CENTENARIAN RECALLS BAPU’S SPEECH EFFECT

Bengaluru: It was a call to fund the freedom struggle and Mahatma Gandhi spoke only for 10 minutes in Hindi, a language a majority who had gathered at Madhugiri did not understand, but his tone conveyed the meaning and donations poured in, a centenarian lexicographer said Tuesday. Recalling the incident which happened in 1927, Prof G. Venkatasubbiah said the effect of his speech was such that the people of Madhugiri in present day Tumakuru district in south Karnataka thronged around Mahatama Gandhi to donate for the cause, he said. People had come only to listen to the Mahatma. They did not bring any cash with them. They had no inkling that such a plea for charity would be made. Yet, when the programme was over, women were at the forefront in giving away their gold necklaces, bangles and rings,” reminisced Prof Venkatasubbaiah, said to be 105 years old. He was speaking at the 149th birth annivesary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Sharada Stree Samaja in the city. The programme was organised by the Samaja and the Karnataka Department of Information and Public Relations ( DIPR).