Once Gandhiji went to London from South
Africa. He had become popular there as a great leader from Africa. In those
days a lot of Indian people stayed there. Many of them were students and
some were revolutionaries. All of them wished freedom for India. Taking
advantage of Gandhiji’s presence there, they organised a programme. It was
decided that food would be served first and then the lectures would be
delivered.
The youngsters requested Gandhiji to be the
chairperson. He accepted it on some conditions. The terms were that the food
would be strictly vegetarian and liquor won’t be served. The youngsters
agreed to it. The boys were happy that they had Gandhiji, the winner of the
African revolution, as their chairperson. The boys enthusiastically took up
cleaning the vessels and vegetables etc. Gandhiji reached there six hours
prior to the programme and started working with the boys. Nobody knew that
their chief guest was washing dished with them.
The programme was about to commence. The
conveners stood at the door waiting for Gandhiji. But Gandhiji had not come
yet. Someone said that he would be late, so they would better have a look at
the arrangements for food. A leader went inside. A lean and thin person was
working in the kitchen with the boys. The leader was shocked to see him as
if a man from CID had come there. Someone inquired, ‘who is he?’ Ashamed,
the leader said, “He is Mr. Gandhi, the chairperson of our programme!” The
word spread out. People sitting in the hall came to know that the
chairperson was working in the kitchen.
Some people said, “Should the guest be asked
to do such chores? This is shameful!”. The revolutionaries were amazed with
Gandhiji’s behaviour. Quickly they went to him and asked to stop working.
Gandhiji replied, “Wait, let me first finish the job.” Then the food was
served. Gandhiji helped in serving the food and then delivered a soulful
address.