on charging her vodafone mobile and I took an escapist route…
Soon after the program, a few Gandhi Bhavan inmates, who have become friends to me, would closet me and we exchange pleasantries and banter a few minutes on some proverbial issues after that these friends of mine take me to meet Shri Patil Puttappa and as he is an eminent journalist and has witness to many of the landmark events preceding to formation of Karnataka State always surrounded with people. Despite his advanced age, Puttappa is very alert and his very presence creates an aura and people surrounding him eagerly wait to hear him.
On these occasions, he nostalgically recollects some very interesting and rare moments of his life like how he once met Jawaharlal Nehru, when he was walking on the lawns of his bungalow in Delhi, Puttappa sighted him and went near him and uttered sir, then Nehru turned back and saw in the direction from where the voice came from and then entertained Puttappa to meet him and also shook hand with him. Puttappa remembers this gesture of Nehru very gratefully. He also says, many believed that Nehru was a rich man but he had his own share of economic difficulties and at one time he had no money to run his kitchen.
Puttappa also mentions poignantly how Lal Bhadur Shastri was frugal and not allowed government exchequer to pay for his personal expenses. Once Shastriji came to know that his wife Smt Lalita Shastri was left with excess money after the household expenses then he further cut the share and brought it to the bare minimum.
Like these and many such anecdotes and stories enrich me during the course of my meeting with this veteran nonagenarian journalist Puttappa and he always exudes a positive energy and tell the youngsters to cultivate a positive attitude in life. With the joy being part of one fine function, I walk back home with the satisfaction of a day well spent.
