Email
Print
ShareAhmedabad, Ahmedabad: James Otis, the man who had sold Gandhi memorabilia, had acquired them from a German called Peter Ruhe, a self-proclaimed Gandhian. Ruhe is back again in the city to
procure the Mahatma's belongings. Ironically, he is now demanding royalty for use of photographs of Gandhi. Are we insensitive towards preserving our national culture and heritage. Speak Up seeks Amdavadis' opinion on the issue.
Why has the issue cropped up now?
Ruhe has been collecting all these items for the last 20 years or so. Then how come it has come to public notice now? I think it is our duty to ensure that things of national interest should be given foremost importance and protection. We must develop a mechanism to ensure that particles of nation interest are preserved to teach our children.
-- Mayur Patel
Bring back Mahatma's belongings
We are making a hue and cry about this incident now. What were we doing so far? This is not the first time something like this has happened. It has happened in past and will happen in future if we do not do something about it. The photographs and the belongings should be brought back at any cost. Govt has been lethargic in its response.
-- Dhrumil Acharya
Why should we pay for our own?
Mahatma Gandhi is our own. However, questions need to be asked as to how Gandhi's belongings reach to Ruhe at first place? Even if they have, why should we pay for those photographs, which belong to India? Under no circumstance, this shall be tolerated. Our country should unite to get these photographs back.
-- Jalay Joshi
Govt should take corrective steps
I think government should intervene and immediately take corrective measures. It is the moral responsibility of every Indian citizen to safeguard national heritage like these and they should be sold like vegetables in an open market. It is the imperative of the youth of today to raise a voice against such a move
-- Rakshit Thumar
Commercial use is condemnable
Gandhiji's aura is not limited to India only, he was truly an international leader. So, it is quite reasonable for people apart from India to possess his belongings. But this is justified only till it is part of a personal collection and not a commercial one. Thus, if someone is looking to make money then it is highly condemnable.
-- RS Renjith
Preserve our national heritage
This is a matter of national interest and prestige. Such precious heritage should be preserved at any cost. As far as I understand, most of the photographs with Ruhe are already available in our national archives. Henceforth, more discretionary approach towards safeguarding our heritage should be taken. We should work to preserve our heritage.
-- Sagar Patel
