Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday!

 There was a time when 'Gandhi' meant the Mahatma, the father of the nation! Today, the 2nd October, is his Birthday, and also of our late Prime Minister Lal Bahudur Shastri. 

On an impulse I walked across to Gandhi Bhavan, situated in Kumara Park East, just across the railway line. When compared to K P West it is a bit more highbrow location!

 I had never been inside the Bhavan even-though I had walked past it.  The Bhavan is pretty impressive, which is a surprise. Gandhi was known for his simple life. He wore a loin cloth and preferred living in a hut! However, we do like to show respect through ostentation. The Bhavan is huge. Here are a few pictures of my visit. There was a function on the first floor which I missed!

Installed in the garden in front.
v
Love this reminder for us to walk! 
Not easy to walk in this lovely city

A formal statue, simply adorned!

Very well known advice.
I try hard to keep my mouth shut!

It has a beautiful facade.

Some will notice an irony here. 
 India has come a long way!
It was a pleasant surprise to meet our relative Sridevi 
an avid stamp collector who has displayed her collection of
M G stamps!

Ethnic Karnataka culture in display

A few shops from other districts

Free consultation was offered.
 Didn't try.

Perhaps would have watched the movie. 
But no chairs!

History through pictures. Books were on sale

Not a political comment.
 Gandhi topi is no more that visible



The CM had graced the Emporium with a visit as per the poster.


No idea if there are Khadi T-shirts with collar!
Would be interesting to learn how Khadi is doing? 
!



Comments

Chandramouli. said…
Thanks for sharing!
The Eight Volumes of the book “ The Mahatma “ by Tendulkar published
In the Sixties is still the best & worth reading say for an hour a day for a year- There are other one volume ones like Louis Fischer’s. Good. And Guha’s two volume tome. Tiresome.
Spoke in Kannada at the GBhavan 15 years ago. Hosted by Gandhi Sahitya
Sangha, Malleshwaram.Small audience. A few ageing “ Freedom Fighters” mostly from Quit India period. Lots of Gandhi caps. Topic “ Relevance of Satyagraha “ in the West post Gandhi.
Kadale Puri and Neerumajjige after my “ dialog “. was given a Gandhi topi.
That’s about it.
Mouli
Hari Gopalan. said…
Hi Nidhi: Hope all is well at your end. Interestingly yesterday I was talking to Malthi and asked her if there was any special event for Gandhi’s Birthday the response was a somber no. I felt pretty saddened by it that in 74 years he has been forgotten and erased from history and not certain if the current generation and the future ones to come will ever know of him. Anyway your email in this regard gave me a sense of consolation - Thank You

Regards

Hari Gopalan
N L Sriram said…
The phrase "Gandhi avanu!" when referring to someone meant something somewhat derogatory in our college days, wonder whether that is still in vogue or has changed!
Saroj Kalmadi said…
Very nice🙏🙏
Malthi Venkatesh said…
Nice. Must visit the one day.
Ramamani Nagaraj said…
Very nice pictures and good article. I visited this Gandhi bhavan when I was working inthe college attended a few seminars. It is very nice inside. I also liked it
Ahalya said…
Nice. H K Woodlands hotel had arranged a buffet free to celebrate Gandhi Jayanthi. Srikanth, Madhavi and friends enjoyed eating there.
Lakshmi Sitaram said…
With all these, it is Sitaram's birthday today.
Alka Mathur said…
Great pictures, interesting captions and a reminder about Gandhiji who is now just used by various political parties for their benefit
Vidya Srihari said…
Very interesting! Thanks for the tour of the building showcasing a lot of memorable pictures from Gandhiji's life.
N K Ramdas said…
Nice pics with captions of Gandhi Bhavan.
You mentioned that Gandhi preferred living in huts.Did he ?🤔
Mohan Nagamangala said…
Talking about ostentation of Gandhi Bhavan, I remember someone (I think Rajaji) telling “It costs a lot to keep Gandhiji poor”.
Nandini Shrinidhi said…
Very nice blog
Sapna Balaji said…
Lovely pictures and some good info.
Yes, agree that Gandhi bhavan should've been true to his life rather than just a show that he is remembered and idolised.
As someone has rightly commented, wonder if the next generations to come will associate and respect the mahatma and his principles
Rama Gopinath said…
Thanks for sharing. Have the millennials forgotten about Mahatma?

R
Mayura Prahlad said…
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have been there some years ago. Your pictures show an aesthetically done revamp. Maybe I will visit the place sometime.
Mayura.
Jayanthi Shankar said…
Very nice. Got to see the place in detail through you and still maintained well.
Prasan Kumar said…
Nice blog. An awakening. Must visit Gandhi Bhavan next time.
Bhuvana said…
The fact that you remembered it was Oct 2nd and that it was Gandhi's birthday and that you went to The exhibition, itself is very appreciable. Hats off to you, Mr. Nidhi. Nice pics

Seriously, when Gandhi is almost becoming history and irrelevant except sometime symbolically referred to, it's nice that someone I know gave so much importance. I am in awe of him. I read his experiments with truth and his biography by raj Mohan Gandhi.

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