You can't fool me, I'm a bania, said Mahatma
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PALANPUR: Old timers here in north Gujarat often recount anecdotes of the Mahatma's wit, which make people laugh even today.
One such anecdote related to the late Nawab of Palanpur Talley Mohamad Khan "The Nawab's closeness to Mahatma was well-known. The ruler would accord Mahatma an affable welcome to his state and would travel along with Gandhiji in the third class compartment. Gandhiji would inform the Nawab of his travel and when he would pass though Palanpur between Delhi and Sabarmati," says one old-timer, Dinesh Hathi, a former bank employee.
"Hours before Gandhi's arrival, for the return leg, the Nawab would reach Amirgadh railway station, which was at one end of his domain, and would offer Mahatma food. One tale that the late Nawab narrated to his personal friends and confidants is to do with Mahatma's wit," Hathi said.
"Talleybhai was not only a close friend, but also an admirer of his intellect and nature. He would spend quite some time in the company of Mahatma, particularly when he was more relaxed," says Hathi. "Sometime in 1931, the Nawab received a telegraphic message of Mahatma's return from Delhi by Delhi Mail (then a narrow-gauge train run on Delhi-Ahmedabad route). It would reach Palanpur railway station at 5pm. As usual, the Nawab would be at Amirgadh station 40 km towards Abu Road.
"Well-acquainted with Mahatma's food habits, the Nawab took along goat milk and fruits. Delhi Mail then didn't stop at Amirgadh and would halt directly at Palanpur after Abu Road, but at Nawab's instance, the stationmaster would stop the Mail. The Nawab as usual would accompany Mahatma up to Palanpur. Only the poor usually travelled in third class compartments, but the Nawab would do so too.
"Once, it happened to be a Monday, when Gandihiji would keep silent and communicate using a slate and chalk." After the Mahatma's accepted the fruits and milk, the Nawab wrote three sentences on the slate. How is your health? How long will you be in Sabarmati and When will your name be being printed on real currency notes; the photos are already on playing currency notes sold to children in the bazaar?
In return, the Mahatma replied: "Better ask of the health of my co-traveller rustics on the train. I will stay in Sabarmati Ashram as long as the British wish." The Mahatma then erased the third question from the slate. When the Nawab insisted on the third question Gandhi very quietly replied on the slate. "As you have given me two things - fruits and milk - how can you expect a reply to the third question. I am a Baniya, you can't befool me," which drew peals of laughter.
Later, in 1957, Talley Mohamad's son Iqbal Mohamad Khan, in keeping with the wishes of his father donated a large tract of land near Chitrasni (Balaram) for a Gandhi ashram. The late Vimlaben Mehta, a true Gandhian, established a training institute there for helpless and downtrodden divorced women and orphaned girls.
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