Page 72 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners

GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners

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Gandhi settled down to his six-year term in prison. He was lodged in the

Yervada jail near Poona. He believed that the discipline of the Satyagrahi

wanted him to spend every minute in the pursuit of truth, in making himself a
better instrument, and in showing others how they could do likewise, and work

for the reign of truth and justice in society.

He followed his regular routine of praying, spinning, reading and reflecting.
While in the Yervada prison, he read about 150 books. These included classics

and the works of well-known authors. Gandhi brought his full attention to bear

on whatever he read. He studied, reflected, digested, and absorbed whatever

seemed logical to him.

The jail authorities had deputed an African prisoner, to work as his attendant.

Neither could talk to the other because neither knew the other's language. But
one day the African was stung by a scorpion. Gandhi promptly made an incision,

sucked the poison out, and cleaned and bandaged the area. The African

prisoner became a devoted and loyal attendant.

In a few months, Gandhi developed acute appendicitis. In January 1924, he had

to be removed to the Sassoon Hospital in Poona. The condition of the patient

needed immediate surgical treatment. Col. Maddock, an English surgeon, was

to perform the surgery. Gandhi summoned his friend Srinivasa Sastry of the
Servants of India Society. He sat doubled up in bed, being in acute pain, and

wrote a statement, saying that he was undergoing the surgery of his own will.

He was being treated with great courtesy; he had full faith in the surgeon, and
whatever happened would be the will of God. He wanted to ensure that if

something untoward happened, the country did not blame the surgeon or the

Government. As it happened electricity failed during the operation. The
surgeon had to continue with the light of a hurricane lantern. The operation

was successful. Gandhi recovered. The Government decided to remit the

unexpired period of the prison term and release Gandhi. Gandhi felt sad that he

had to be released due to ill-health. He went to Bombay to recuperate.

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