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Introspective Bapu

Gandhiji had established the 'Satyagraha Ashram' at the banks of the river Sabarmati and he would direct all his activities from there. One of the ashram workers, who did the shopping for the ashram, was stealing the money by showing incorrect account of two and half annas, instead of two annas. The fraud came to the notice of Gandhiji's two colleagues and then the news traveled to Gandhiji.

Gandhiji called him. First he did not admit, but later he confessed. Gandhiji was deeply shocked because he was a close colleague of him since the time of Natal in South Africa.

Gandhiji deeply pondered over the matter. "How can we call this ashram a 'Satyagraha Ashram'? Some untruth must be hidden within me, which I have not been able to remove so far," he thought.

He gathered his colleagues. Some, who were away, were also called. He poured out his agony before them. External prestige was of no value to him against the truth. It was generally felt that the change in the name of the ashram from 'Satyagraha Ashram' to 'Udyog Mandir' might diminish it's prestige in the eyes of the world. But, we should refrain from bearing a wrong title. There were strong arguments.

Ultimately, it was unanimously decided that the place near the bank of the river, where the prayer was performed, would be called 'Satyagraha Ashram', and the remaining area would be called 'Udyog Mandir' and at a later stage, when it acquires its eligibility, it can be named again 'Satyagraha Ashram'.