Thevaram - Gandhiji Speech at Public Meeting in Thevaram

Gandhiji Speech At Public Meeting in Thevaram

Gandhiji, addressing the gathering, said that it was not without difficulty that Thevaram was included in the programme of his visit. At one time, it seemed as if he would not go over there, but the workers who invited him to Madura would not take ‘no’ for an answer.

I am glad indeed that I have come here to see your beautiful place which is at the foot of the hills and it did my heart good to see so many enthusiastic volunteers from Combai to Thevaram which seemed to be like an unbroken line of volunteers on either side. I wish that all that man power and all that energy was utilized for at least retaining if not adding to the beauty of this valley. Let it not be said that what nature had so lavishly beautified man had dirtied. I could see that, all along the broken road, volunteers had worked somewhat to make it passable for the cars. But I would like the volunteers to copy the Harijans who worked for two months in order to make a proper passable road at Vannivalasi.

These Harijans were a mere handful. You are at least hundred times as many as they are and therefore I would suggest to you that you make a proper road between Combai and Thevararn. It is not necessary for us always to look to Taluk Boards and District Boards to make roads for us. And don’t for one moment deceive yourselves into the belief that Taluk Boards and District Boards make roads for you for nothing. Every road so made is made out of your own money. How much better then would it be if you made your own roads directly not out of your money but out of your labour which is much better than money.

And then as I passed through the little town streets, I could not help regretting that it was not kept in perfectly sanitary and hygienic condition. I could see at once as I was driving through this valley that the valley, though very picturesque, must be malarial. But I have no doubt that by judicious labour well spent you can make this valley free from malaria. If the volunteers whom I have seen this morning were to devote a little of their time every day to making this valley malaria-free, they could do so without much difficulty, certainly without much expense. I saw that you had covered up the dirt in your drains with dry earth. Deeply as I appreciate the consideration that you have shown to me, I would appreciate it much more if you made your drains dry for all time. And I can tell you as an expert in village sanitation, having done some practical work myself, that all these things can be done if there is voluntary labour, without practically any expense whatsoever. But it cannot be done, will not be done, so long as the curse of untouchability remains in our midst and eats into the very vitals of the community.