Relative upset over auction of Gandhi's items (Update)

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — The great-grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi said Monday that he has launched a fundraising campaign to buy a rare collection of the Indian independence leader's personal items that are up for auction and bring them back to India.

The collection, including Gandhi's distinctive round wire-rim eyeglasses, is being auctioned next month in New York.

Tushar Gandhi said selling the belongings of his great-grandfather — who espoused a life of poverty and had very few possessions — was "immoral" because "they belong to India and the people of India."

He said he was trying to raise at least $300,000 to be able to have a serious chance of buying the items. Tushar Gandhi said he could have requested help from the Indian government but instead wanted to create a "people's initiative" to bring the collection back to India.



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