Respect for Gandhiji from the land of the rising Sun!

Kanokogi san in Delhi

This is my 49^th visit to India since 1973, said the octogenarian Kenkichi Kanokogi,  when I met him for the first time yesterday on 13th February, 2014 at the Japan Foundation in Delhi.  He had just returned from the Anasakti Ashram, Kausani in Uttarakhand.  He informed me that he had gone to  Kausani because  Gandhiji  had found his inspiration there!  During his many visits to India, Kanokogi san has been to the Sabarmati Ashram, Porbandar, Mani Bhavan,  Aga Khan Palace and perhaps  Sewagram Ashram too. He has practically  visited most of  the places where Gandhiji had lived and worked as according to him Gandhiji   was deeply religious and sacrificed his life for the Nation.

The snow clad mountain peaks of the Himalayas are to the North of Kausani forming its horizon. No peak is less than 2000 meters high.The grandeur of the mountains, the calming & peaceful qualities of nature are simultaneously present in Kausani. Gandhiji wrote his introduction to his translation of the Gita in Kausani. 

Anasakti Ashram in Kausani 

In 1929, Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 days here to finish the Gita. He named it  Anasakti Yoga. He wanted to present to the people not only the message of the Gita but his own experience, while attempting to mould his conduct according to the Gita.  Every evening at 6 pm prayers are conducted in the main hall at Anasakti Ashram in Gandhiji's memory. One can can stay in the Ashram but one must respect the rules, including attending evening prayers.

With the jhola

 Today, once again I met this very serene Japanese gentleman who exuded calmness from every pore of his being. He has been with the ''Japan India Association'' for over 40 years and is the Vice President of the ''Discover India Club'' in Tokyo. It was an unusual sight to see a Japanese gentleman carrying a jhola on his shoulders, while  he looked very much at ease. He has bought the bag from Shantiniketan, no from Sriniketan, he informed me. ‘’I like it very much’’, said the man of few words as he carried everything required for the meeting in the Sriniketani jhola.