Dhake, Pendu and Rustom were at the train station to receive them.Rustom had begun a fast seventeen days before (on the day Baba left Nasik for his tour), and he now broke it in Baba's presence.
Baba first visited the women mandali at the Pigeon House, where he had his meals and took a bath.He came to Gyas Manzil at 5:00 P.M. and devotees flocked around him, especially the boys.After giving darshan to all, Baba went upstairs to rest and spent an hour going through the accumulated mail.
Bijapur, 11 March 1930
After his return to Nasik, the boy Bhiwa was added to the list of Baba's orderlies.Pilamai's son Vithal was also eager to remain near Baba and he, too, was allowed.Beheram and Padri returned that night from Bombay.
Baba sent Raosaheb to Bombay to see Aga Ali's father.Raosaheb was informed that Ali was unable to return from Persia, because his mother was unwilling to send him.(The father also demanded some payment in advance.)Raosaheb returned to Nasik on 13 March 1930, and a telegram was sent to Ardeshir in Persia saying that if Aga Ali was not allowed to return to India, Ardeshir should return.
Meanwhile, the Kashmiri boy Pandit had written that he was unable to come to Nasik due to his school examinations.Pandit was sent another telegram to come as soon as his exams were over.
On the 13th, the leader of the Harijans in the city came to see Baba and informed him of their resolve to go on strike against their employers because of prejudicial mistreatment.He asked for the Master's advice, which Baba gave:
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"Hold on and continue to strike non-violently for ten days, and you will succeed.Your grievances will be met.My blessings to you."
The man invited Baba to view the strike, but Baba did not promise to do so.
The next day, however, when Baba was returning from a visit to Tapovan, where he had gone to celebrate the Hindu holiday Holi, he told the driver to drive past the temple where the picketers were on strike.Recognizing Baba, the strikers acclaimed him, but Baba did not get out of the car.He left after briefly viewing the scene.
Baba was in severe pain due to the eruption of boils on his body, which had arisen on his return to Nasik.Walking, sitting, or reclining was difficult for him and he had a lot of itching despite applying ointment.
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