Page 15 - Gujar Mal Modi

were yet far away. Everything was less expensive and even a little money could

buy a lot. And so, out of the pocket money, the boy would meet his daily expens-
es on snacks and yet save something for helping the poor and needy students.

something unimaginable in these days of spiraling prices.

The movement started by Swami Dayanand and other con temporary reformers
against child marriages and other customs had made a deep impact on society.

The custom of early marriages had not, however, disappeared altogether. The
Modi family, essentially, was orthodox. So the marriage of the young Gujarmal

was solemnised at the early age of 13 in 1915. At the time of his marriage with
Rajban Devi, daughter of Mr. Goverdhan Das of village Singhana in Rajasthan. He

was still studying at the Model School, Patiala. Gauna, the post-marriage cere-
mony when the bride comes to live with her husband, took place two years later.

Marriage did not have any adverse effect on the education of the young Modi.
What did, however, disturb his studies was an otherwise minor incident at school

which eventually disrupted his school education. The incident relates to the year
1920 when he was studying in the tenth standard. It was a cloudy day and there

was cool breeze blowing all around. The weather outside was extremely pleas-
ant and inviting and the Mathematics teacher. Mr. Chopra, suggested that the

students might go on an excursion on that fine day.

The suggestion was met with spontaneous response and the overjoyed students
started preparing for an outing. But the principal, who was not on good terms

with the Mathematics teacher, came in the way. Taking advantage of the situa-
tion, he levelled the allegation that the teacher was inciting the students to go

on strike and had, thus, violated the discipline of the school. He also asked the
students to apologise. The students led by Gujarmal, opposed this suggestion.

They argued that as students they were not to blame and should, therefore, not
be asked to apologise. The principal, however, was in no mood to listen. Ulti-

mately, the echoes of the incident reached the Maharaja. There, too the young
Gujarmal turned Student leader, argued the case of the students fearlessly and

sought justice at the hands of the Maharaja.

While Gujarmal was thus engaged in pursuing the case of the students, the last

08