Swadeshi in Calcutta *

                        A  SWADESHI meeting was held on Wednesday evening at which Mr. Aurobindo Ghose delivered a lengthy speech, in the course of which he said:- The 16th of October has become the chief landmark of the year, not only the chief landmark of the year, but the landmark of the progress of our movement, the movement of Swadeshi and boycott, which we undertook in the year when the Partition was effected. We see on that day how far it has progressed; or if it has receded, how far it has receded. Every kind of obstruction is being thrown in our way. You know efforts have been made to mar the attendance at meetings. It is supposed that the meetings are mainly composed of students. It is a delusion which the authorities cannot get rid of. Our associations have been suppressed. We are carrying on this Swadeshi movement without organisation, without proper instruments and without proper equipment. We have to face any number of temptations and obstacles and also intimidation. In spite of all that we cling to the movement, and we go on with it. One message we can give you under such circumstances. It is to hold firm. Remember this, that whether we look to our own efforts to raise the nation or whether we look to our rulers nothing can be done by the weak and nothing is given to the weak. Remember that the people of England do not understand weakness. They only understand strength. Remember this, they do not understand those who aspire to height and yet flinch. They only understand resolution, stead- fastness and determination. If we are defeated" it is in order to learn how to conquer. If we are suppressed, it is in order to learn how to rise irresistibly, and if we for a moment recoil, it is that we may leap forward more swiftly further on.

October 13, 1909

Report of a Speech delivered on October 13, 1909 in Calcutta as reported in the Times of India of October 15.

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