Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Gandhiji and Rabindranath (contd-1)

Rabindranath came to Santiniketan on 11 Mar and saw the new arrangement of the Kitchen. His reaction as stated by Prasanta Kumar Paul was mixed. He wrote to Rathindranath;
" I was glad that you could not reach Santiniketan this time. The new arrangement in the Kitchen caused a good deal of trouble.The students have taken charge of the Kitchen as per the instruction of Gandhiji and are cooking food by themselves. This created a source of gossiping and excitement.If you would have come in this situation, new set of discussions centering round you would have started. Though the system is a bit difficult, but it has begun. This has solved some of our problems specially relating to finance.the most important thing is that it is done by our boys. Santiniketan, after long time, is getting new light, ttotally organised by the boys.The boys are getting energy and inspiration. The problem is with some of teachers. Some is eager to get your support in their line after your arrival.in this situation It is better to remain silent keeping you outside this situation.There are complexity but it will be solved in due course."
Rabindranath was concerned only with study of the students which , in his opinion, should not be disturbed. 
Gandhiji, too, could understand the contradictions  between the ideologies. For that reason, he was arranging to shift the students of Phinix Vidyalaya and again came back to Santiniketan on 31st mar in the night. Rabindranath also came yesterday. They had discussions for the next two days.on 3rd April, Gandhiji wrote in his diary;
"  Last meeting with boys and with Gurudev as Chairman, kept Maganlal and Ramdas at Bolpur to help in the Kitchen. left for Hardwar with the rest."
The students of Phinix Vidyalata started for Hardwar with Gandhiji leaving Santiniketan.They stayed for some time in Gurukul Vidyalaya and then went to Kochrab near Ahmedabad . Phinix Vidyalay was shifted  after  Satyagraha Asram being there.established