electrify the atmosphere. It was well known that fright
took a larger toll of life than actual disease. He wanted
them to shed all fear of calamity if they-took the natural
step of self-help. He was convinced that removal of
food control would not result in a famine and deaths
from starvation.
Similarly, there was no reason why there should
be shortage of cloth in India. India produced more
cotton than she required for her wants. People should
spin and weave themselves. He was, therefore., for the
removal of cloth control too. That might result in
increase of prices. He was told and he believed that if
people abstained from buying cloth for at the most six
months, the abstention was bound to result in a natural
fall in-prices. And he had suggested that in case of need in
the meantime the people should produce their own Khadl.
He did not at the present stage-bring in his belief in the
use of khadi to the exclusion of any other cloth. Once the
people began to produce their own food and cloth, it would
change their entire outlook. Today, they had gained
political independence only. By following his advice they
would gain economic independence also and that would
be felt by every villager. Then there would be no time
or inclination left for fighting amongst themselves. It
would result in elimination of other vices like drinking,
gambling etc. The people of India would gain in every
sense of the term. God would also help them, for. He
helped those who helped themselves.
76