Had the youth followed Gandhian principles, heinous crimes like the Delhi gang rape would not have happened, social activist Anna Hazare said on Tuesday, underscoring the need to revisit the values.
He was talking to journalists at a programme organised at the Sahar international airport here to mark the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi’s memorabilia, which were received by the former Army Chief, General V.K. Singh, and industrialist Kamal Morarka, besides Mr. Hazare.
“We are going to launch a movement called ‘Pranaam Bapu,’ in which the memorabilia will be taken across the country by Anna Hazare to inspire the youth,” said Fauzia Arshi, one of the organisers of the event.
The 29 items include his spectacles, spectacle-case, prayer book, charkha, letters and documents, Columbia Disk, Gora Letter and Pamphlet, a letter autographed by Gandhiji, another typed by him, seven newspapers which he used to read, a letter he wrote to his native place in Gujarat, wooden casket, book and postcard.
Ms. Arshi said Bapu’s belongings were stolen from the country more than 60 years ago. They were auctioned in London last year.
Mr. Hazare is reported to have said at the function that it was the responsibility of politicians to get these precious articles back home, but they failed to do so.
“Our political leaders and government slumbered over the matter and did not even try to buy [them] or stop the auction held in London. It was the government’s responsibility to buy the memorabilia… And interestingly, our High Commissioner didn’t even take the effort to go to the auction house the day they were auctioned. But Kamal Morarka, a successful industrialist, showed the gesture of love and bought the memorabilia with his personal money,” the organisers said in a press note.
The event was organised by the Chauthi Duniya publication, owned by Mr. Morarka.
