Gujarat is too commercialized for performing work in this manner that has a higher chance of success than elsewhere, according to Mahatma Gandhi.
This morning, Mahatma Gandhi arrived here. Gandhiji gave the Ahmedabad journalists an interview as soon as he arrived. During his speech, Mahatmaji claimed that the disease in Borsad had essentially disappeared.
When asked why he decided to base his efforts to revive rural industries in Wardha, Mahatmaji responded, “Because Wardha is in the center of India and because it was in Wardha that I was able to get a rich piece of land with buildings and plenty of water worth over two lakhs rupees-I speak under correction- and with nearly 700 fruit trees on land.”
“Wardha was chosen because Seth Jamnalal was very concerned that the land that he had considered giving for the Maganlal Gandhi Memorial be taken up by the Village Industries Association, and lastly because Wardha is half village and half town and my own desire and that of my associates was that the headquarters should not be selected in any presidency town,” Jamnalal said.
There was also the added draw of Vinoba and his group of workers who had already received training at the Satyagraha Ashram in Wardha.
We all agreed that these were compelling reasons to choose Wardha as the headquarters. I suggest avoiding leaving Wardha as much as possible in order to work at any headquarters that may be created while I’m there.
“I had the initial concept. It was suggested that I maintain regular contact with the Chairman, the Organizer, and the Secretary and be available whenever any of them needed to refer me in relation to the Association’s activity. We meet practically daily, for a half-hour, except on Mondays, while we are in Wardha.
