Compiled by Surendra Shahi
The history witnessed that when the evils arise, the weaker are oppressed, the needy are deprived, throughout the period the earth gave birth to the heroes who stood as the protectors, leaders and liberator for millions of people. Among the great veterans, Late Tulsi Mehar Shrestha was one of the star who shined and set off in Nepal with leaving lots of good deeds, guidance and message to the people of Nepal.
Tulsi Mehar was born in humble middle class Newar family in 30th December 1896 A.D. at Kuli Mha Tole of Lalitpur District of Nepal. He was the only child of his family. Inspired by reading the book of Maharshi Dayanand "The Light of Truth" Tulsi Mehar brought himself changes in his own life. His self realization about the truth and observation of self-disciplined was the key message he was delivering to the mass people. In those early days when country was in the grips of the autocrat Rana regime when people were not allowed to educate and to express their views freely Late Tulsi Mehar Shrestha dared to disseminate the messages to the society about the importance of self awareness and urged to wake up against ignorance and evil of the society. He began appearing into the public and advocating on the wicked side of prevalent religion specially against rigid caste system and oppression of people especially women. His vision towards social reform and development was to emphasize on women's empowerment and for which he was propagating about the need of education of women and income generation program to make women economically self-reliant. It looked simple but was very tough at that time when women were observing "Parda" vail system and motivating and driving women to economic activities was the heroic activities at those days.
Because of Tulsi Mehar's such deeds the then Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher J. B. Rana charged him as an anti-national and awarded punishment of either life imprisonment or life long exile. Filled by far sighted mind and vision, Tulsi Mehar decided to accept life long exile since he thought he could not do anything for the country if would he be rotted inside the wall of the jail, so he pleaded the prime minister to have him sent for exile.
With little money granted by Shree Tin Chandra Samser, Late Tulsi Mehar Shrestha set out for India. His search for truth and his strong will and dedication to work for the society took him to close contact with Mahatma Gandhi (the great soul) of India. He stayed in Savarmati, Wardha and Sewagram Ashram and dedicated his whole heart to learn spinning and weaving technique. His time with Mahatma Gandhi gave him an opportunities to gain experience and insight to the liberation of suffered people and his commitment and conviction to fight back with evil in his own country became more firmed.
After acquiring the expertise in the field of spinning, weaving etc, he returned to Nepal in 1923 with inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to the Nepali prime minister to allow Tulsi Mehar to come back to Nepal and let him work for the sake of Nepalese people. The Rana Prime Minister gave him consent and Tulsi Mehar started a small project of spinning and weaving some ninety five years ago.
The first place from where Tulsi Mehar commenced his journey to render service to the society was from Shankhamul Ghat (at the bank of Bagmati River) of Lalitpur District. In those days and yet, the river is regarded as the sacred place. Tulsi Mehar sow a seed of cottage industry in Nepal through a gift of a bundle of raw cotton handed over by Gandhi, which he used as a raw material for spinning programme. He established an institution named "Shree Tin Chandra Kamdhenu Charkha Pracharak Mahaguthi" in 1927 which is one of first kind social service organization. Following this, he also founded another organization in commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi named "Nepal Gandhi Smarak Nidhi". Through these two organization he was rendering service to the society. In 1973, these two organizations were amalgamated into one under the name of "Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi". He was a orthodox follower of Mahatma Gandhi's principle of self reliance and practice of self employed.
Prior to Tulsi Mehar's effort to initiate spinning and weaving project, people of Kathmandu Valley used to grow cotton in their own field and spin and weave on their own. The establishment of " Trichandra Kamdhenu Charkha Pracharak Mahaguthi" was the first initiative of the country to start such work in an institutional based and in organized way. Tulsi Mehar was able to impress the Rana Prime Minister from his skill and expertise in this field. He had also gained sympathy from Mahatma Gandhi which made the Rana Prime Minister to grant him Rs. 750.00 to start the cottage textile industry, "A Khadi" project. A retail outlet was set up in the Mangal Bazar through where production, raw material collection and distribution was channeled. This small outlet later developed as "Mahaguthi, Craft With a Conscience" in 1984 which at present serves over 1000 producers throughout Nepal.
It was Tulsi Mehar's long cherished dream to establish an ideal residential type of training centre in Manohara, Kathmandu for the cause and care of the widowed and the abandoned women. The dream appeared nearing realization in 1977, when he was awarded "Nehru Award" for international understanding and recognition for his social service. He donated the whole amount of Rs. 145,000.00 to establish a residential type of training and rehabilitation center for the betterment and upliftment of widowed and destitute women of the society. This center provides training in weaving, sewing, knitting etc. to the destitute women and imparts education to their children as well.
Tulsi Mehar died in 27th September 1978 soon after he received " Nehru Award".
From the collection of handful of grains from individual, Tulsi Mehar was able to inculcate in people's mind the habit of donating on regular basis at those time. The campaign called " Musthi Dan" means keeping aside a handful of grains from everydays meal and donate on regular basis was initiated by Tulsi Mehar in organized way which in long run turned Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi, the one of leading non- governmental organization possessing huge fixed property at the present time. Many of present Nepalese organizations have followed same principle of reducing dependency on foreign donation and marched towards the self- reliant. Tulsi Mehar's ideology was also inclined to the development of people within organization. He was putting much emphasizes on training particularly in vocational skill.
Word from the author, Surendra Shahi
My involvement with Tulsi Mehar Mahila Ashram and Mahaguthi began in 1984. As Gandhi is my hero, I assume it was a coincidence for me to work in an organization which is based on Gandhian principle and was established by a great veteran and follower of Mahatma Gandhi. After working for one and half decade a thought came in to my mind to put this matter about Tulsi Mehar Shrestha into website to be remained and educated about to next generation.
After I read the book of Mahatma Gandhi "All men are brothers" in Nepali versed I became fascinated with the ideology of Gandhi. Through then the name of Tulsi Mehar became familiar to me which is then associated with the Tulsi Mehar Mahila Ashram which is the only its type of institution in Nepal that follows the Gandhian principle which foundation was laid by Late Tulsi Mehar Shrestha.
Tulsi Mehar's name has been associated with the "Charkha" the spinning wheel through which Mahatma Gandhi fought against the British Colonial regime and conquered the independence.
I had only very vague memory when I often heard about the story of Mahatma Gandhi from my grandfather. He used to tell story to my childish mind how Gandhi conquered independence with his firm conviction and faith on the truth and non violence. Inspired by heroic action of Mahatma Gandhi, my childish mind grew with some preset feelings of helping the needy. Later on, this inspiration and thought grew as inheriting characteristic in me and I was attracted to the activities that is aimed to help people in need. I joined Mahaguthi Shop in 1984 as a assistant sales manager and accountant which is one of the income generating program of Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi that support Tulsi Mehar Mahila Ashram by providing financial contribution. I was not aware at that time how it functions and what was its objective. Soon, I learnt more about Tulsi Mehar Shrestha and the organization's mission and its importance of past activities. With the culmination of the team work and support of the voluntary executive board, the organization grew from tiny sizeable which has expanded network within a country supporting large numbers of women artisan and people. This development later led me to push my desire further day by day to work for the needy people of Nepal.
After working with Nepal Charkha Pracharak Gandhi Smarak Mahaguthi for about one and half decade mainly into women empowerment and micro enterprise development I have gained wider insight in women related issues and have contributed extensive time and effort in working for and with marginalized and disadvantaged people. Carrying Tusli Mehar's vision and mission and going into the path he has shown I am filled with the energy and self motivation and I would remain to carry further to fulfill the mission of the organization.
After serving for 16 years, I felt I should quite the organization to leave new generation to take over. I resigned from Mahaguthi, Craft with Conscience in 2002.
I moved to USA for few years and started working wih fair trade handicrafts producers around the world supporting them to do ecommerce. I joined PEOPlink/OpenEntry and started delivering training to entreprises to do e-business.
I am currently involved with Third World Craft Nepal , ( fair trade organization supporting artisans ) and had chaired the networking organization "Artisan Fair Trade Network Nepal . I am involved full time on Open
Entry ( at present)
Surendra Shahi
Development Director of Third World Craft Nepal
Chiarperson of Artisan Fair Trade Network Nepal
Email: thirdworldcraft@gmail.com
Buy nepalese handicrafts from Fair Trade Craft Store www.thirdworldcraft.com
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