I have neither the mood nor the time to work with him. Setbacks follow one another, but still we can't really call them setbacks. This is what I want to tell you and explain.
I will tell you briefly about the setback to my previous plan. One day in Mussoorie, I explained to the mandali a plan that I had in mind. It concerned a fortnight's journey without sleep. In order to activate the plan and give it a practical shape, I called Hellan, Kishan Singh, Elcha and Kumar to Mussoorie. I told them to arrange for a station wagon in which we could travel together. I explained to them that my plan for going out concerned some definite work, and side by side, we would contact masts at certain places. And, for the purpose, I told them to try to hire or borrow a good station wagon. Elcha and Hellan were responsible for this, and I had asked Kishan to write to Delhi about it also.
Kishan did not write, and Kumar did not tell Elcha that the Nanhi Duniya institution's station wagon could be made available.1 Elcha, however, had full confidence that a station wagon could be provided easily. So one day I called all four to Mussoorie and repeatedly told and warned them that I must have a station wagon. The poor work had already had a setback, and if this fortnight's journey's plan did not materialize, my whole plan would be upset
They were sent suggestions about the station wagon and reminded practically every day. I kept telling them that if the conveyance was not made available, and we did not travel together, my work would be spoiled. Rs.40 daily was allotted to cover the cost of hire and petrol, et cetera. Hellan depended on Elcha, and one day Elcha telephoned Mussoorie from Dehra Dun that a station wagon had been arranged. On receipt of this glad news, I distributed sweets among the mandali.
But, mind you, my plan did not depend on the station wagon, but on three things: fifteen days roaming about, fifteen days no sleep, and fifteen days moving about from place to place together , which was only possible if a station wagon was procured. Soon after, I returned to Dehra Dun from Mussoorie, and daily there was discussion about it. Kumar, too, was told to see to it.
Whatever it may be, I was very serious about it.
Footnotes
- 1.Nanhi Duniya was a school for deaf and dumb children in Dehra Dun, which previously had been given some of the New Life animals.