Gandhi My Father Page #3

With all that horrible food, I'll die

Don't worry for that, I'll give you a grand funeral

and declare you a goddess

Mother Goddess of Earth

Now I see your plan

Fine. For you, I'll go to jail

Hari, I wanted to speak with you about something very important

Yes Bapu?

As for the agitation,

your responsibilities will now increase,

because Sorabjee is going to England'

Why?

You don't know?

Chaganlal has disappointed me. He abandoned his studies midway,

left England and returned to India without even informing me

Pranjivan-bhai insists that the scholarship must be utilised

So now I'm sending Sorabjee to England

Sorabjee

Not Hari!

Sorabjee Adajania is an outstanding, disciplined soldier of our struggle

He has made many sacrifices for us

Harilal couldn't even make the school matriculation grades

How could he?

He studies a little in India, you get us here

He begins to settle down, you take us back,

then again to South Africa. Back and forth, back and forth,

only to suit your convenience

It's always your work, your ideals. What about the children?

Maybe he's meant for better, bigger things in life,

beyond formal education

Kastur, please understand

People who serve society, expect nothing in return

Pranjivan-bhai gave the scholarship for your family. It was personal

Nothing is personal or private. Everything is for the public

I make no distinctions

Very well, but why discriminate against your own children?

You knew Chaganlal was unreliable, yet you sent him. Hari kept pleading

"Bapu, let me go to England, please send me to England"

Just once, only for once,

not as Gandhi, but as a father...

...listen to the voice of your children

We're parents to all children in this settlement, Kastur

They're our own children

Always remember that

"One who is a vaishnav"

"Knows the pain of others"

"Does good to others"

"Does not let pride enter his mind"

You're a businessman.

You want free passage to India.

I've lost all my money in business here.

I'd be really grateful if you could help.

I am also ready to sign an...

An undertaking to pay the fare in India.

Tell me your name. - Mehta.

First name.

Pranlal.

You have Gandhi in your bag?

Passive resister.

A trouble-maker.

If you've got trouble-maker friends outside...

...waiting to take you back to Johannesburg.

Sir, I am not a... - Wait, let me get it correct.

Your name is Harilal Mohandas Gandhi.

Son of barrister MK Gandhi.

Sir, there must be some mistake.

I am not Harilal Gandhi.

I am Pranlal Mehta, you must understand.

Go back home. Your father's waiting for you.

You wish to say something?

I can hear your thoughts

Speak.

I'm summoning the strength to speak

A son does not need strength to talk to his father.

You must just speak. I will listen.

You have taken too long to hear my voice, Bapu

I admit. My fault.

To the world, I am your son.

Yet I've never known a father.

That's not true, Hari

My lot has been hard labour, a hard life, never a kind word, Bapu

And love? I've never known it

I have no education, no family, no future

The world is waiting for you, son. - Not for me, Bapu. For you

At least you are back at home. That's a solace

Not by choice.

You have all the freedom, Hari

You define the freedom...

...Bapu and you set the limits?

My independence is restricted to following your ideals,

my thoughts must conform to your ideas

I wanted to educate myself

I wanted to be a barrister, a junior Gandhi

You cut my wings,

how do you expect me to fly?

Bapu, I'm suffocated with the burden of following your dream.

I want to breathe

We're in midst of a battle here son, of right against might,

of justice against injustice. I depend on you

I have opted out.

I must find my own path, search for my own identity

If you allow me, I will lead you

Please leave me alone

Where do we go from here?

I will return to my wife and children, I miss them

I understand

Then, continue my education,

Try and earn my own living

And what if you fail?

At least I tried, Bapu

Son, is there anything, anything you want me to do...

to keep you back with me?

Can I ask a favour?

If you think your father has wronged you...

do forgive him

Please

Hari-bhai... Hari-bhai...

Yes Jeevan?

Gulab-ben, on our streets we've more buffaloes than human beings

They've no civic sense, they'll relieve themselves anywhere

Even the British people move aside to make way for them

One thing for sure, if all buffaloes in Ahmedabad get together...

they'll drive British away from Ahmedabad

Come in, Jeevan

Where's Hari-bhai? I was waiting for him in the classroom

Rami.

Hari-bhai. Hari-bhai.

I have all your marks. English, French... too good!

But Science, Arithmetic, Geometry...

Jeevan, go home

Enough of studies

I've had enough

Each time I fail, Gulab...

my father wins

His Excellency, General Smutts...

...will make a farewell address.

I speak it very difficult...

...to speak about the man...

...I've often crossed swords.

On practically everything.

He has been a greatest source...

...of trouble for my government.

And I am delighted he is leaving.

Contrary to popular assumption...

...let me remind you.

That he is not a Seth...

...who has strayed into politics.

He is a politician.

Trying to become a Seth.

People often ask me.

What is Gandhi?

To me this is Gandhi.

While my government was inflicting...

...hardships upon him in prison.

He was making these sandals for me...

...with his own hands.

And presented them to me when released.

Gandhi that fights...

...what he believes is injustice.

But loves the human beings.

Whatever that means...

...I wish him well for the future.

With a sigh of relief for myself.

And a silent prayer...

...for the British Government in India.

Thank you.

Look at this compartment. How can I travel in such comfort and luxury?

Your Indian friends are unaware of the drastic changes in your life

Next time, we'll warn them; book us in third class compartment, only

Hello. - Hello.

Mohandas Karamchand...

Are you Barrister Gandhi from South Africa?

Yes

A great moment in my life, sir. What an honour

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, okay. Kasturba M Gandhi, okay

Who are you? - He is my son

His name is not on the list, sir

There must be a mistake. Please take the fine from us

Please don't embarrass me, sir

This compartment is empty, it's the least I can do for you

As a public servant,

...this is something you cannot do for me or anyone else

I refuse and I insist

I'll check on the other passengers and return to collect the fine

Goodbye.

Bapu, these are all the letters,

the lists and addresses. I've replied to them all

Your appointments for the next two weeks

How does Gulab like Ahmedabad? - She's happy

I'm eager to see Rami and Kanti.

And I hear Rasik is a little devil?

Your little Shanti, is he speaking? - A little too much for his age

Son, you've been with us, taken care of all arrangements

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