Be The Broom To Be The Change !
ServiceSpace
--Kishan Laddha
6 minute read
Sep 15, 2017

 

Ishwarbhai used to share recipe of a wonderful parenthood - "father's resolve (Dridhta) and mother's compassionate love (Mamta) ", shared Vasudhabaa, mother of Jayesh bhai and noble life companion of Ishwar dada on remembering him on his birth anniversary on 13 Sep.


On birth anniversary of Ishwardada, 250 family members from across eco system got together in the spirit of giving tribute to him. At 9 AM in the morning, elders of the family such as Vasudha baa, Ajeet Dada, Maffat Dada, Kanchan Dada and Dhiru Mama (all 72+ years) were requested to share their learning and reflections from Ishwarbhai. Sharing a glimpse of the nuggets of wisdom showered on us:

Vasudha Baa

I studied and grew up in Mumbai, for me accommodating in a village was not an easy task. In the beginning it was even more difficult for me to make peace with toilets, in every conversation Ishwarbhai will bring in toilets. I used to wonder what makes this person so passionate until I started developing deep regards for his compassion - How can any sister or mother shall suffer for not having as basic facility as toilet in her home. I want every household to be equipped with toilets, Ishwarbhai would say. As a part of his research, Once he asked me to sit with him in weighing the poo, while doing so, he explained the science behind designing the toilets, how socio-cultural habits, eating habits, nature of soil, environment, possibility of drainage - so many factors decide in designing a good toilet. I used to wonder at his compassion. He was a man who used to love cleanliness and he would define it "putting everything (even poo) in its proper place is cleanliness". Understanding and learning from his practices, I would make sure that our home is clean, yet, when he would come home, he would arrange chairs, cushions, utensils in an absolute arrangement. Initially I would feel bad that I couldn't do my task better, but he would lovingly say, its now in my habit and I want to make sure with cleanliness, if with some more arrangement we can invite beauty too. Smilingly baa shared, when they would go to meet someone, Ishwarbhai would pick garbage from the vicinity. I used to tell him, why do you do that, our host might be offended. But I would notice when we will go to see the same person next time, the host would ensure that even the vicinity would be very clean. His focus on small acts created immense ripples, I witnessed it then and I witness it now.

He used to spend 20-24 days outstation in a month, traveling remote parts of the country and world (later)When he would come home, Jayesh would excitingly ask - "papa what did you bring for us?" He would say - " dirty clothes to be washed", Jayesh would be disappointed but then he would tell me about "Maa ki Mamta and Pita ki Dridhta" (mother's compassionate love and father's resolve). I decided that I would support his journey thoroughly and would become his strength while taking care of the home. She shared Today, I feel immense pride and joy that my children are walking on the path paved by their father.

Kanchan Dada (86 years)

Saadhak (seeker), Shodhak (scientist) and Srujak (creator) - Ishwarbhai was a mentor, friend, philosopher and brother to me, shared Kanchan Dada (79 years) paying tribute to his birth anniversary. I know him since we were 14-15 years.

Ishwarbhai's Sadhna (seeking) started very early During primary school, through his teacher Gopal Dada , participating in a clean street competition, the seeds of compassion to address untouchability were planted in him. when he was studying in grade 9th, he lost his mother and at early stage of his life he understood what it takes to run a home. He got a work in his home town to clean and fill up kerosene lamps, fill water pots of few shopkeepers. In return he used to receive some money with that he would pay his school fees. Post education, both of us went to Mumbai and worked and trained there for 10 years from legends like Appa Saheb.
​​​​
Then started Ishwarbhai's shodhak (researcher) stage was rooted in deep compassion he would do experiments with the tools of cleaning, different types of toilets, understanding and learning from practices of people. He established Safai Vidyalaya (school of sanitation) to do further research, there he designed many kinds of toilets, not patenting a single one. He would say, I learnt it from people, its their resource, even now all the toilet designs are freely available to public.

In Srujak stage, Safai Vidyalaya built lacs of toilets and facilitated construction of millions of toilets. The creation was not just with toilets, it was with systems, people and spaces. He used to say, I want to make people experience sanitation in the most beautiful way. The very institution ESI is a creation of his dreams. Today, I feel immense gratitude for his journey and contribution to the humanity.


Maffat Dada
Ishwarbhai had a very unanimous appeal and an attitude of being non judgemental, any individual however big dignitary or small, from whichever political / social / religious affiliation, he would deal with everyone with same love and respect. Assist everyone and take assistance of everyone whenever needed.

I learnt from him that this life is a gift and how can one use it for the well being of the society. Love and compassion, if one has in heart, Ishwarbhai showed, one can change the world. Walking on path of his father, I witness life of Jayesh (my son in law) , the way he established an empire of love and compassion and my heart feel joyous that Anar and Jayesh are walking on the path of universal goodness. This loving empire to me is like a "Banyan Tree", ever expanding yet strongly connected with the roots.

Dhirumama
I worked with Ishwarbhai for many years, to me two things stands apart and I feel deep gratitude for him. The way lord Krishna has given Geeta, Ishwar bhai gave - Safai Geeta (epic of cleanliness). His whole life was an exemplary example of cleanliness both inner and outer. Outer while engaging in hard core on ground toilet constructions, inner - focusing on character. If one loses wealth, one loses nothing. Wealth can always be earned back. If one loses, health, one loses something. But if one loses character, one loses everything.
I feel gratitude that I knew a person who not only retained his character, but built it and became an example to others.

Ajeetdada:
I was born and brought up in Gandhi Ashram, I knew Ishwarbhai when I used to work in Ashram Gaushala. In 1960s I joined Safai Vidyalaya and ever since then I learnt a great deal of how to live joyously. Once I was pursuing a donor and Ishwarbhai asked me status, I shared I tried meeting thrice for some reasons I couldn't. Quoting Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and freedom movement, he firmly told, we are asking for our children, if we don't receive support they suffer. Ever since then, I developed an alertness and mindfulness that every action has ripple.

Ajeetdada is secretary of Gujarat Harijan Sevak Sangh and Sabarmati Harijan Ashram Trust both institutions founded by Gandhiji that serve thousands of children from most marginalized communities every year across Gujarat imparting value based education with proper nutrition.


Listening from the likes of Vasudha baa, Kanchan Dada, Mafat Dada, Dhiru Mama and Ajeet Dada itself is a treat. All of them in many ways walked and are walking on the path of universal goodness. Another grandparent shared, in Hindu mythology, there are thousands of Gods, but none for cleanliness, Ishwarbhai lived like one human being remembered for cleanliness dignifying the broom.

Reflecting on the day Madhu (one of us) shared "be the broom, to bring the change" - how can we become the broom that is always available to serve to clean within generating music connecting hearts.

 

Posted by Kishan Laddha on Sep 15, 2017