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Gandhi’s Approach to Women Welfare

(Kasturba Memorial Fund in Princely States of Rajputana)

- By Dr. Savita Choudhary*

Abstract

The paper offers an evaluation of constructive work done in princely states of Rajputana under Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund constituted in memory of Kasturba Gandhi to serve village women and children in maternity, health and education in colonial era. Integration of political and constructive programs and insertion of women into the freedom struggle through constructive programs reinvigorated the national movement of India under Gandhi and opened avenues for realization of his coveted ideal of Purna Swaraj. The paper delineates in an empirical manner the origin, objectives and execution of the fund in princely states of Rajputana in a national perspective. The fund had insights crucial for women’s development that the amelioration of women can best be achieved through the agency of women themselves in a bottom-up approach. The historical application of Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund is a testimony to the fact Gandhi kept reiterating that it is the Satyagraha that can bring women an equitable qualitative growth than mechanical application of the Law.

Introduction

Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund (KGNMF) was a constructive autonomous organization of the Indian National Congress. It was a national program built in memory of Kasturba Gandhi for the uplift of rural women and children. The paper explores its execution in the princely states of Rajputana and Chief Commissioner’s province of Ajmer-Merwara.

The constitution and objectives of the fund are discussed by Gandhi in the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. They are also deliberated upon in the Personal Records of public workers who were instrumental in its execution in Rajputana and Institutional Records of political organizations like the Prajamandals / Prajaparishads as promotion of Gandhian constructive program was one among their objectives. The personal records, specially Manikyalal Verma Papers and Haribhau Upadhyaya Papers along with the Prajamandal records, provide details of the regional schemes of women welfare executed under the fund in Rajputana. The Government of India was vigilant towards the execution of KGNMF throughout India. It had instructed the governments of princely states in Rajputana to furnish timely reports, hence information of activities regarding the fund is scattered in the secret police diaries of the states. Daily, weekly and fortnightly reports of the Confidential Records of Home Departments of governments across Rajputana comprise the Fortnightly Reports to be sent to the Home-Political (Internal) Department, Government of India, New Delhi. Through convergence of the personal, institutional and government records a vivid picture of the fund from varied perspectives emerges.

Inception, Organization and Objectives

Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund was constituted to commemorate the deceased wife of Gandhi, Kasturba. Kasturba Gandhi died on 22nd February 1944 in Aga Khan Palace (Pune) where Gandhi was undergoing sentence. A fund was constituted on initiation of Amritlal V. Thakkar1 to build a memorial of Kasturba Gandhi. A target of 75 lac rupees was set to be collected from throughout India to be presented to Gandhi on his upcoming birthday2 on 2nd October 1944. The fund was designated as the ‘Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund’. The head office of the fund was located at Wardha (Central Provinces). It was proclaimed to have been founded by non-Congressmen for a pure humanitarian purpose.3 The fund was declared not to be a political one and appeals endorsed by men and women of eminence from all walks of life were issued for subscription to this work of pure service.4

On release (6th May 1944), Gandhi was nominated chairman of the Trust, Purushottamdas Thakurdas, vice-chairman5 and Amritlal V. Thakkar, secretary.6 The Trust Act and Trust Deed established an Executive, a Board of Trustees, an Advisory Medical Board and Provincial Committees. On 31st December 1948, the executive had 12 members (including chairman, vice-chairman and secretary, selected from among the trustees and members of the Advisory Medical Board), Board of Trustees had 26 members (out of which 6 were designated as Holding Trustees) and Advisory Medical Board had 26 members.7 Provincial Committees were formed to collect funds in provinces in British India and princely states. 75 percent of the collected funds was to be spent locally in the provinces and 25 percent to be deposited to the central fund.8 Collections exceeded the target and a sum of 80 lacs was presented to Gandhi on 2nd October 1944 by Sarojini Naidu on behalf of the trustees.9 The fortnightly report of Home-Political (Internal) Department, Government of India, dated 5th October 1944 states that a purse of over one crore of rupees was presented to Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 1944 in a specially erected Pandal in front of late Kasturba’s hut at Sevagram (Wardha).10

For proper disbursement of the fund, committees different from the collecting ones were formed.11 From the very beginning it was insisted upon to take in as much women of required eligibility as was possible in the provincial and district committees of the fund.12 It was mandated to collect and disburse money on behalf of the Board of Trustees or the Holding Trustees.13 Every year budget of ongoing and new schemes was to be sanctioned by the executive and board of trustees14 before being implemented.

KGNMF was instituted independent of the will of Gandhi. Consent of Gandhi to head the fund was sought for and received; mode of service was later on elaborated by Gandhi. The object was the welfare of women and children in villages for their whole life (originally it was for up to the age of seven years for children). This included, 1. Maternity, 2. Hygiene and treatment of diseases and 3. Education (Basic Education of Hindustan Talimi Sangh). According to Gandhi, the object of the fund was set as such because ‘Kasturba was a simple woman devoted to village life, actually living and serving among villages’.15 Gandhi behooved that service done in her name should be befitting to her character. The aim was to serve women and children living in seven lakh villages of India, i. e., universal rural Indian women and children.16 Gandhi referred to his wife Kasturba as ‘an old illiterate village minded woman’17 and appropriately the women to be served were those who were poorer and farther away from the cities, the better.’18 It precluded the use of fund for women service in towns and cities and for their education abroad or universities in India.19

The vision of service under the fund was integrative of knowledge, health and income, ‘What occupations can we introduce for rural women and children which will augment their income, increase their knowledge and improve their health’20 because the root cause of degradation was an all-pervading ‘poverty and ignorance’.21 Women (who performed labor) were paid lesser than men for identical work. The children were forced to earn early in their childhood because of poverty and thus remained devoid of education. So, in the scheme of KGNMF, the financial condition of women would have to be improved through introduction of Khadi and village industries and the education of children self-supporting through some useful industry (development of skills through manual training from the very beginning).22 Equality between son and daughter was to be cultivated in village mothers and fathers.23

There were certain prerequisites for this welfare program to be real and wholesome and implemented sincerely on the ground. Gandhi aspired to incorporate such persons in the executive and as trustees who had previous experience in village service24 and as many women as possible, initially. Major chunk of the fund in British India came from the capitalist class and majority of men in the board of trustees were these very capitalists.25 Gandhi had no qualms about it but he aspired for the board of trustees to consist wholly of women in the times to come.26 In opinion of Gandhi, the ideal position and the fund would be of value only when it was headed by a woman (old like Kasturba) and the entire administration was run solely by women with all men withdrawing themselves from the fund (naturally and voluntarily).27 The money should be spent only through the agency of women workers28 (hailing from villages or, if from cities, devoid of urban influence) because according to Gandhi the real advancement of women was possible only through their own efforts.29 Nonetheless, Gandhi was aware of the fact that ‘work by women among women in villages of India is an unbeaten track’.30 So, women at both levels were to be prepared and trained. It was to empower both the renderer and the recipient of service. So, the project was doomed to slow progress and was to encounter hindrances in opinion of Gandhi.

It was resolved to run the program through representatives (agents), men or women, instead of the formerly constituted provincial committees, from January 1946.31 The number of women representatives in provinces reached to 16 by 31st December 1948.32 Women workers were to be recruited by the provincial committees and later on by the representatives and trained through organizing model camps for service in villages. There were certain conditions for that-

1. On completion of training, the women are bound to give services to the Kasturba Trust.2. The trust would be bound to give them work and pay them.3. A pair of mature experienced and younger woman should be stationed in each district.4. Where work can be done through one mature and experienced woman, only one should be posted.33

Following was the program of training of various courses under the KGNMF to be run at the central and provincial camps-34

Course Duration
Kasturba Sewa Pravesh (compulsory for all workers) 1 year
Gram Sevika Shikshan 1 year
Buniadi Talim 1 to 2 years
Balwadi Shikshan 1 year
Sevika (midwifery) 1.5 years
Paricharika Shiksha, Sevika (including midwifery training) 2.5 years
Miscellaneous and Special Training 1 to 2 years
Table-I: Training under KGNMF

Training camps were organized at the center and in provinces and consecutive batches of trainees were appointed in various capacities under the fund including Sevikas in villages to serve the village women and children. Association of other autonomous constructive organizations was sought for specialized training of women workers. After a considerable period of observation and conference with workers over the prospects of KGNMF, Gandhi gave vent to his dissatisfaction over the manner and progress of work, ‘organized a few camps, started a few maternity homes and a few kindergarten schools.’35 Because it was nowhere near to the ultimate objective of the fund to accommodate rural women with sufficient income, good health and ground knowledge with proper spirit and consciousness. So, with a motive of extending the sphere of KGNMF, it was resolved to observe Kasturba Fortnight from 22nd February to 9th March 1948. The activities that workers were instructed to carry out during the fortnight were the following ones -

1. Elaborate the aims and objectives of the trust in villages. 2. Provide information about our activities done so far. 3. Make special efforts to enlist women from rural areas for training in midwifery, basic education and as Gram-Sevikas. 4. Collect the required portion of expenditure, in addition to the actual fund sanctioned in budget for the year 1948, locally from the districts and provinces.36

Gandhi was murdered before the observance of the fortnight could take place. Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund remained an evolving enterprise during Gandhi’s lifetime.

Collection and Execution in Rajputana

Hiralal Shastri (Jaipur) was nominated convener of the Rajputana provincial committee for collection of subscriptions under KGNMF. Committees, comprising around ten people each were to be formed in respective states, known as district committees and the provincial committee was to incorporate one member from each district committee. The very first committees were formed in Jaipur and Udaipur.37 Convenors nominated all over Rajputana for collections under the fund were as mentioned in the table below. They were representatives of states in the Rajputana provincial committee with responsibility of forming committees in their respective states.38

Princely State Name of Convenor Princely State Name of Convenor
Jaipur, Tonk & Lawa Aatmaramji Padia Udaipur Manikyalal Verma
Jodhpur Anandraj Surana Alwar Seth Kashiramji
Bikaner & Jaisalmer Raghuvar Dayal Goyal Dungarpur Bhogilal Pandya
Bharatpur & Dholpur Master Adityendra Pratapgarh Amritlalji Vakil
Banswara & Kushalgarh Chimanlalji Malot Sirohi & Abu Pukhraj Singhi
Karauli Thakur Param Singhji Shahpura Abhay Singh Dangi
Kota & Jhalawar Seth Motilal Jain Bundi Rishidatt Mehta

Table-II: Convenors of KGNMF in Rajputana States

Collections for the fund in Rajputana were substantial. Details of the target of collection for whole of Rajputana is not found though targets were set in some of the states. People from every class, community and group, individuals and firms, subscribed to the fund. Following are the data of collections from Rajputana including some of the states; they do not strictly adhere to the date of 2nd October 1944, birthday of Gandhi set for the endowment of purse to him -

Place Sum Place Sum
Rajputana
(excluding Ajmer-Merwara)		 1,23,897.75/- 39 Jaipur 71,054/- and 14 Annas40 (which rose to 1,08,000/-)41
Jodhpur 6,023/-42 Bikaner 9,700/-43
Bharatpur 13,000/-44 (against the target of 31,000/-45) Udaipur 12,093/-46 (against the target of 10,000/-47)
Sirohi 4,000/-48 Shahpura 700/-49
Beawar
(Headquarter of Merwara)		 16,500/-50 Ajmer 8,878/-51

Table-III: Collections in Rajputana under KGNMF

Among all the states Jaipur stood first, Bikaner and Udaipur second with 12,000/- each.52 By the end of the year 1944, KGNMF enshrined one and a half lac in Rajputana.53 The conveners toured around for collecting funds, money was realized in the capitals, districts and rural areas in the states. Some instances of donations are worth mentioning. Dayal Das, a cinema proprietor of Udaipur promised to give the income of a show.54 About 50 girl students and mistresses of Kanya Vidyalaya, Udaipur subscribed to the fund.55 In Bikaner, Seth Badridas Daga and Ramnath Daga donated Rs. 2100/- each.56 Money was realized from villages also.57 Ganpat Lal Verma, a Prajamandal worker (resident of Bijolia in Mewar), exhorted the people at a Panchayat of Dhakars in Bijolia to contribute towards KGNMF.58 Bijolia had been a center of non-violent peasants’ agitation in the recent past. Money collected in the states was to be sent to the head office of KGNMF at Wardha directly or through the Rajputana provincial committee.59

Provincial committee had asked the workers in every state to prepare locally useful schemes to run beneficiary activities for women under the fund. Seventy-five percent (five percent of the sum was drawn for the expenditures of provincial committee60) of the collected funds was to be spent in the areas from where it was collected on maternity, health and education of rural women. Many plans were put forward by the district committees. A premise for a national library was to be constructed in Bharatpur wherein facilities of instruction, exercise and health-care were to be availed to the womenfolk.61 ‘Mata Kasturba Vidyalaya aur Vachanalaya’ and ‘Mata Kasturba Bal-Kridangan’ were to be opened in Sirohi.62 ‘Shri Kasturba Training Vidyalaya’ was to be opened in Udaipur.63 Apparently, the plans were made for the capital cities of states. A plan near to the core of KGNMF was made by Manikyalal Verma. Manikyalal Verma planned to invest the fund for education of rural women and girls in Mewar. Wives of the members of Prajamandal (Mewar Prajamandal) or other workers serving in rural areas were to be procured so that they could be deputed in the villages where their husbands were already working, for teaching the rural women. Education was to be imparted on the principles of Basic Education.64 The scheme was sent to Jaipur,65 the head office of Rajputana provincial committee. It was prepared by Manikyalal Verma in association with a committee of ten members comprising three women and four members from the four divisions of Mewar state. The plan, which focused on the education of rural women and girls along with that of Bhil (tribal) women was named ‘Gramya Mahilashram’.66

Not all of these plans were substantiated. Kasturba Training Vidyalaya was opened (on 10th November 194467) by Mahila Mandal (a women educational institution opened by Kamla Kumari Shrotriya in Udaipur in 1940) to train women in Udaipur for three years under the Fund.68 Kasturba Bhil Kanya Chhatralaya was opened in Dungarpur.69 Kasturba Matri-Mandir (maternity home) was opened at Udaipur.70 The scheme made by Manikyalal Verma is not found to have been implemented. All these facilities were opened in towns and tended to serve urban women largely. The motive of KGNMF was exclusive service of rural women and children. None or very few women from rural areas could be expected to benefit by these facilities in the towns. It was dilution of the objectives of the fund set by Gandhi. Gandhi didn’t denigrate them but was not happy either. He urged the workers to move towards the aspired objective of the fund of acquiring economic stability of rural women conjoined with knowledge and good health.71

The genius of KGNMF was service to women and children in villages. Willing eligible women were to be trained before being deputed to the villages. Central Training Camp was organized at Borivali (Bombay Southern District) from 5th April 1945 to 5th May 1945. The training imparted to women workers was instruction in social work, hygiene, medical relief and village industries. Three women from Rajputana attended the camp, they were Rampyari Devi Sharma, Rampyari Devi Jain and Kalawati Devi Tangoda. The graduates/trainees were expected to open similar training centres in their respective provinces.72

It was suggested to open a central training camp for whole of Rajputana by Mridula Behan, organizing secretary of the standing committee of KGNMF. The suggestion was complied with by the workers of Rajputana in meeting of Rajputana Riasati Karyakarta Sangh (it was transformed into Rajputana Provincial Committee of All-India States’ People’s Conference later on) held from 3rd December 1944 to 4th December 1944 at Alwar. Consequently, a Gram Sevika training center was opened at Banasthali by Ratan Devi Shastri.73 Ratan Shastri had been nominated representative for Rajputana as early as December 1944 and the office of Rajputana provincial committee of KGNMF had been opened at Banasthali (Jaipur).74 Qualifications of trainees and conditions of service were laid down. Trainees must have to be between 18 to 30 years of age and studied at least up to 4th class. They were to receive a stipend during the training and salary along with provident fund, during appointment. Those who had completed training and were willing at the center could be sent for further training in midwifery, nursing, Kinder-Garten, basic education etc., to the central training camp. They were bound to serve in villages for three years on completion of training.75

In Rajputana, only Gram Sevika training of one year was launched and trainees were imparted knowledge in textiles (spinning, carding, weaving and stitching), kitchen and store keeping, gardening, cow-rearing, sports, exercise and cultural activities, languages, mathematics, geography, cleanliness, health and hygiene etc. They were trained in home industries (making buttons of cotton, Durrie, Nivar etc.) so that they could train the village women to acquire self-sufficiency.76 First session of the training center Banasthali lasted from February 1946 to February 1947. Three of the seven women who completed training in the first batch belonged to Rajputana. Out of the three women, Varsha Devi was sent to Khadi Vidyalaya, Wardha to receive further training in textiles. After four months’ training, she returned to the training center, Banasthali to join as a trainer. Urmila Devi Kantia and Chandrakala Devi opened Gram Seva Kendra at Kanechhan (Shahpura) and Padmara (Alwar) respectively.77 Sevikas were paid salary for the service. Chandrakala Devi got a payment of Rs. 35/- per month.78

Second session of the training center, Banasthali commenced from 15th October 1947. There were seven women, all from Rajputana; two from Banswara and Dungarpur states each and one from Sirohi, Kota and Jaipur states each.79 Savita Behan Jani belonged to Rohira in Sirohi state.80 On 31st December 1948, the Gram Sevika Shikshan Kendra had 19 trainees on roll out of which one had left, 6 had completed the training program and 12 were undergoing training. One trainee got training for Balwari Shikshan at Thana (Bombay) running under Bal Nutan Shikshan Sangh.81

Another program of training was started by Kasturba Training Vidyalaya, Udaipur. It imparted three years’ training of ‘Gram Sevika aur Shiksha Visharda’. The curricula were based on the scheme of Basic Education of Mahatma Gandhi.82 First trainees of the school were Mohan Devi Sharma, Suman Devi Bhartiya and Sajjan Devi who completed training in 1947.83 After training they did not open permanent centers in villages. Instead, a Gram Sudhar aur Sewa camp of three days was opened at village Eklingpura from 21st to 23rd February 1947. Programs organized there related to spinning, sports, entertainment, village service and cleaning. The requirements of villagers regarding census, agriculture, roads, hygiene, medicine, adult-education and the women were put up and discussed with the villagers.84 It was a cursory approach towards KGNMF.

State Outlook towards KGNMF in Rajputana

The Government of India was skeptical towards KGNMF and motives of those involved in it. It apprehended the implications of the fund as invigorating the national movement and collected money augmenting the funds of Indian National Congress. Vigil was kept over the collection of funds and manner of their disbursement all over India. The governments of Rajputana states were sought to furnish information regarding KGNMF, ‘It is thought possible in connection with collection for the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund, that major part of the fund will be used, not for a memorial but to swell Congress party funds. It is requested therefore, that if there is no objection, the Bharatpur Government may kindly include a note in their fortnightly intelligence reports showing amounts collected and the way in which the money is disbursed.’85 Letters of this import were written to many governments by respective Political Agents stationed in Rajputana. ‘It is doubtful that funds will start flowing according to the published requirements, but if they do a strict watch will have to be maintained as to how they are expended as the financial position of the promoters is not too good.’86 Accordingly, vigil was kept and the Government of India was served reports regarding collection and disbursement of funds. The Government of India wanted to know the whereabouts of the three women from Rajputana who attended training camp at Borivali in connection with the programs (training under KGNMF).87 Many a state government were approached by the Political Agents if they belonged to their states. The identity of the three women was not ascertained and reported to the government of India in confidential records.

Some of the governments in Rajputana turned hostile toward collection of the fund. The Darbar of Kotah denied permission for a meeting in connection with the fund in Herbert College, Kotah.88 The workers of Bikaner Praja-Parishad (Raghuvar Dayal Goyal, Dau Dayal Acharya and Gangadas Kaushik) were arrested on 26th August 1944 in connection with the collection of fund.89 The government of Bikaner alleged that Raghuvar Dayal ‘deliberately and knowingly broke the terms of the written undertaking which he had solemnly given of his own free will to the Maharaja last year (1943) on the basis of which his highness was pleased to order his release.’90 According to the government Raghuvar Dayal Goyal had breached his undertaking of ‘1. No inflammatory or objectionable activities or anti-state speeches be permitted, 2. No similar songs and slogans permitted, and 3. Organizer must not have the Congress flag or any other symbol of a political character.’91 Astonishingly, remarks made by workers in the meeting organized for collection of the fund were regarded as political and objectionable by the government of Bikaner state and in contravention to their mutually agreed upon settlement.

But except for some states in Rajputana, state countenance towards KGNMF was liberal. Workers approached the rulers, government officials and landlords for subscription. Not only that collection for the fund was not obstructed by governments but also the rulers, Thakurs and officials of governments themselves contributed to the fund and the same was lauded by the workers. The Maharaja of Udaipur donated Rs. 20,000/- to the Fund.92 The Thakur of Sardargarh and Sisodia and government officials (in Udaipur) were approached by Manikyalal Verma for subscription to the fund.93 Munsarim (an administrative officer), District Magistrate, City Magistrate, City Kotwal and Doctor, etc. government officials of Nathdwara (in Mewar state) organized a meeting for collection of the fund to be presented to Thakkar Bapa.94 There are instances of rebuttal too. Ramesh Chandra Vyas (of Udaipur) was denied subscription by a Thakur Sahib for the fund.95

High-ranking government officials of the states participated in events connected with the fund. Mohan Singh Mehta who had been Revenue Officer of the Mewar State laid foundation stone of Kasturba Training Vidyalaya, Udaipur.96 Foundation ceremony of the Vidyalaya was celebrated under president-ship of lady Vijaya-Raghavacharya (wife of T. V. Vijayaraghavacharya, the Chief-Minister of Mewar state) in a women exclusive function.97 The workers appreciated the generosity which he showed for collection of the fund, of the Dewan of Mewar, T.V. Vijayaraghvacharya.98

Success of KGNMF in Rajputana

Collections for the fund witnessed great zeal in Rajputana. It was crucial the disbursement of funds as designed by Gandhi. The budget of the schemes was to be approved by the head office at Wardha and funds released. Lady workers were to undergo general and specialized training before deputation to villages. It was liable to take time. Apart from the procedural lag, there were other striving factors to restrain the progress of the program. Eligible women willing to serve in villages were scarce to procure. Provincial convener (Hiralal Shastri) and later on provincial representative (Ratan Shastri) kept writing to state (district) conveners to find out women and send them to Banasthali camp for training. Hiralal Shastri admitted that response from whole of Rajputana along with Jaipur was not enthusiastic in this regard. He took exception at no lady worker being there from Udaipur99 for training at the Banasthali camp. The reason for this might be that Kasturba Training Vidyalaya had been opened at Udaipur by end of the year 1944 and it conducted its own three-year training program. Women workers from Udaipur are found getting training there. Training camp at Banasthali witnessed gradual progress in number of trainees from seven in the first batch to 19 in the third batch, by end of the year 1948.

Trained women engaged in imparting training to new trainees. There are not enough women available to work among village women and children. Only two schools could be opened in Rajputana, one each in Shahpura and Alwar states. Schools that were opened in villages did not fare well. There were social and economic constraints responsible for the schools not lasting longer. Padmara Kanya Pathshala (Alwar) could not last longer because girls studying in the school engaged in agricultural toil during the monsoon season.100 Apart from this, the deteriorating communal situation adversely affected the project (communal tension erupted in Mewat region during partition).101 The school was closed.102 Chandrakala Devi opened school at another village Bahrod Jat (Alwar) where 17 girls joined in. Kasturba Kanya Vidyalaya was opened there on 26th March 1948.103 The Sewa Kendra at Kanechhan (Shahpura) run by Urmila Devi Kantia lasted longer.104 By end of the year 1948, only one Gram Seva Kendra with one Gram Sevika is found functional.105

There was a paucity of full-time workers for the management of KGNMF in Rajputana. Ratan Devi Shastri attended work of the fund partly as she was engaged with management of Banasthali Vidyapith. Other workers at the center were also workers of Banasthali Vidyapith.So, training and activities other than basic Gram-Sewa Kendra (like Buniyadi-Talim, Balwari, Vaidyakiya, Paricharika, Kanya-Aashram) could not be erected here.106 Due to this many of the activities that were supposed to be run at the Sewa-Kendra to attain objectives of the fund could not be conducted. So, openings of Gram Sewa Kendra by Gram Sevikas did not render a wholesome effect. On the other hand, acceptance of the program by the villagers was also very crucial for success of the fund. Some institutions like Kasturba Training Vidyalaya, Udaipur professed that they suffered from the backwardness of people. Allegedly, poor economic condition of the institution was a major obstacle to progress of fund there.107 On the contrary, it is found that KGNMF had not used large amount of its funds by end of the year 1948. Expenditure in Rajputana for year 1948 was 5217/-. It was third lowest in India after Haiderabad (1200/-) and Punjab (3568/-).108

The problem of not availing sufficient eligible women for village service was brought before Gandhi. There was a double-pronged problem according to him which encountered the program and commanded a likewise solution. So, first lesson, for the women working under the fund was to reject all social restrictions that circumscribed their scope of life.109 Gandhi exhorted that the women (workers) must have to break out of the enslavement of domestic drudgery and come out (Gandhi held men liable for this state of affairs).110 The second aspect was acceptance of this service by village women. Gandhi asked the workers to move slowly with the work as, ‘democracy has to be built up inch by inch in economic, social and political life.’111 Resistance on part of the villagers was reported to Gandhi. The people had to be awakened and reconciled to the service by persistent conscious efforts of constructive workers. This was what Gandhi referred to as ‘Satyagraha’. There was perceivably backwardness among rural population as was alleged by the management of Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya, Udaipur. This was what KGNMF was supposed to abolish. The task could be accomplished only if the workers could become one among the villagers but the enlightened ones. Village service was desirable with a pure village outlook. Gandhi raised concern over the Sevikas coming from cities or having urban influence. Through the observance of Kasturba fortnight efforts were made to bring more village women into the fold of the fund to serve in villages.112 Though considerable success was achieved in appointing women as representatives of the fund in provinces but not at the ground level.

Following is the data of comparative success of KGNMF in provinces. Rajputana had the lowest performance both quantitatively and qualitatively as is clear from the table below113 -

State Training Camp - Sevika Basic School Kanya Ashram - Sevika Balwari Kendra - Sevika Vaidyakiya Kendra - Sevika Total Training Camps - Total Sevika Lady Doctor
Andhra 7-15 2-7 -- 2-6 11-28 2
Assam 8-14 5-10 -- -- 13-24 --
Bengal 25-36 -- -- -- 25-36 --
Bihar 16-22 1-2 1-1 -- 18-25 --
Delhi 2-2 -- -- -- 2-2 --
Purva Panjab 2-6 -- -- -- 2-6 --
Gujrat 9-14 -- -- 2-4 11-18 --
Karnatak 8-12 -- -- 1-1 9-13 --
Kerala 8-11 -- 1-2 -- 9-13 --
Mahakaushal 1-1 -- -- 2-3 3-4 --
Mahavidharbha 7-13 2-2 3-5 6-9 18-29 1
Maharashtra 7-8 -- -- 6-10 13-18 1
Maisuru 17-17 -- 1-1 2-3 20-21 --
Orissa 4-4 1-1 -- -- 5-5 --
Rajputana 1-1 -- -- -- 1-1 --
Tamilnadu 6-9 5-13 -- 11-20 22-42 1
Yukta-Prant 14-17 1-1 3-3 -- 18-21 --
Kendriya-Pranta -- -- -- 1-3 1-3 1 Male Doctor

Table-IV: Performance of KGNMF in British and Princely India

Following is the account statement of KGNMF on 31st December 1948. Very less of the funds could be used so far. The remaining monetary value of the fund by end of the year 1948 is more than the original collection114 -

Collections 1,30,60,087/-
Interest 13,61,493/-
Excess Income in Provinces 74,152/-
Total 1,44,96,732/-
Total Expenditure 14,20,353/-
Balance 1,30,76,379/-
Assets 2,04,138/-
Assets including Cash 1,32,80,517/-

Table-V: Accumulation under KGNMF on 31st December, 1948

Conclusion

Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund was not a remarkable success anywhere in India. In Rajputana performance of the fund was lowest. But the limited success it achieved in the limited time of its execution cannot belie the uniqueness and usefulness of the phenomenon. The genius of KGNMF was to hypothesize service of rural women and children in seven lakh villages of India through women workers from among themselves for their wholesome development. It was not long after the inception of KGNMF that India attained independence. It was not long after the attainment of freedom that Gandhi survived. So, KGNMF remained a work in progress during Gandhi’s lifetime. Post-independence, KGNMF was not merged in the Sarva-Sewa Sangh, an organization formed in April 1948 integrating other constructive organizations of Indian National Congress (All India Spinners Association, All India Village Industries Association, Akhil Bharat Go-Sewa Sangh, Hindustan Talimi Sangh) save Harijan Sevak Sangh. Head Office of KGNMF was shifted at Kasturba Gram, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and provincial office for Rajasthan at Shahpura (formed a district in 2023).115

References

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  13. Ibid, P 3.
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  18. Ibid, P. 150.
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  22. Ibid.
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  29. Ibid, P. 236.
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  33. CWMG, Vol. 84, 1981, P. 72.
  34. Haribhau Upadhyaya Papers, Subject File No. 22, Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund, papers relating to, 1945-70, p. 9, PMML
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  36. Ibid, Alwar Prajamandal Record, B. No. 6, File No. 98, p. 9-10, RSAB.
  37. Haribhau Upadhyaya Papers, Subject File No. 22, Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Fund, papers relating to, 1945-70, P. 2, PMML.
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  40. Ibid.
  41. Bharatpur Confidential Record, ‘A’, B. No. 13, File No. 9/C, Fortnightly intelligence reports for Rajputana states, 1944-45, Fortnightly intelligence report for the Rajputana states, 1944, RSAB.
  42. Ibid.
  43. Ibid.
  44. Udaipur Confidential Record, B. No. 1, File No. 4 of 1944, Fortnightly intelligence report for the Rajputana states, 1944, RSAB.
  45. Bharatpur Prajamandal Record, B. No. 18, File No. 6, Anya prajamandalon, parishadon ke patra aadi, 1947, P. -35, RSAB.
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  47. Ibid.
  48. Sirohi Prajamandal Record, B. No. 15, File No. 70, Sirohi Rajya Prajamandal, 1942-47, P. 65, RSAB.
  49. Jodhpur Prajamandal Record, B. No. 12, File No. 131, Mawar Lok-Parishad ka anya prajamandalon se patra- vyavahar, 1945, P. 28, RSAB.
  50. Home, File No. 18/10/44-Poll. (Internal), Fortnightly reports for the month of Oct,1944, P. 93, NAI.
  51. Ibid.
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  53. Ibid, P. 33.
  54. Udaipur Confidential Record, B. No. 1, File No. 8, Confidential weekly reports, 1944, RSAB.
  55. Ibid.
  56. Bikaner Confidential Record, B. No. 24/1, File No. 19, Cuttings from daily Vishvamitra, 1945, RSAB.
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  66. Ibid, P. 25.
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  75. Ibid, P. 3.
  76. Ibid.
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  78. Alwar Prajamandal Record, B. No. 6, File No. 97, Kasturba Vidyalaya Padmara, 1948, RSAB.
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  80. Sirohi Prajamandal Record, B. No. 15, File No. 70, Sirohi Rajya Prajamandal, 1942-47, P. 65, RSAB.
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  84. Udaipur Prajamandal Record, B. No. 21, File No. 5, Mewar Prajamandal Patrika Aadi, 1947-48, P. 86, RSAB; Sirohi Prajamandal Record, B. No. 15, File No.74, Bahri Prajamandalon Publication, 1946-47, P. 105, RSAB.
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  90. Bikaner Confidential Record, B. No. 23, File No. XX, Cuttings general, 1944, RSAB.
  91. Ibid.
  92. Bharatpur Confidential Record ‘B’, B. No. 7, File No. C-2-66, Pt-XIII, Bharatpur Rajya Praja-Parishad, activities of from Dec 1943 to Dec 1944, RSAB.
  93. Udaipur Confidential Record, B. No. 1, File No. 8, Confidential weekly reports, 1944, RSAB.
  94. Ibid.
  95. Ibid.
  96. Udaipur Confidential Record, B. No. 1, File No. 2 of 1944, Fortnightly local reports, 1944, RSAB.
  97. Udaipur Confidential Record, B. No. 1, File No. 8, Confidential weekly reports, 1944, RSAB.
  98. Ibid.
  99. Maniklal Verma Papers, Subject File No. 22, Activities of Mewar Prajamandal, also include its accounts, 1941-44, P. 99, PMML.
  100. Alwar Prajamandal Record, B. No. 6, File No. 98, Kasturba Trust, 1948, p. 10, RSAB.
  101. Ibid, P 19.
  102. Ibid, P 7.
  103. Ibid, P 28.
  104. Jaipur Prajamandal Record, B. No. 24, File No. 12, Rajputana ke Pramukh congress netaon ke charitra, 1948-58, P 32, RSAB.
  105. Haribhau Upadhayay Papers, Subject File No. No 22, Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Fund, papers relating to, 1945-70, P 9, PMML.
  106. Alwar Prajamandal Record, B. No. 6, File No. 98, Kasturba Trust, 1948, P 14, RSAB.
  107. Udaipur Confidential Record, B. No. 2, File No. 16/1C of 1946, Fortnightly intelligence report for Rajputana states for the halves of every month in the year of 1946, RSAB.
  108. Haribhau Upadhyaya Papers, Subject File No. 22, Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Fund, papers relating to, 1945-70, P 12, PMML.
  109. CWMG, Vol. 79, 1980, P. 366.
  110. CWMG, Vol. 78, 1979, P. 151.
  111. CWMG, Vol. 89, 1983, P. 77.
  112. Alwar Prajamandal Record, B. No. 6, File No. 98, Kasturba Trust, 1948, P. 10, RSAB.
  113. Haribhau Upadhyaya Papers, Subject File No. 22, Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Fund, papers relating to, 1945-70, P. 9, PMML; Alwar Prajamandal Record, B No 6, File 98, Kasturba Trust, 1948, P 10, RSAB
  114. Haribhau Upadhyaya Papers, Subject File No. 22, Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Fund, papers relating to, 1945-70, P. 11, PMML
  115. Ibid, P -23.

* Dr. Savita Choudhary is Assistant Professor (History), Government College, Bundi(Raj.) Email: choudharydrsavita@gmail.com