MAHATMA GHANDI IN ADEN
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After a tiring voyage of 1660 miles, daylight broke over the rock-crested shores of Aden, the first port of call on the trip from India to England.
Captain H. Morton Jack invited the Mahatma to the SS Rajputana's bridge, genially asking him if he would like to take the wheel for a few minutes. Instead of holding the ship to its course, Gandhi suddenly spun the wheel sharply to port. "Oh," he cackled, "I hope I don't capsize the boat and drown everybody!"
A big welcome awaited Gandhi and his party as they went ashore at Aden. There was wild cheering by local Indian merchants who afforded him an address of welcome and presented him with an offering of $1,625. Blinking through his glasses Gandhi replied both in Gujarati and English that he expected much more.
In his first public speech outside the Indian subcontinent since 1914 he declared that India did not stand for isolated independence. "One-fifth of the human race, becoming free through non-violence and truth can be a great force of service to the whole of mankind. ."
As always, Gandhiji wished to lead a simple life. He had given orders that he and his party were to travel by the lowest class, as deck passengers. When he discovered how much luggage his companions had brought with them, he insisted on seven trunks and suitcases being sent back from Aden, the first halt after Bombay.
The simple way of life that he extolled was associated, he claimed, with the Caliphs. He told the Arabs to help solve the Hindu-Muslim problem.
When Antonin Besse heard the news of Gandhi's assassination he wrote, on 30th January 1948, to his loyal Indian staff, whom he held in high regard:
"Dear Patel & Staff
No word can qualify such a crime. Though you and I follow different routes I wish you all to know that I sympathise from the depth of my heart and associate myself with your grief. Not India alone, but the whole thinking world have lost a Saint. Selfless, his entire life devoted to lighten suffering, to right wrongs, completely detached he stood as a great and radiating light to guide us all. Should you agree with me I would like you to inform all the staff that tomorrow our office will be closed as a day of mourning during which, I am sure, you will all like to unite and pray. A. Besse"
P&O SS Rajputana
A limited edition of 100 75th Anniversary covers was issued commemorating Gandhi's visit to Aden.
Gandhi also called at Aden on his way back to India. After the London Conference he travelled extensively in Europe before boarding an 8,000 ton Italian liner, the Lloyd Triestino’s Pilsna, at Brindisi . The Pilsna was engaged on the Trieste to Bombay ‘Fast India Service’. The ship arrived in Aden on 22nd December 1931, but on this occasion in the heat of the day. His programme was similar to that when he had landed in Aden on September. At 2 p.m. he was accorded a Reception in Crater.
When he had spoken on 2nd September he had remarked (only when he spoke in Gujerati, not when he spoke in English) on the parsimony of the Aden merchants with reference to the size of the purse they had presented to him (about 4,000 rupees). He had expected more! They had had another whip-round for his return, the purse amounting this time to 3,775 rupees, plus another 325 from Jibuti.
This visit was perhaps less formal than the first one – certainly there was not a repeat of the problem with the Congress flag, which in September was only slightly belatedly flown after the Acting Resident had authorised it.
A few quotes from his discourse which, due to the complete disorder at the meeting, only those standing close to him would have been able to hear:
“I said in one word before leaving Bombay for London that I did not expect much and though I have returned with empty hands I am thankful to be able to say that I have returned with clean hands.”
Much was said about non-violence and all Indians being nice to Arabs and Jews.
“The struggle is based on perfection, non-violence and truth and it is open to you to render help in hundreds of ways. I mention khaddar [hand-spun cotton fabric of Indian origin]. By selling khaddar you can collect money and that is the least you can do. You can do constructive work by wearing khaddar instead of foreign and mill made cloth. I congratulate you for opening a khaddar shop here.”
More contentious perhaps to some in his audience were his thoughts on alcohol and drugs:
“You are living here and I do not know whether you have any liquor shops or not. If you have any I advise you to get rid of them. If you are given to eating opium or smoking ganja [marijuana] give up this because of Swaraj [home-rule for India].”
He ended by thanking the police for the admirable arrangements they had made to keep peace and order in Aden. (Whether he was referring to the general security situation in Aden, or the arrangements for his visit is not entirely clear).
Following the reception he was driven through the town, being loudly cheered and greeted with the usual slogans. He also called at the khaddar shop where he was presented with a piece of cloth. Large crowds had assembled at various spots in the Crater, curious to catch sign of him. At 4 p.m. he went to the residency to call on the Resident, after which he returned to his ship.