Ayyankali & Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi, who was fighting against the foreigners who were milking the country of its resources and struggling to liberate India from the shackles of British overlordship. He had traveled all around the country praising the Temple Entry Proclamation of Sree Chitra Thirunaal Maharaja of Kerala. The unobtrusive way in which the Maharaja's proclamation was made was a bolt from the blue for Gandhi. Gandhi had a competitor in the 'Ruler-Reformer' Maharaja.
Gandhi had heard of the illiterate and untouchable genius Ayyankali. He was well informed of all that Ayyankali had done not only for untouchables but also for the people of Kerala. Gandhi came to Venganoor located in a corner of tiny Kerala in 1937 to meet Ayyankali.
Gandhi embraced Ayyankali the moment they met.* He made Ayyankali to sit close to him. An 'avatara-purushan' of Bharat embracing and being made to sit next to him stunned the savarnas gathered there.
"I know about all the work you have been doing. Good. I am also of your age. We both are fighting for freedom. Continue your work." Gandhi told him.
Ayyankali was thrilled to hear Gandhi's compliment. "How are things here?" he asked further.
"Mahatmaji. I will not forget your kindness. We have won the freedom to study in schools. Now we have gained the right to enter temples for puja and prayers..."
Gandhi was impressed by the precision with which Ayyankali put forward his points.
"What else does your people want?" Gandhi asked.
"I want to see atleast ten B.A. graduates before I die." Ayyankali pleaded.
"Your desire will be fulfilled very soon. Continue with your work fearlessly." Gandhi exhorted.
Soon, harijan hostels were established at centres of education in Travancore. The warden of the hostel in Thiru-vanantha-puram was one MN Govindan Nair who was to become the Chief Minister of Kerala.

(*)

[At that moment Gandhi's thoughts may have gone back to the days he spent in Yerwada Jail, specially the events under the mango tree in the courtyard. There, the uncrowned king of India's depressed classes, one who endlessly led the struggle for their betterment, Dr. Ambedkar, had saved the life of Gandhi by signing the historic Poona Pact in 1932. The communal award given by the British had the potential to make untouchables a separate community outside Hinduism. So Gandhiji had had gone on a 'fast unto death' against the Award in Aga Khan Palace- against Dr. Ambedkar.
"It was only after this clash with Ambedkar that Gandhiji took to activities concerned with the uplift of untouchables," said Gandhi disciple and ex-congress MP C Narayana Pillai about Gandhi's sudden interest in untouchables. How far his stays with the untouchables in 'harijan basti' helped persuade the upper castes to soften their prejudices? Very little.]