Hundred years ago when M.K. Gandhi set up Navajivan Trust, the idea was to let the people know about the freedom struggle and help more people to join the movement against the British Empire. 'Young India' and 'Navajivan' became instrumental in disseminating views.
Called 'Navajivan Mudranalaya' when founded, Gandhi in 1929, converted the private owned institution into a public charitable trust.
Located near the Gujarat Vidyapith, also founded by Gandhi, in Ahmedabad, the Navajivan Trust as a publishing house has to its credit over 800 titles in English, Hindi, Gujarati and other languages.
Before Independence, the focus remained on the freedom struggle and related issues. Later, the focus was on social issues, including communal harmony and economy. The titles the trust has come out with cover all sections of the society, including children.
A major change in Navajivan Trust happened in 2011 when Vivek Desai, a Gandhian and photographer, took over the reins as the managing trustee. Desai was fresh with ideas and did not want Gandhi to become boring. He wanted more and more people to relate to Gandhi and his philosophy.
He knew that it would not be possible by only bringing out publications. The Navajivan Trust had space. He came up with an idea of Karma Cafe – a food joint where people can have traditional food, mostly organic, and flip through books on and by Gandhi.
The initiative raised many eyebrows, including those of Gandhians. “Probably, initially they were not receptive to the change,” Desai told THE WEEK. “Now the scene is such that Gandhians from different parts of India come to see how Karma Cafe is operated,” he said.
Initially, Karma Cafe, that came up in 2014, did not charge a single rupee for the meals and snacks. It was left to people to deposit whatever they felt like at a box kept at the counter. The initiative received a mixed response.
They then decided to fix the thali, available in the evenings, at Rs 150.
Next to Karma Cafe is 'Savtva', a store selling ready-made khadi garments and accessories. The khadi garments here are unlike those sold in khadi gramudyog store.
The ready-made garments for men and women are well-stitched, modern in fashion and have nice designs. There are souvenirs too. They, however, do not come with any sort of discounts.
As part of the 150th birth year of Gandhi, Desai has got 14 sketches made by artist Mahendra Mistry. Among the sketches are slippers of Gandhi, his stick, charkha, three monkeys and Gandhi going on a bicycle. The designs have been registered and soon they will be printed on clothes.
Getting back to print the books and booklets that have been out of print and expediting the work of digitising 100 collected works of M.K. Gandhi are also on the agenda. According to Desai, about 90 collected works have been digitised and plans are to finish the remaining by 2020.
According to Desai, the whole idea is to attract the youth towards Gandhi philosophy. As part of the efforts, the Navajivan Trust has also been organising Gandhi examinations in schools and even in jails.