Bapu Kutir continues to inspire people

The Bapu Kutir at Sevagram still continues to inspire people from India and the world.

The Bapu Kutir - a small hut where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay in Sevagram in the Wardha district of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra - is the centre of attraction and is visited by students, educationists, researchers, tourists and Gandhians.

The Father of the Nation spent nearly 10 years in Sevagram which is spread over 400 acres. It is run by five institutions - Sevagram Ashram, Nai Talim Samiti, Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sangh Akhil Bharatiya Seva Sangh and Kasturba Health Society.

"The Sevagram itself is a source of inspiration," said Dr Sugan Baranth, the president of Nai Talim Samiti. "The Bapu Kutir and Sevagram have inspired generations and will continue to inspire people," said Jatin Desai, a veteran peace activist.

Nearly 100 to 400 people visit the centre, depending on the season.
The Bapu Kutir is a small hut in the main prayer ground and is made out of mud, bamboo and country tiles. Some of Gandhiji's personal belongings are also kept here.

"The hut shows the simplicity of the man," said Suchitra Sudhakar Zade, who is from Odisha but has settled in Sevagram.

"Bapu used to meet people and write while sitting on a mat," she said, adding that Gandhiji used nice stones as paperweights.
Amongst the most important items here are the small statue of three monkeys made of china clay - one covering eyes, one mouth and another the ears.

"Why is Sevagram important? There are two reasons...firstly, from a remote village in central India, Mahatma Gandhi carried out a moral political resistance...secondly, he also ensured that the social agenda also continued," said Shrikant Barhate, who hails from Vidarbha.