"to breathe the air of freedom"

Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand, leader of India during the Indian independence movement (1869-1948). Autograph letter draft.

N. p., apparently March 1946.

8vo. 1 p.

 18,500.00

Written on the reverse side of a portion of a 1946 letter written to Gandhi from a young Western follower, George Mammen. Gandhi has penned some closely-written notes - clearly a draft for a letter. He writes, in fountain pen ink: "Our India will have need of you. You have had your training. You will give India the benefit of that training. It would be sad only if after the trials and suffering ["of war" stricken out] that our soldiers have been through, they forget the lessons of their eyes, the moment the peril is lifted. But one thing you should remember, under national Govt, you won't be pampered. You won't have all those lavish remunerations and privileges which a foreign Govt. bribed you with at the expense of India. India is destitute. You can serve her only by showing her destitution and poverty. Otherwise you will earn not the gratitude but the execration of your country. [Now writing at the top of the page:] You will, I know, fully share in this freedom, only to breathe the air of freedom with your countrymen".

Somewhat wrinkled and dust-soiled; small pinhead-sized holes on top.

Stock Code: BN#30305 Tags: ,