Experiments with Gandhi’s truth now available for Rs 1,000: Kochrab Ashram to open for homestay

According to the programme,tourists will be facilitated to stay at Kochrab Ashram and follow the 11 vows of Gandhi,including Satya (truth),Bramhacharya (chastity),Ahimsa (non-violence),Shram (physical labour),among others,and can also try their hands at the spinning wheel, community visits and cooking. Those opting for the tour will have to wear Khadi throughout the programme.

The Vidyapith has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maroon Migrates,a tourism firm run by Narmada district-based Nischalavalamb Barot,who claims a background in eco-tourism.

Vidyapith’s registrar Rajendra Khimani told The Indian Express,“There are a lot of issues which we are yet to decide,but we have opened the ashram for tourists,who will have to book for at least five days to a maximum of 11 days,so that he or she can experience an ashramite’s life. We will charge a standard rate of Rs 1,000 per day per head. However,nothing is final and we are considering to give concessions to individuals depending upon their interest.”

Gandhi set up Kochrab Ashram near Paldi soon after he returned from South Africa in 1915. It was here that Gandhi admitted Dudabhai,an untouchable,amid protests from neighbouring villagers. After this incident,local businessmen stopped funding the ashram. It was then that textile tycoon Ambalal Sarabhai supported the ashram. The ashram moved to the bank of Sabarmati in 1917 to aid Gandhi’s experiments in farming,cattle breeding etc.

Barot quoted Vidyapith’s vice-chancellor Sudarshan Iyengar in a release as saying: “This is a unique programme which will bring change in the society gradually at an individual level and hopefully we will witness a sustainable future.”