# Why Gandhi Wore Half a Dhoti: A Story from Motihari

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2105890109526778164
- Source account: [@Politicx2029](https://x.com/Politicx2029)
- Source language: Hindi
- Target language: English
- Duration: 1:11
- Published: 2026-10-02
- Machine translated. Check the original before quoting.
- Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari
- Original-language version: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/hi/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE.md

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari) And if humanity is to become the greatest in the world, it must simply reach the depths of its heart.

[0:04](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=4) Gandhi went to Motihari for the first time.

[0:07](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=7) He was invited to a house for a meal. We have a tradition here, women serve the food. When Gandhi sat down to eat, a woman came and served him food. Gandhi began eating.

[0:21](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=21) Then Gandhi asked, “Are there no other women in your home?”

[0:25](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=25) The answer that woman gave, even today, moves me. When I think about it, when I read about it, when I speak of it. That woman said, “Gandhi, there are many women in my home, but there is only one sari. We wrap ourselves in towels, and if a male guest comes to the house,

[0:44](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=44) one woman wears that one sari and comes before him.”

[0:48](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=48) From Gandhi’s hand, the morsel fell into his plate. Gandhi wept, and Gandhi tore his dhoti in half that very day and said, “Until my daughters and daughters-in-law,” Mothers and sisters live in such a state that they have nothing to cover their bodies with, in India.

[1:04](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=64) If women live half-naked, Gandhi, too, has the right to wear a full dhoti.

[1:08](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/0YAgh56A7Teg/en/why-gandhi-wore-half-a-dhoti-a-story-from-motihari?t=68) No. That is Gandhi.