Well Done Mr Mallaya!!! Bringing Gandhiji’s memorabilia back to India, is the best ever gesture a citizen could ever bestow upon his country. You have retained the ownership of the Father of our nation’s personal articles. These articles are a legacy and inheritance of our nation, a matter of pride and glory of our country, and saved Mahatma’s legacy. It is a great relief that Mahatama Gandhi’s iconic items; his wire-rimmed spectacles, a pair of sandals, a Zenith pocket watch, plate and a bowl, are now on their way back to India, thanks to you. You have reminded us of Gandhiji’s contribution to India’s Freedom Struggle, and his lessons of peace and communal harmony.
As a matter of fact, Mahatma Gandhi had gifted his personal items to a Los Angeles based peace activist and filmmaker James Otis during his lifetime. Moments before the auction, Otis changed his mind and wanted to abort the auction. However it was too late by then and the Auctioneers could be of no help. Now, Mr Mallaya wants to gift these items, termed as “national treasures”, to the Government of India. Right now, it is not clear whether the government would hand these over to Navjeevan Trust – the sole heir of Mahatma’s personal belongings appointed through a will registered in 1929 or has any other plans. We, the people of India, are elated that Mahatma Gandhi’s heritage is with the rightful heirs, in India, with the Indians...
