What am I here for? What do I believe in? What is the India I would build? Well, before all else, I am here to uphold the truth as I see it, for I believe it is the keystone of life. On it everything else depends. It comes first and last and always. And in all things it is possible to put Truth first. For myself I have always tried to do it. In my political ambitions I eschew all lies and fraud. For the attainment of no object would I subscribe to deceit.
I have read many varying descriptions of myself. Some call me a saint. Others call me a rouge. I am neither the one nor the other. All that I aspire to beΓÇö and I hope I have in some measure succeeded in beingΓÇöis an honest, godfearing man. But the things I read about myself do not annoy me. Why should they? I have my own philosophy and my work. Everyday I spin for a time. While I spin I think. I think of many things. But always from those thoughts I try to keep out bitterness.
Study this spinning-wheel of mine. It would teach you a great deal more than I canΓÇöpatience, industry, simplicity. This spinning-wheel is for India's starving millions the symbol of salvation.
MY LOIN-CLOTH
My dress, which is described in the newspapers as a loin-cloth, is criticized, made fun of. I am asked why I wear it. Some seem to resent my wearing it.
When Englishmen visit India, do they forsake their European clothing and adopt our Eastern dress, which is much more suitable to the climate? No. And there is the answer to those who ask why in England I wear the dress to which I am accustomed, the dress of India.
If I came here to live and work as an English citizen, then I should conform to the customs of the country and should wear the dress of an Englishman. But I am here on a great and special mission, and my loin-cloth, if you choose so to describe it, is the dress of my principals, the people of India. Into my keeping a sacred trust has been put. A special duty has been given me to perform. I must, therefore, wear the symbol of my mission. I find these different descriptions of me interestingΓÇösometimes amusingΓÇöbut I am just a representative of my people, endeavouring to fulfil the task they have entrusted to me.
Yes, I believe in complete equality for women and, in the India I seek to build, they would have it. The reason I have so many women co-workers is, I believe, due to my adoption of celibacy and my instinctive sympathy for women.
You have probably heard that in my country women occupy a subordinante position. This is only so outwardly. Actually, their influence has ever been of the strongest. For centuries women have worked on an equal footing with men . If they ceased work, then many of the men would starve.
PLAYTHINGS
In the cultivation of the crops our men and women toil together . Their life is a strenuous one. It is in the leisured classes that the difference is moe marked. Wealth has enabled women to forget and set aside the virtue of usefulness. Thus there is a tendency for wealthy women to become mere ornamentsΓÇöplaythings.
What I want to see is the opening of all offices, professions and employments to women; otherwise there can be no real equality. But I most sincerely hope that woman will retain and exercise her ancient prerogative as queen of the household.
From this position she must never be dethroned. It would indeed be a dreary home of which a woman was not the centre. I cannot, for instance, imagine a really happy home in which the wife is a typist and scarcely ever in it. Who would look after the children? What, after all, is a home without children, the brightest jewels in the poorest household?
FAMILY FIRST
Cases might be cited in which a clever woman might, by going out into the world to earn her living, make more money and do more for the children, paying someone to look after them. Exceptional women make necessarily exceptional cases. There are exceptions in every phase of life. but we cannot generalize from exceptions.
Generally, it is the father who should be the bread-winner. He will work all the better, knowing that he has a happy home. And it is a serious injustice to deprive a child of the tender care which only a mother can give.
It is a woman's work to bring up her little ones and mould their character. A precious work, too. Equality in status with men, I desire for women, but if the mother fails in her sacred trust towards her children, then nothing can atone for the loss.
Whatever the race, family life is the first and greatest thing. Its sanctity must remain. Upon it rests the welfare of the nation. For good or for ill home influence persists. Of that there can be no possible doubt, and no State can survive unless the sacred security of its home life is preserved. Individuals there may be who in pursuit of some great principle or ideal, forgo, like myself, the solace of family life, choosing instead one of self-sacrifice and celibacy; but for the mass of the people the preservation of home life is essential.
