Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/440

 350 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES

the barbers are ignorant people. Their intellect is as well-trained as that of the English barber. We are able to discuss intelligently with them the events of " Maha- bharata," " Ramayana" and of our holy places. For the national training flows in that direction. But we are unable to take home what we receive in our schools. W cannot reproduce before the family circle what we have learnt through the English language.

At the present moment the proceedings of our Legislative Councils are conducted in English. In many other institutions the same state of things prevails. We are, therefore, in the position of a miser who buries underground all his riches. We fare no better in our law courts. Judges often address words of wisdom The court going public is always eager to hear what the Judges have to say But they know no more than the dry decisions of the Judges. They do not even understand their counsels' addresses. Doctors receiving diplomas in Medical Colleges treat their patients no better. They are unable to give necessary instructions to theirpatients. They often do not know the vernacular names of the different members of the body. Their con- nection, therefore, with their patients, as a rule, does not travel beyond the writing of prescriptions. It is brought up as a charge against us that through our thoughtless- ness we allow the water that flows from the mountain- tops during the rainy season to go to waste, and similar- ly treat valuable manure worth lakhs of rupees and get disease in the bargain. In the same manner being crushed under the weight of having to learn English and through want of far-sightedness we are unable to give to the nation what it should receive at our hands. There is no exaggeration in this

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