GR practised what he preached
V.S.Hareendranadh
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G. Ramachandran, a staunch Gandhian, started Gandhigram and other institutions. This year is his birth centenary.
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STAUNCH GANDHIAN: G. Ramachandran, whose birth centenary is being celebrated.
The people of Kerala will always remember G. Ramachandran, (GR, as his followers called him) an ardent disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. His life was a golden string that bound two generations together - one that won Independence for India and the other that enjoyed its fruits.
Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore had a deep influence on Dr. Ramachandran, drawing him into the mainstream of the nation's life at its most crucial and decisive period. Under their leadership, GR grew to be a nation builder who left his indelible mark on the nation's life. Even his marriage to Dr. Soundram had a revolutionary tinge, as it was an inter-caste widow remarriage.
He was active in all movements intended for liberation and the development people right from the grass-roots level. He spent a lifetime working for community sanitation, basic education and welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. The establishment of foundations like Gandhigram, Gandhi Peace Foundation and Gandhigram Rural University was a natural outcome of his life long and tireless service to his people.
G.Ramachandran's uncommon integrity and unswerving belief in Gandhiji's ideals helped him practise what he preached. GR founded the Madhavimandiram Loka Seva Trust to further the Gandhian ideal that the effort to uplift India should begin at the smallest unit - the Village.
The Trust has comprehensive welfare and development plans for people of all ages-ranging from child development centres to old age homes. Ramachandran established the Dr. GR Public School in Neyyattinkara in the true spirit of a Gandhian educationist.
Rabindranath Tagore also fascinated him a lot. The fascination led him to Vishwabharathi in Santinikethan. It was at Santhinikethan that GR evolved his motto in life :"free-frank-fearless". GR's first encounter with Gandhiji was during his 21-day fast at Dilkush in Delhi. In GR's own words, "This truth came to me in a flash that God existed and ruled the conscience of mankind. The intellect might not reach God and reason might also fail to know God. But, God did exist.
"The spirit of God appeared to hover close within the room. This man had brought God into the room. I felt it unmistakably within my mind. I said to my self, I may never see God, nor know God, but this human symbol proved the truth of Godhood. I would follow the man who had brought God into the room". GR kept the pledge till his last breath.
In fact GR had the privilege of getting educated at Santhinikethan and Sabarmati. Santhinikethan gave him more intellectual and cultural experience while Sabarmati trained him in heart searching and purifying experience.
Gandhiji found an apt disciple in GR, who was soon given important assignments, one after the other. Soon GR found himself in Gandhi Adhramam in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Rajagopalachari. It was only a matter of time before GR was chosen to lead the battle against untouchability through the Harijan Sevak Sangh as its secretary in Tiruchy and Madurai.
When Mahatma Gandhi launched the salt satyagraha at Dandi, Ramachandran was asked to join the movement in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Rajagopalachari. After the arrest of Rajaji, Ramachandran assumed the leadership of the Vedaranyam camp on the third day. He was arrested and sentenced to one year and three months rigorous imprisonment in Cuddalore jail.
As the Editor of Indian Express, G Ramachandran attacked the Viceroy in sharp words. Later, GR became a Minister in the Pattom Thanu Pillai cabinet in Travancore.
In 1947 with a handful of workers, GR and Dr. Soundram started their venture at Gandhigram. Today, Gandhigram has a rural university, an institute of family planning and a big hospital. GR's services to the nation as Secretary of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and as founder of Gandhi Peace Foundation and chairman of All India Khadi and Village Industries Commission would always be remembered.
After 75 years of long service, this grand old `young man' returned to his home town in Kerala - Neyyattinkara. He founded the Madhavi Mandiram Loka Seva Trust on October 2, 1980 by donating his properties.
GR was active, alert and dynamic till his death on January 17, 1995 at the age of 91. For those who were closely associated with GR, but did not have the privilege to witness the life and times of Gandhiji he was always the living symbol of the great Mahatma. GR was an inspiration for his followers. His rightful follower, Sister Mythili, keeps the flame alive. The ideals of Gandhini and GR would continue to have relevance in the modern world. (This writer was a close associate of G.Ramachandran )
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