Page 183 - JyotipunjEng

220

many ways. Nathabhai did not defend or contest even a single
point. When everybody was tired, he said softly, “In the coming
corporation elections, some of you friends should hold the
command of candidature. The Jana Sangh would nominate you.”
None of the teachers agreed to be a candidate. At this, Nathabhai
challenged them, “No place in democracy can lie vacant. If you
didn’t come, the goons and unfit people would occupy that
place.” Listening to this, all teachers present there, numbering
about 25-30, fell silent.

After the fall of the Janata Party at the centre (Delhi), the
Janata Party lost the elections. A journalist from Delhi came to
interview Nathabhai. He asked, “Why did you lose so terribly
in the elections?” At this, Nathabhai retorted, “We lost because
people did not vote for us.” The journalist had no words to say
further. In such a brief analysis, he had uttered a very profound
fact.

A large number of intellectual friends, such as the famous
humour writer Vinod Bhatt used to visit Hedgewar Bhavan to
have gossip with Nathabhai. Nathabhai served them sabudana
khichdi (sago), because he was expert in cooking it.

Vasantbhai Gajendragadkar was an advocate. He met
Nathabhai at the court. In some time, other advocates too grew
curious about Nathabhai and waited for him often. It was normal
for Nathabhai to visit the court and meet senior advocates there.

Joy of Eating
It never occurred that Nathabhai was present and the get-

together was not held, that too without eatables. It was supreme
joy when fafda, ganthiya, khaman or pakodas (Gujarati
delicacies) were served. If volunteers visited, he would ask
rightfully, “Why brother, how have you come empty-handed?”

The Bhabhis (friends’ wives) enjoyed a unique place in the
family of Nathabhai. He knew well which Bhabhi was expert in
cooking dhokla, and which in pithalun bhat, and which one in
handava, or methi pakodas. As soon as he entered the house,
both parties knew what is to be cooked that day. Nathabhai had
a number of favourite families identified after the favourite