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The Mahatma
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Mr. Richard B. GreggAmerican friend and co-worker of Gandhiji.
American friend and co-worker of Gandhiji. Works include: ‘Economics of Khaddar’, ‘The Power for Non-Violence’, ‘A Compass of Civilization’, ‘Which way lies Hope?’There must be few in this world who could equal the amount of work which Bapu did. But under heaviest pressure of work and worry Bapu could have a healthy laugh. On hearing the sound of his laughter from a neighbouring room, I used to get astonished and my esteem for him grew. Once I asked him how he could laugh so in the midst of seriousness. His reply was that had he not had that capacity, he would have gone mad a long while ago.Another characteristic of his which struck me deeply was his insistence on going round the Ashram at least one in a day, and see the inmates, especially the sick ones. It impressed me very much.Once I visited the Ashram in the company of my wife. During our stay Bapu took personal interest in out comforts and especially of my wife. He would not miss to remember her before dining, bathing or retiring.I remember an incident which impressed me much at the time. Bapu had just recovered from serious illness. Shri Ambalal Sarabhai and his wife Shri Sarladevi of Ahmedabad were anxious that Bapu should get perfect rest and doubted if he could do so at the Ashram. They invited him to their bungalow. Bapu thanked them in sweet and kind words, but did not agree to leave the Ashram.