MUMBAI, January 29: Patuck Technical High School & Junior College in Santacruz is commemorating the 50th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way. Inspired by Gandhi's ingenious theme of "Tolstoy Farm" in South Africa, this institute has recreated a mini-Tolstoy Farm in its campus to enable students and teachers to work together and grow fruits and vegetables in it.Principal of the institute, K G K Kurup, said though their Tolstoy Farm is not quite the same as the original started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1911, it still reflects, in a way, the ideas and principles Gandhi lived and died for.
"History was re-enacted when Dr Usha Mehta inaugurated our Tolstoy Farm recently," Kurup said. He recalled that at a time when racism was at its worst in South Africa, Gandhi had devised a commune of like-minded individuals on a piece of land stretching 1100 acres and named it Tolstoy Farm, following Leo Tolstoy's concept of community living.
"In our farm, however, students and teachers will practicehorticulture, which is a great social leveller as children from rich as well as poor backgrounds will toil equally to grow fruits and vegetables," the principal informed.
Dr Usha Mehta, who also initiated a study of "Gandhian Philosophy of Life"for the students, said: "Yours is the first institute to make a beginning in this direction. If others also take the initiative, India will be a better place."
A few freedom fighters from Gujarat and Maharashtra were also felicitated on the occasion.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
