Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/474

 384 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES

ft we shall have increased our fitness for Swaraj, as it

could not be by agitation, no matter howsoever great* This is a question meriting the serious consideration of our Doctors and Vaidyas.

Our sacred Dakorji is our next door neighbour. I have visited that holy place. Its unholiness is limit- less. I consider myself a devout Vaishnavite. I claim, therefore, a special privilege of criticising the condition of Dakorji. The insanitation ot that place is so great, that one used to hygienic conditions can hardly bear to pass even twenty-four hours there. The pilgrims are permitted to pollute the tank and the streets as they choose. The keepers of the idol quarrel among them- selves, and to add insult to injury, a receiver has been appointed to take charge of the jewellery and costly robes of the idol. It is our clear duty to set this wrong right. How shall we, Gujaratis, bent on attaining Swaraj, discharge ourselves in its army, if we cannot sweep our houses clean ?

The inconsideration of the state of education in our cities also fills us with despondency. It is up to us to provide by private effort for the education cf the masses. But our gaze is fixed upon Government, whilst* our children are starving for want of education.

In the cities the drink-evil is on the increase, tea- shops are multiplying, gambling is rampant. If we cannot remedy these evils how should we attain Swaraj whose meaning is government of ourselves ?

We have reached a time when we and our children are likely to be deprived of our milk-supply. Dairies in Gujarat are doing us infinite harm. They buy out practically the whole milk-supply and sell its products, butter, cheese etc., in a wider market. How can a

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