The sketches of some of Gandhiji s close associates given in this book show how he brought out the best in all those who came to him and worked with him in the service of humanity. He considered his associates to be instruments sent by god. He helped them develop their God-given abilities. His wide sympathies, unbounded love and deep insight into human nature enabled him to establish rapport with most diverse personalities. He inspired ordinary men and women to rise to great heights and make sacrifices for the service of the country and the uplift of the poorest, the lowliest and the lost. These sketches also reveal Gandhiji s tolerance and ability to carry with him people with different attitudes, ignoring points of disagreement and emphasizing areas of agreement. This won him many friends and co-workers. Many of the sketches included in the volume were written in Gandhiji s lifetime and were scrutinized by him. Others were written at different times after his death. All of them have been revised and updated. Some are being published for the first time.