Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/362

 272 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES.

training if they are to become self-reliant and self- supporting. It seems to me that in our country in which 85 per cent, of the population is agricultural and perhaps 10 per cent, occupied in supplying the wants of the pea- santry, it must be part of the training of every youth that he has a fair pratical knowledge of agriculture and hand-weaving. He will lose nothing if he knows a proper use of tools, can saw a piece of board straight and build a wall that will not come down through a faulty hand- ling of the plumber's line. A boy who is thus equipped will never feel helpless in battling with the world and never be in want of employment. A knowledge of the laws of hygiene and sanitation as well as the art of rearing children should also form a necessary part of the Gurukula lads. The sanitary arrangements at the fair left much to be desired. The plague of flies told its own tale. These irrepressible sanitary inspectors in- cessantly warned us that in point of sanitation all was not well with us. They plainly suggested that the re- mains of our food and excreta need to be properly buried. It seemed to me to be such a pity that a golden oppor- tunity was being missed of giving to the annual visitors practical lessons on sanitation. But the work must begin With the boys. Then the management would have at the annual gathering three hundred practical sanitary teachers. Last but not least let the parents and the commitee not spoil their lads by making them ape European dress or modern luxuries. These will hinder them in their after life and are antagonistic to Bramacharya. They have enough to fight against in the evil inclinations common to us all. Let us not make their fight more difficult 'by adding to their temp- tations.

�� �