A devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he had actively participated in the freedom struggle. And post-Independence he lives only to realise Gandhi’s principles of serving humanity.
Baji Mohammed, 93-year-old, a resident of Nabrangpur district in Odisha is too frail to work. But, he still holds Gandhian principles close to the heart. Influenced by Gandhi’s approach of non-violence in his school-days, he had made up his mind to meet him. And his dream was fulfilled when he met Gandhi at the age of 21 in 1941 at Wardha Ashram.
“I had no money but I had to see Gandhiji. So, I and one of my friends lakshman Sahu took a cycle and covered some 350 km amidst thick forests and hilly terrain to reach Raipur in Chhatisgarh.
From there we boarded a train for Wardha where I met Gandhiji,” said Baji, a bachelor.
“I was overwhelmed after seeing him. Gandhiji asked me if I was a Satyagrahi. When I said I had pledged to be one, he asked me to face the British lathis and sacrifice my life for the nation. I knew what was waiting for me next,” he added.
Seven days later Baji returned to Nabarangpur and he did what Gandhiji had said him. He performed individual Satyagraha in an anti-war protest outside the Nabrangpur Masjid.