Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Committed to Gandhism

PersonalityoftheWeek

S. Aravamudhan. — Photo: M. Govarthan

Coimbatore: Talking Gandhi and Gandhianism is easy. What is difficult though is being a Gandhian. That is what distinguishes S. Aravamudhan, Honorary Treasurer and Trustee of the Gandhi Ashram, Tiruchengodu, from others.

His commitment to being a Gandhian is best demonstrated by the fact that in 1963 when he was only 25 years old, he gave up a Rs. 250 job with the Public Works Department to join the ashram for only Rs. 100.

During his long innings with the ashram, he streamlined the organisation, helping it recover from loss. He closed down a few loss-making units, started new ones and steered the ashram to financial stability.

To this day, Mr. Aravamudhan, a man of few words, wears only khadi, which also sits gracefully on him. He speaks to Karthik Madhavan about the running of the ashram, its relevance in today's globalised world and Gandhism.

Mr. Aravamudhan is not worried about the relevance of Gandhism. He says the question of relevance of the ashram and its principles does not at all arise, however fast a society may change.

"Our economic principle is production by the masses and for the masses, which will continue to hold meaning as long as there are hungry stomachs, and hands to work in the society, even in a globalised world.

"Take for example our khadi, 70 per cent of the production cost of which goes towards labour. Such a high labour component, because of the production methods, is rare in most industries and also the reason behind our success," he points out.

He says that the ashram is for people who believe in making a living by hard work and dignity of labour. He cites the example of an elderly destitute woman, who lives by working at the ashram.

"Unnamalai is a visually challenged person from nearby Pudupalayam village. She makes ends meet by breaking open cottonseeds at the ashram. Some 23 years ago, she had nowhere to go and came here. She now lives independently, thanks to the ashram," he said. Helping the less privileged is fine but how does the ashram compete with companies and multi nationals?

Mr. Aravamudhan says Gandhian principles lend a helping hand. "Our incense sticks are made from locally available material. It makes production cheap. Besides, in a few segments of manufacturing we have converted waste into wealth, which again gives us the price advantage in the market," he said.

In the past few years in the local incense sticks market, the ashram retains the number one slot despite competition. It brings in revenue of over Rs. 70 lakh a year.

In sticking to Gandhian principles, Mr. Aravamudhan, is, however, not averse to modernisation and technology upgrades.

Dispelling the myth that Gandhi was opposed to industrialisation, he says one has to change in keeping with the times, provided the changes are in conformity with basic Gandhian principles.

He cites the example of the ashram automating segments of yarn manufacturing to substantiate his point. While sticking to the core principles, the ashram has always tried to remain abreast of developments, especially in technology and costing. It has to remain competitive.

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