Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/125

Rh trains up the youth of the country in organisation, public work and pubUc spirit. Lectures, processions, singing parties are the invariable accompaniments of the festival and they not only afford an outlet to the religious zeal of the people but help in fostering the national sentiment also and in creating an interest in the outstanding questions of the day. The Reformers and Moderates have stood aloof from the festival and have misunderstood its aims and objects and its place in the work of the national uplift. But their opposition has no more arrested the popularity of the festival than the howlings of the Anglo-Indian press; nor have they succeeded in establishing its connection with Anti-Mahomedan spirit. Mr. Tilak has come and gone. But the bent he has given to a religious festival, converting it into a social and national force, abides and will forever testify to his organizing genius. Our District and Provincial Conferences have not yet won a place in the life of the people and have been held only at odd places and have been attended only by the so called "educated" people. But the Ganapati festival is celebrated in every city, town and village and has more powerfully moulded the life of the people than any Congress organisation.

From out the heroes who moulded Maratha History stands out one personality in bold relief. Brahmins adore him; non-Brahmins claim him as their own. Mr. Ranade the great apostle of Moderation has sung his praises in a work that still abides. The Indian states which are scattered over Maharashtra owe their existence to his efforts. Mr. Tilak therefore thought that round the personality of Shivaji, he could gather all the