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Jab we met Gandhi

Politicos to watchmen, who daily experience Gandhi in their lives, both literally and metaphorically, tell us their tales

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(Clockwise from top left) Ram V Sutar, TRK Somaiya, Sushma Gupta, Jignesh Mevani, Wendell Rodricks and Malkhan Singh
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TRK Somaiya, 80
left a plush job with L&T two decades ago to spread the Mahatma's values and now serves as a trustee of Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal Gandhi Book Centre in Mumbai on an honorary basis

Today, 8,000 – 10,000 people from 200 countries visit our website every day. This success, though, is not mine. Ishwar inspired me and the way has been shown by Gandhi, whom I was motivated by since age 10. Finally, 40 years ago, after saving up a bit, I found courage to start this seva. Gandhi always said, 'practice before you preach', but I haven't been able to follow his path fully (tears up). I am not that strong. Framed photographs of Gandhi that hang in the shop are all for sale, but as I don't worship him, I have none in my office or home. To me Gandhi only means moral values. I respect good thinking and ideas. I can't reconcile with some of his actions, but unlike many I don't judge him as he's not here to defend his position or explain his point of view.

Sushma Gupta, 54
has been incharge of the Khadi Store at Gandhi Smriti in Delhi for 12 years

Everyday, since I started taking care of the store, I reach at 10am and stay till 6pm. I can feel Gandhiji's presence here — the charkha (spinning wheel) and handloom in the store are a constant reminder of him and his ideologies. He is my inspiration, my guide. He taught us to move ahead in our lives without violence and work amicably and peacefully. I am very proud to be part of a place that enshrines his teachings.

Malkhan Singh, 71
has spent almost half his lifetime working as a guard at the Gandhi Smriti in Delhi

I have been here for 30 years, first as an employee and now on contract. I see my work as a service to the Father of The Nation. Yes, 30 years is a long time, but I am attached to this place and want to spend even the remaining part of my life here.

Gandhiji got us Independence and so I'm here in his service. I am proud of my association with Gandhi Smriti, where he took his final breath. A lot of people from across the world come here. It feels good to work here.

Ram V Sutar, 92
is a gold medallist from JJ School of Arts and a Padma Shri awardee known for his mastery in life-like statues. His sculptures of Gandhi have been installed in 250 countries

I have made around 350 statues over the past 70 years. These are scattered all over the world. Among them is a 40-foot statue in Patna. I was a boy of about seven when I saw Gandhiji. He had come to my village near Dhulia in Maharashtra during the swadeshi movement. People were burning everything foreign-made. There was no question of an interaction with the great man, but someone pointed to my velvet cap. I recall taking it off and throwing it in the bonfire. Gandhiji was a modern saint whose face carried an expression of great serenity. I've made statues of him in all kinds of poses – standing, sitting, thinking, meditating, etc. One of my first Gandhi statues, made out of cement, in 1948, was that of the Mahatma laughing. I donated it to my village school.

Wendell Rodricks, 57
is a Padma Shri awardee, fashion designer, writer and an environmental activist for Goa, known for his handspun khadi creations

For me, Gandhi means attaining an almost impossible goal under repression via non-violence. It also signifies a modern-day ascetic who gave up a lot for freedom and independence. Apart from khadi, Gandhi is an almost spiritual consciousness of what can be achieved for a nation through non-cooperation and cooperation, struggle yet victory, frugality and humility, abstinence of the physical, but indulgence in the mental philosophical. We don't realise as Indians, the impact he had on a collective world consciousness.

Darshan Kumar
looks after the 16-foot statue of a meditating Gandhi inside the parliament complex as part of his job at the Lok Sabha Secretariat's General Works Branch

On days the Parliament is in session or some dignitary is scheduled to visit, I have to work early, say from 7.30am. I have to to wipe the dust and bird poop, and polish the bronze to a sheen. This statue of Mahatma Gandhi is very special. As it faces the porch, anyone who goes in or comes out of parliament sees it. Dignitaries also stop to click a photograph with the statue. As such, it functions as the conscience keeper to our lawmakers and serves to remind them of the high ideals on which the nationalist struggle was based.

Jignesh Mevani, 36
is social activist who led a Dalit agitation last year

I have serious ideological problems with Gandhivaad, partly due to the fact that Gandhiji maintained that casteism should remain on Indian soil, and stuck to this stand for decades. I also don't agree with his philosophy of trusteeship and gram swaraj. Despite that, however, the most fascinating dimension of Gandhi was the incredible amount of inclusiveness he brought about. His political sharpness was successful in bringing together a huge number of people and ultimately he got us victory against the British Raj. As time passes, his ideas on the environment, decentralised economy, and simplicity have become more relevant.

Compiled by Gargi Gupta, Yogesh Pawar, Pooja Bhula & Heena Khandelwal

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