CHAPTER XLI
LIMBDI
(i) " Ramdas wants your mind "
From Jhansi Ramdas travelled towards Kathiawar and
made a few days' halt at Wadhwan City. Almost the
same programme as on the last occasion was gone through
here. He paid visits to Bala mandir and the kuti of
Jivraj Baloo. He stopped with Dr. Shukla who with his*
pure-hearted wife tended Ramdas with great kindness. On
the termination of his stay here, he was guided by the
friends of Limbdi to that State.
As on the previous occasions he made his residence at
Kantilal's house, where the old story of rushing visitors
was repeated. Raja Bam and mother Elizabeth came to
the house to see him. The old sugarcandy mothers daily
visited him with the offerings of the sweet crystals. The
wealthy brothers, Ugarchand Shet and Mohanbhai dropped
in twice a day. Invitations to dinner poured in from all
sides. Here Ramdas came in touch with two new friends,
Popatbhai and Joshi.
Popatbhai stuck on to Ramdas for over a month. He
was a pure and selfless soul. He was a Jain by birth and
a staunch disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, and had the benefit
of living in the Sabarmati ashram of Ahmedabad for
some years. He was clad in khaddar from top to toe. He
observed restrictions in food. He eschewed salt and
chillies. He was a simple, sincere and ever willing servant
of God, i. e. of humanity. He took a great liking for
Ramdas and became attached to him and so kept constant
company with him.
Joshi was the Municipal Chairman of the State. He
had lived for many years in South Africa and was one
of those who courted jail along with thousands in
that historic passive resistance struggle led by Mahatma