Mahatma Gandhi 27 - The Indian Natal Congress Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

The purpose of Gandhiji's trip to South Africa,
To solve Dada Abdulla's case,
With law on Dada's side, Gandhiji felt,
An amicable settlement between opponents,
Would be more advantageous rather than
Creating more anger between the relatives,
An unbridgeable rift between the warring sides!
Gandhiji made full effort,
To be a friend of both parties,
‘Strained every nerve'
To bring about a compromise, and
Gandhiji succeeded!

Gandhiji felt joyful, a tremendous amount of satisfaction,
In the success of his work through the practice of law!
He had learnt the secret of human nature,
To settle the cases in a peaceful way!
The true quality of a lawyer was not
To tear two quarrelling sides apart but
To unite the opponents with gentle persuasion!
Gandhiji handled hundreds of cases;
A private settlement or compromise was much
Superior to long drawn legal battle in the court!
Being such a noble lawyer, Gandhiji,
‘Lost nothing -no money and surely, not his soul! '

Gandhiji's work completed in Pretoria,
He returned to Durban,
Began preparation for his return to India!
Man makes so many plans but,
Destiny has its own secret devices,
To change them so swiftly that
There is no other way,
But to flow with the tide, so helpless!
Gandhiji did not return to India,
Instead, stayed back in South Africa,
To resolve many unsolved issues of
The Indian community!

A Flashback! 1860!
The Europeans in Natal,
Recruited Indians as labourers,
For the cultivation of Sugarcane!
Though the initial agreement or indenture
To work in Natal was only five years,
The cultivation grew and prospered.
The cultivators were given full rights of ownership.
The Indians encouraged by the success of the crop,
Did not stop at sugarcane alone but
Began growing a variety of vegetables and fruits,
Mangoes blossomed much to the delight of all around.

The agriculture flourished,
The Indian farmers thrived,
Their hard work began showing signs of prosperity.
Gradually, the Indians who were humble farmers
Started to enter the lucrative trade business!
What started off as a small, one time labour earning,
Changed to big money and profit!
The Indian community, now had land owners
And rich trade merchants.
Merchants began streaming in from India,
To settle down in Natal,
To trade, thrive and prosper!

Now, began a competition with the native in Natal!
Antagonism against Indian traders developed,
Resulting in a bill to impose tax on the indentured Indians!
Gandhiji who studied the history of these Indians,
Initiated and formed the Natal Indian Congress!
When tax was imposed, Gandhiji along with
The members of Natal Indian Congress
Organised a fierce campaign against this tax!
Had the community given up the struggle or abandoned
The campaign against the tax as inevitable,
The unjustifiable tax would have been levied from Indians
Till date! Once again, Gandhiji succeeded in his venture!