Dear Mr.Otis,
Many thanks for bringing Gandhiji in the news again.
A coincidence that the current global crisis needs more of Gandhi than any other guru to reign in the greed and arrogance that the consumer culture has glorified.
As you have mentioned Gandhiji himself was against material possessions more than what is required. India must live with the spirit of Gandhiji's lessons rather than his memorabilia. Just like the remains of Buddha were distributed across the country and kept in Stupa, similarly Gandhiji's belonging should also be distributed across the world which is so consumed by violence and consumerism.Gandhiji, like Buddha belongs to the world and so do his memorabilia.
Gandhiji is correctly called the 'father of the Nation' and I am happy to tell you that there are many 'Sons and daughters of the Nation' in India. They are born across the length and breadth of this vast country and across the economic and social spectrum. Many wear a torn jeans and many barely have a roof on their head. The only proof of their existence is India. Thriving, inspite of all the odds, one inspite of all the diversity. Its peaceful reaction to violence and its acceptance of humanity. The victims of violence (riots or bombs) are not weak or coward, but believe that more violence is not a solution. It is to these people that the memorabilia of Gandhiji belongs. They will silently feel that something has been taken away from them. In the spirit of Gandhiji, they will not raise resources to buy them at 'market value', they will not resort to stealing.
I humbly request you to donate it to a museum in the most violence ridden place, Palestine (Gaza or west bank) to take the spirit of non-violence to the people who need it the most. Kindly also mention it as a gift from their brethren of all race and religion across the world. As Martin Luther King, Fr.Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela have demonstrated that non-violence is the only way to achieve equality, perhaps its time the Israelis and Palestinians give it a try.
Regards
Abhinav Bhatnagar
India
P.S:
I also share your concern for the poverty ridden slums in India. I have written in various aid forums, that as long as the corrupt leaders know they can safely stash their money in Swiss banks and Tax havens, there can be no progress on the ground. I also acknowledge the main reason for poverty is India's character of not being firm in implementing the law. This lack of firmness in implementing the rules was evident in Gandhiji also when he asked Netaji S.C.Bose to step down from the leadership of Congress and allow J.H.Nehru to lead the party.
Sons and daughters of this nation are working to rectify that and other remaining weakness in this country to create a better world. In Gandhiji's words, "who lives if India dies".
