Page:Mahatma Gandhi, his life, writings and speeches.djvu/310

M. K. Gandhi present moment growing up in South Africa in the Taal, which was only a few years ago, the common medium of speech between simple but brave rustics. If we have lost faith in our vernaculars, it is a sign of want of faith in ourselves; it is the surest sign of decay. And no scheme of self-Government however benevolently or generously it may be bestowed upon us, will ever make us a self-governing nation, if we have no respect for the languages our mothers speak.—(Introduction contributed to Dr. P. J. Mehta's Pamphlet, No. 1). 190