Page:Gregg - Gandhiism versus socialism.pdf/15

 cussion—those of a symbol of trust and a store of value.

In the light of these considerations, how do Gandhi’s work and program appear? For years he has served the poor, especially the peasants. He has helped them in times of famine, flood, disease and economic distress. He has developed the work of charkha and khaddar, and thus given them clothing and bread. He has helped to remove the burdens of the untouchables. He has lived in great simplicity, eating no more than necessary for health, wearing no more than the poorest in the land wear, giving all his time to public service, going to jail again and again for the people’s cause, proving by his manner of life his unity with them. Every day he does manual work for the poor. He has tried to serve all groups and all classes, and to bring harmony, unity, freedom and better days to India. Thus he has created an immense fund of trust and faith among the people. By Satyagraha and khaddar he has taught the people to have confidence in themselves and in their own strength, ability and power as well as in himself.

Bankers create financial credit; Gandhi creates moral trust, faith and credit. The symbols that the bankers use are coins and paper instruments of obligation. The symbols that Gandhi uses are the wearing of khaddar and simplicity of living. He asks his followers to do likewise. His program can free India only if his followers widely engage in similar social service all over the land. Under this program the future rulers of India cannot be parasitic or relatively idle. They will be those who work most un selfishly and effectively for the general welfare. Under his program, the credit (trustworthiness) of individuals will be much less in control of banks. Each person or group