248 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES
expression to your regard for him. You know that the best achievement of Mr. Gokhale according to him- self was the establishment of the Servants of India Society. This great institution he has left behind him ; and it lies with us to support it and comtinue its moble work. It would be best if we could join the Society^ But that will involve the question of our being fit for it. But if we are not in a position to join the Society, we can all do the next best thing viz. render pecuniary aid and swell the funds of the Society. A great deal of money has been collected in the Bombay Presidency to perpetuate the memory of Mr. Gokhale ; but so far nothing has been done in Karachi, Hyderabad and other parts of Sind. Hence to-day on this occasion you should all make up your minds to do something in this connec- tion. In Bombay, Rs. 30,000 have been collected for the erection of Mr. Gokhale's statue. Besides that, money has been collected for placing the Servants of India Society on a sound financial basis. For this purpose a lakh of rupees are required. That amount has not yet been collected. In fact, Rs. 75,000 has been collected and Rs. 25,000 still remains to be subscribed. Karachi and Hyderabad could easily do that and collect the balance. I do not mean to say that you should neces- sarily contribute that amount. You may do what your hearts move you to do ; what I say is that if your hearts are really moved, you may render monetary help to the Servants of India Society. That will be the true test of your regard for Mr. Gokhale and the best way of perpetuating the memory of the great man who lived and who died for the Motherland. (Loud applause).
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