Rajaji

Rajaji -1
Rajaji had something interesting to say about celebrating birthdays. He felt that in our country we went too far in the matter of celebrating birthdays of grown-up persons. Suppose we admire a leader we celebrate every birthday of his. Is this quite necessary? Suppose we celebrate his 50th, 60th, 70th and so on. We shall be honouring him once in 10 years. Is this not enough?
It is different with children. There is nothing wrong in observing it every year for a little one. But, certainly there is no propriety in observing the birth anniversaries of grown-up leaders every year as we may do for children. We do go too far in declaring holidays. We seem to think that the best way to show respect for a great person or great event is to give up work on that day. The folly is self-evident.
Some persons once went to Rajaji to discuss with him about the birth centenary of Gandhiji. He said, “But, we do not see Gandhiji in the political, social or economic spheres in the country. In this state of affairs you are thinking of celebrating the Gandhi birth centenary. You are brave men!”

Rajaji – 2

Rajaji wrote in his diary when he was in prison in 1921:

“Freedom will come; but immediately thereafter or even for a long time it may not bring the people happiness or a good government. As soon as freedom comes, there will be a scramble for elected places; in its wake will come corruption. Injustice and the wickedness caused by money and an inefficient administration. The life of the people will be like hell. Many will feel that the older regime, which was comparatively more just, efficient and honest, was better. What we get from our independence will be only freedom from indignity and slavery. Our future lies in making our youngsters good citizens by giving them from early days an education, which is likely to create good conduct, righteousness and mutual love. If that is not done, it is certain that they will be crushed under the wickedness of injustice and wealth.”

Rajaji – 3

Rajaji never sought fame. He did not attach any importance to it. He knew that he was not exceptionally popular; he knew that quite often those who agreed with his views were very few. Once somebody mentioned this to him. He replied, “Our ancient sages did not give up their firm belief because they did not have many followers.”

Rajaji - 4

It was Shakespeare class. The lecturer was Emmanuel Raja in Loyola College.

Hamlet dubs Polonius as ‘these tedious old fools.’ Raja shares a thought. ‘All old people are not fools. Rajaji is not tedious, nor a fool. He is so sharp-witted that he can present even an untruth appear as truth.’ He was smiling. Though, it is a dubious compliment, he exuded his like of Rajaji for his wit.

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It was the time Swatantra party had been launched. The Congress was dismayed. One congresswala said, ‘Rajaji was in Congress whenever he was in power. He was out of it when not in power.’ That was in frustration, but typified the general popularity of Rajaji in his own party. 

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Rajaji in the role of popularising Tamizh

(The dialogue is in Tamizh)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR6M9r58nHU

Rajaji – 7

Kalki on Rajaji:

“When I went to Thiruchengodu, I saw that Rajaji lived in thatched house with his children. I realised that he did not just preach to others, but followed what he preached.”

“Rajaji was teaching Atthichoodi to a class that had Dalits in it. At lunch time, food cooked by a Kounder was served and Rajaji ate in a row with Dalits.”

Rajaji: “Falsehood and violence cannot deliver good results. Evil will only produce evil.  .. Penitence is pretentious if the gain of falsehood is retained.”

Rajaji on sun’s heat: “Those living in Chennai think that the heat is harmful. They go to Ooty and Kodaikkanal. There is no ignorance equal to it. The sun’s heat is quite beneficial to health. That too the native heat of the sun is specially great. We were born and bred in this heat. Great poets like Valluvan and Kamban wrote excellent poetry growing up in this heat only.”

On prohibition propaganda: “Our speech did not touch the hearts of the villagers like that of Rajaji. We did not appreciate the travails of the villagers like him. Our speech was like what a teacher taught the students in school. His speech would be like a mother devoted to her child advising the child.”