NGO seeks President's help to bring back Gandhi memorabilia

After writer Giriraj Kishore who wrote to the Prime Minister and the President to stop auction of Gandhiji's belongings in the UK, a local NGO has sought President Pratibha Patil's intervention in the issue.

President of NGO 'Manas Sangam', Badri Narayan Tiwari on Monday said he has written a letter to Patil requesting the Government of India to either stop the auction in London or buy the items stained with the Mahatma's blood.

He claimed that the NGO would raise the money required to buy back the items with the help of contributions from people.

Meanwhile, Kishore said that he had spoken to activist Anna Hazare over the phone and asked for the latter's support to stop the auction. Hazare expressed support for the cause and said he would work for it, the Padma Shri awardee said.

In his letter written earlier to President Pratibha Patil, Kishore had threatened to return his Padma Shri if steps were not initiated immediately to stop the auction.

The noted Hindi writer was awarded Padma Shri in 2007 for his notable work in the field of literature and education. He had chronicled Gandhiji's struggles in South Africa in his book Pahla Girmitiya (The First Indentured Labour).