Visiting the Mahatma

Iranian journalist Nahid Siamdoust tours Mani Bhavan, forms her own impressions

Why I'm here

When you think India, you think Mahatma Gandhi. His social and political message is widespread and relevant everywhere. More so in 2006, when our lives are shadowed by fast-growing terrorism. After 9\11, we live in a world of conflict. America was attacked and in retaliation they invaded Afghanistan. In the end, America is feeding conflict in a futile attempt to kill it. Here is where Gandhian principles should be used. Instead of mindlessly retaliating, the cause should have been found and dealt with on a more rational level. Today is when his message is most relevant.

In 1979 there was a revolution in Iran and many died. We did not have a Mahatma at that time. Today, most Iranians have come to the conclusion that for any sort of peace there has to be a democracy from within and a revolution is not a long-lasting solution. 

Seeing our present, I think it is important that we pay our respects to a man so powerful and yet humble.

As I enter...

The moment you enter, you are greeted by this humble man wearing just a piece of cloth made by him. In a flash, you think of globalisation and the importance of the survival of cottage and small scale industries. You stand here and realise that here is where several decisions, which shaped the today of India, took place. 

In his library

Wow, one man so well read. Looking through his books, I now understand why was he so deep and unbiased. He has read everything from Marx to Mahabharata. He studied world religions and literature. I guess you need to well-versed to have the capacity to appeal to the reasoning of so many. For me, it is very interesting to see that Gandhi actually read Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw. A man so shrouded by politics actually finds time to pick up something like As You Like It. It's impressive that a statesman reads drama.

A picture of his youth

The picture surprises you a bit. You see a different side of Gandhi. The one you have read about is calm and humble. Here you see a young and arrogant Gandhi.
If I hadn't seen the picture here, I wouldn't have thought that this was Gandhi.

The blemish

It is his time in South Africa that made him realise the problems of white supremacy. It's interesting to see him there. Pictures of his wife and him remind me that he wasn't the best family man. I guess when you are Father of the Nation it gets tough to be a good father. Still, that is not an excuse. It is the only negative point that strikes me and is nothing in comparison to what he has done not only for the nation, but also for the world. It is surprising that a man as great by him was actually shot; goes to show that everybody has enemies. The fact that he rode a cycle and was self sufficient shows that he lived like the people he preached to.

His room

His simple life is highlighted. His prayer beads show that he is a man of faith which is a rare thing in today's world. The youth seem to have lost faith. A man who represented the nation still wore the same attire to every foreign delegation. Today, India is proud of its tradition because to some extent it was Gandhi who upheld this tradition.

A life in miniature

This is a very interesting way to depict his struggle for freedom. When you see him heading a march, you realise that he is not a passive person. He too believes in action, but only without arms. He has struggled. He has gone to jail and fasted for the country. The most impressive is the Swadeshi movement. By burning foreign cloth, he showed economic independence. This allowed everyone to get involved and feel they have done their bit.

By the end...

I really like the place and when I go back I will tell everyone about it and even recommend it. Mani Bhavan has given me greater detail and perspective to Gandhi's life. It's really an honour to be standing where once someone as great as Mahatma Gandhi stood.

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