A Successful Function
MARCH 23, 1925: The Hindu had the honour of receiving Mahatma Gandhi in its offices, in Mount Road, yesterday afternoon [March 22] on the occasion of the unveiling by him of the portrait of the late Mr. S. Kasturi Ranga Iyengar. The function was simple and impressive; and was largely attended by representatives of the various communities. It was in the nature of an All Parties gathering as was humourously remarked by Mr. S. Srinivasa Iyengar at the close of the ceremony. The buildings were tastefully decorated with evergreens and national flags, the scheme of decorations carried out in the central hall being particularly nice and attractive.
Punctually at 3 p.m. Mahatmaji drove to our office at the entrance of which he was received on arrival by the Editor and the Managing Proprietor, amidst the joyous shouts of the eager crowds who had collected near the building and in the Vizianagaram fountain opposite. Mahatmaji who was accompanied by Mr. S. Srinivasa Iyengar and Mahadeva Desai was then led up the staircase to the hall where the Assembly rising to its feet gave him an enthusiastic ovation. Mahatmaji took his seat on the dais and with him were Annie Besant, the Rt. Lion. V. S. Srinivasa Sastri and Mr. S. Srinivasa Iyengar.
Mahatmaji’s Speech
Mahatmaji then spoke as follows:-
Mr. Chairman and Friends – When I received the invitation to unveil this portrait in my reply I said that I would feel honoured to perform this ceremony, I feel doubly honoured now first because you have given me this privilege of unveiling the portrait of the late Mr. Kasturiranga Iyengar and secondly because I am doing it under the Chairmanship of one whom I love and respect. It shows great wisdom on the part of those who have issued these invitations that they have confined their attention or invitation to no one party, but to all parties.
The Work Before Journalists
I have not been able as I have told you, to follow the newspapers lately for several years, but I have heard the Editor and Mr. Kasturiranga Iyengar’s son are following closely the policy and the traditions they have inherited from their illustrious chief. I hope that it will continue to render the same service that Mr. Kasturiranga Iyengar for such a long time rendered to the country. Journalism has a distinct place in familiarising and expressing public opinion. We are yet cultivating or we have yet to cultivate the best of journalism among us. We have many wonderfully able journalists to copy. We have also patriots who lived long ago like Kristodas Pal. When it was difficult to speak or write fearlessly, he led public opinion and he never hesitated to say what the country wanted or what he himself felt. We have those wonderfully good traditions therefore to follow; yet from whatever little I know of journalism. I realise that there is still a great deal to be done. In our march towards our goal I know that journalism will play a most important part in shaping the destinies of our country.
I have, therefore, never been tired of reiterating to journalists whom I know that journalism should never be prostituted for selfish ends or for the sake of merely earning a livelihood or, worse still, for amassing money. Journalism, to be useful and serviceable to the country will take its definite place only when it becomes unselfish and when it devotes its best for the service of the country and whatever happens to the editors or to the journal itself, editors would express the views of our country irrespective of consequences. I think that we have in our midst the making of journalism of that character. “The Hindu” is one of those few newspapers which can do so. It has acquired a prestige which is all its own. Let me therefore hope that the present managers and the editorial staff of “The Hindu” will continue to follow the best traditions and may I also add that the best way of glorifying one’s inheritance is not merely to keep it intact but to add to it.
Silver Chakra Presented to Mahatmaji
Mr. K. Srinivasa Iyengar, the Managing Proprietor, stepping on to the dais, presented Mahatmaji with a handsome silver spinning wheel, as a souvenir of his visit to “The Hindu”, and his brother, Mr. K. Gopala Iyengar garlanded him.
Vote of Thanks
On behalf of “The Hindu”, Mr. S. Srinivasa Iyengar proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for his presence at this, what he might all the All Parties’ Conference. (Laughter and applause). “Because,” he said, “I think I have not seen him for some time and I am now quite glad to see that he is quite as well as he was, I am afraid he is overrating his infirmity. If he speaks, as he was speaking this afternoon, I have no doubt he will grow younger. That is the medicine that I would prescribe to him. (Laughter).
“We have listened to two finished speeches on the duties of a journalist. I do not mean to address you on that subject. I have no business to do it, as I feel I am essentially a man of action. I do not see any difference in the two addresses. What Mr. Srinivasa Sastri said was exactly what Mahatmaji had stated. I do not see any difference. If there is any difference, I loyally, of course, agree with Mahatmaji.” (Laugher and applause).
Mahatmaji. But there is no difference! – (Renewed laughter).
Mr. S. Srinivasa Iyengar also proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mahatmaji. He congratulated Mr. Nagappa on the very good likeness he has produced of the late Mr. Kasturiranga Iyengar. And before resuming his seat, he expressed the hope that this All Parties’ Conference would be the beginning of better days.
Messrs. K. Abdur Rahiman and Sons, Perfumers, Kumbakonam, through their representative, Mr. Ramaswamy Iyengar, presented artistic rose and Khaddar garlands to the Mahatma and the Chairman of the meeting.
A few among the audience were introduced to Mahatmaji and with the distribution of chandan, pan supari and flowers, the function came to a happy termination.
The Guests
Among those present were Dr. Annie Besant, the Raja of Ramnad, the Raja of Kollengode, Sir A. P. Patro, Sir K. V. Reddi Naidu, Dr. P. Subbarayan, Mr. T.R. Venkatrama Sastri, Mr. T. V. Seshagiri Iyer, Mrs. K. Sathianadhan, Dewan Bahadurs L.D. Swamikannu Pillai, P. Kesava Pillai, L.A. Govindaraghava Iyer, G. Narayanaswami Chetti, S. Bavanandam Pillai, P. Parankusam Naidu, A.V. Ramalinga Iyer, V. Masilamani Pillai and C.V. Muniswamy Iyer, Rao Bahadurs O. Thanikachalam Chetti, C. Ramanujachari, D. Seshacharlu, T. Varadarajulu Naidu, T.A. Ramalingam Chetti, O. Kandaswamy Chetti, N. Gopalaswmi Iyengar, V.A. Anantarama Iyer, V. Alwar Chetti, A. Krishnaswami Iyer, T. Varadarajulu Naidu, M.C. Raja, C. Natesa Mudaliar, J. Chelvaranga Raju, C.V.S. Narasimha Raju, V. Govindan, and O.A.O.K. Lakshmana Chettiar, Rao Sahibs G. Venkataranga Rao, U. Rama Rao and S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar, Drs. N. Venkataswamy Chetti, G. Narayanaswamy Mudaliar, M. Vijaraghavalu and M. Guruswamy Mudaliar, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Vidya Sagar Pandya, Mr. and Mrs. G. Sundaram, Sister Balambal, Col. Ganpat Rai, Major M.A. Kureishi, Messrs. C. Rajagopalachariar, S. Satyamurti, C. Ramalinga Reddi, Yakub Liasan, Sami Venkatachalam Chetti, Uppi Sahib, Hamid Khan, T. Adinarayana Chetti, Bhakthavathsalu Naidu, Surendranath Arya, Burra Satyanarayans, P.V. Venkatarama Iyer, Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer, T.V. Muthukrishna Iyer, K.V. Krishnaswami Iyer, R. Srinivasa Iyengar, R. Narasimha Iyengar, V. Venkateswarulu, E.D. Iyer, Sashi Bushanrath Mahasayo, P.A. Subramania Iyer, V.G. Vasudeva Pillai, Herman, T.S. Ramaswami Iyer, K.R. Ramaswami Iyengar, A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, D.R. Balaji Rao, T. Prakasam, C.R. Srinivasa Iyengar, V.S. Venkataraman, A.R. Doraiswami Iyengar, C. Venkatarangam Naidu, K. Govinda Menon, A.A. Hayles, G.W. Prombead, W. Stephenson, C.H. Robertson, A.H. Ferguson, T.S. Ramaswami Iyer, S. Soundararaja Iyengar, V. Chakkarai Chetti, B. Shiva Rao, N. Ramanuja Iyengar, P.N. Srinivasachari, M.R. Narasimha Iyengar, T.S. Anantarama Iyer, A. Narasimha Iyer, M.A. Anantalwar, Abdul Lateef Farukhi, K.S. Aravamadu Iyengar, B. Chitti Babu Naidu, K. Balasubramania Iyer, K. Bhashyam Iyengar, V.C. Rangaswami Iyengar, S. Rangaswami Iyengar, A. Chakravarthi Nayanar, N. Chandrasekhara Iyer, C. Gopala Menon, K. Govindachari, S. Gopalaswamy Iyengar, Hamid Sultan Marikkayar, E.S. Srinivasachariar, N. Sivaraj, K. Nageswara Rao, A.C. Parthasarathi Naidu, D. Raghavendra Rao, K. Vyasa Rao, Shafi Mahomed, Abdul Hamid Khan, M. Subbaraya Iyer, P.N. Sivagnana Mudaliar, C.A. Vaidyarama Iyer, J. Ranga Raju, R. Suryanarayana Rao, P. Kothanda Rao, M.A. Ghatala Sahib, K. Changalvaraya Iyer, V.C. Seshachariar and P. Siva Rao.
Published – March 22, 2025 12:32 am IST
