370 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES
acquire wealth even as illiterate men do by their clever- ness. If the educated class became free from the paralys- ing fear of their unfitness for business, they should surely have as much capacity as the illiterate class. If, there- fore, we become free from the bondage of 'degrees,' many private institutions could be carried on. No Goverment -can possibly take charge of the whole of a nation s edu- cation. In America private enterprise is the predomi- nant factor in education. In England numerous schools and colleges are conducted by private enterprise. They issue their own certificates. Herculean efforts must be made in order to put national education on a firm found- ation. Money, mind, body and soul must be dedicated to it. We have not much to learn from America. But there is certainly one thing which we can copy from that country. Great educational schemes are propound- ed and managed by gigantic trusts. Millionaires have given off their millions to them. They support many a private school. T.hese trusts have not only untold wealth at their disposal, but command also the services of able-bodied, patriotic and learned men, who inspect and protect national institutions and give financial assist- ance, where necessary. Any institution conforming to the conditions of these trusts is entitled to financial help. Through these trusts even the elderly peasant of America has brought to his door the results of the latest experiments in agriculture Gujarat is capable of sup- porting some such scheme. It has wealth, i^ has learn- ing, and the religious instinct has not yet died out. Children are thirsting for education. If we can but initiate the desired reform, we could, by our success, com- mand Government action. One act actually accomplish- ed will be far more forcible than thousands of petitions.
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