Bahrain Indians raising money to save Gandhi's possessions

An Indian welfare association is calling upon its compatriots in the Kingdom to donate generously to a fund to save the possession of Mahatma Gandhi which will be auctioned in the US this week.

The Co-ordination Committee of Indian Associations (CCIA) in Bahrain is urging all Indians in the country to stand together to support a fund set up by Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi to raise $300,000 for the foundation in Mumbai to purchase the items.

“Gandhi is the father of our nation. We urge all Indian businessmen in the Gulf to back this fund to save personal items of the leader,” a CCIA society member told Newstrack India.

Some of the items which will be auctioned include his pair of trademark eyeglasses, worn leather sandals, and pocket watch among other personal items of Gandhi. All these will go on sale this week by Antiquorum Auctioneers, in New York.

"Whatever can be done is being done to ensure that articles are not auctioned by involving all concerned stakeholders," Culture Minister Ambika Soni told the Press Trust of India news agency.

There are two options which the Indian government is working on – either the Indian government purchases the items or urges Indians settled in US or Asia to purchase the possessions and donate them to India. The estimated value of the items which will go under the hammer is between $20,000- $ 30,000.

Gandhi, born in 1869, led India’s independence movement against the British rule and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The leader was assassinated in Delhi by a Hindu fanatic.

The account for donations is under the name Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi Account Fund, 04200100021002, Bank of Baroda, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai.

Indians are the largest foreign population with close to 300,000 workers have 32 registered and 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs. Most of these associations have been brought under the umbrella of the CCIA with a view to centralising efforts on key occasions such as Independence Day or work together in times of crisis.

Contact the reporter of this story: Sandeep Singh Grewal in Bahrain at sandy.media@gmail.com