Happy Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Today, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the entire country is remembering him. Mahatma Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti) had played an important role in awakening the flame of freedom among the people of the country. Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu remembered Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi by offering garlands at his statue installed at the Ridge Ground. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi also had a deep connection with Shimla. He visited Shimla 10 times before independence. Mahatma Gandhi used to stay in Manor Villa during his stay in Shimla. This has been the property of Princess Amrit Kaur. In the year 1935, Mahatma Gandhi came in contact with Princess Amrit Kaur. After this, Manor Villa became a regular stay of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi could not come to Shimla after independence
A statue has also been installed to remember the contribution of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the Ridge Ground of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. A plaque near this statue contains details of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Shimla. The details given in this plaque do not mention the two trips of 1939. The special thing is that the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, who visited Shimla 10 times before independence, could not visit Shimla even once after the country became independent.
Mahatma Gandhi used to stay in Manor Villa
In the year 1921, when the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi came to Shimla for the first time, he stayed at Shanti Kutir in Baluganj. Now this cottage is known as Shanti Cottage. Apart from this, Mahatma Gandhi also stayed in Cleveland and Chadwick Building. During most of his travels, Mahatma Gandhi used to stay at the Manor Villa in Summerhill.
Was not in favor of making Shimla the capital
Retired IAS officer and historian Srinivas Joshi says that Mahatma Gandhi loved the nature of Shimla, but he was not in favor of making Shimla the summer capital. He believed that the country could not be governed from Shimla. He used to give an example regarding this that if a businessman has to run his business in Mumbai, he cannot open his shop on the eighth floor. Similarly, it is not possible to run the country from Shimla.
Mahatma Gandhi was disappointed with the human rickshaws running in Shimla
Before independence, there were only three vehicles in Shimla. Most of the people used to travel by human rickshaw. Mahatma Gandhi was also against human rickshaw. Five people were required to drive this rickshaw. Four people used to pull the rickshaw, while one man used to run behind the rickshaw. When one person got tired, the person running would take his place. When Mahatma Gandhi himself had to travel by human rickshaw, he was extremely disappointed. He asked the people pulling the rickshaw, are you animals? Then a person pulling a rickshaw replied that we are not animals, but our stomach is attached to us. For this we have to do this work. However, gradually times changed and with time human rickshaws ceased to exist. Historian Srinivas Joshi says that some people are of the opinion that Manav Rickshaw was stopped after the order of the High Court, but this is not true.
When did Mahatma Gandhi come to Shimla?
- 12 to 17 May 1921- Discussed Khilafat movement, unrest in Punjab, civil disobedience and Swaraj with Viceroy Lord Reading. Went to women’s conference in Arya Samaj Mandir Lower Bazaar. Public meeting held in Eidgah.
- 13 to 17 May 1931- Discussion with Viceroy Lord Willingdon, Home Secretary H.W. Emerson etc. on the problems arising from the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- 15 to 22 July 1931- Discussion with Viceroy Lord Willingdon on participation in the proposed Round Table Conference in London.
- 25 to 27 August 1931- Meeting with Viceroy Lord Willingdon, signing of second agreement.
- 4 to 5 September 1939- Conversation with Viceroy Linlithgow on behalf of the British government on the inclusion of India in the Second World War.
- 26 to 27 September 1939- Discussion on the situation arising out of the Second World War at the invitation of Viceroy Linlithgow.
- 29 to 30 June 1940- Discussion again on the situation arising out of the Second World War on the invitation of Viceroy Linlithgow.
- 27 to 30 September 1940- Consultation on India’s independence after the end of the Second World War at the invitation of Viceroy Linlithgow.
- 24 June to 16 July 1945- On the request of the Viceroy, Gandhi participated as an advisor in the Shimla Conference, an all-party meeting called by Viceroy Lord Wavell.
- 2 May to 14 May 1946- Arrival in Shimla on the invitation of Cabinet Mission.
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