Page:Masani - Gandhi's story.pdf/63

Rh as a little harsh with her. He made her do the work of a scavenger just to prove that she was wrong. At first Kasturbai wept many bitter tears, but eventually she realized that she was wrong, and she not only treated untouchables like everybody else, but she also adopted a little untouchable girl as her daughter.

Hindus all over the country listened to Gandhiji's appeal to come together, and in some places the tem ples where the scavengers had not been allowed to enter were open to them. Gandhiji saw that the Harijans, unless they were educated, would remain backward. He therefore asked the rich to give him money for the Harijans and with the money he built schools and hospitals. Even little children saved their money and gave it to Gandhiji to buy things for the children of the scavengers.

Gandhiji next turned to help the women of India. He tried to make them feel that they too had an important role to play in shaping the future of their country. The Indian woman had lost the honored and respected position she had held in ancient India. She too had become one of the forgotten and unwanted. She was weak and helpless. Gandhiji, who was always a friend of the downtrodden, stretched out his hand to raise her and restore her to her rightful place in society.

A young girl complained to him about the difference of treatment between the sons and daughters in