Oral history transcript 66

Sharma :  What did you discuss with him?

Chavan : I told him about the activities in the districts, which he encouraged.

Sharma : Your first impression of him was rather favourable?

Chavan :  Very favourable because meeting a man of his stature in those difficult days was rather impressive. He was the only national leader, I had contacts in Bombay.

Sharma : I remember your last tribute to him at the electric crematorium. I was one of thouse who listened to you there.

Chavan :  I was impressed by the man's sympathy, friendship, comradeship and simplicity-not that sort of air of being an underground leader.

Sharma : How did you manage your finances?

Chavan :  Well, people gave money. We did not need much finances, as a matter of fact.We were fed by the people. They gave us transport also whenever we wanted Sometimes we went by a bullock-cart or a motor-cycle.
Mostly we travelled on foot. The question of finances came when bulletins were to be published or some families were to be looked after. In same families earning members had been arrested. So we had to spend from twenty-five to forty rupees and that we used to collect from the people.

Sharma : But you were not getting any help from the Central Directorate?

Chavan : No, at least I did not get.