At times when there is growing buzz about how Mahatma Gandhi’s image on Indian currency could be a thing of the past, one man Ratan Lal Chauhan is considered the biggest fan of Mahatma Gandhi in India.He proves that for India Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was, is and will remain the father figure who fought for India to have her tryst with destiny.
If Gandhi is a man who is respected by many in the country and is one face which is on the currency of India, he is also one who is a part of a classic collection of vintage photographs that is present in Nahan, situated in Himachal Pradesh.
A special museum curated by septuagenarian Ratan Lal Chauhan houses a diverse range of Gandhi memorabilia. Chauhan happens to be an avid follower of the Gandhian philosophy.
Chauhan spent lakhs of rupees to collect what he calls a rare collection of some of the moods, portraits, moments and times of the Mahatma, he has also gone across the length and breadth of the country to make sure he picks the best from across the country.
Chauhan had the hobby of collecting Gandhi’s photographs since long. From wherever he came to know about Gandhi’s photo, he would bring them home. The Chauhan’s as a family are committed to carry forward this unique legacy of Ratan Lal Chauhan. Each year they celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.
The day generally is celebrated with distributing sweets to children and having some small programmes to commemorate Gandhi and his contribution in India gaining Independence.
Chauhan is a retired policeman who has collected photos from the childhood days of the Mahatma to the time of the Satyagraha. He boasts of having some very rare pictures which showcase some very important episodes in Gandhi’s life.
Many may not have seen Gandhi’s pictures taken during his stint as a lawyer in South Africa, but Chauhan is happy when he says he has those pictures.The shine and love in Chauhan’s eyes for those who fought for India’s freedom is very much visible.
Chauhan regrets not meeting Gandhi in person. At times when lawlessness has taken over Gandhigiri, men like Ratan lal Chauahan do reaffirm that some dead men do tell tales. And for this the photo collection of Ratan Lal Chauhan is a glaring example.
However the idea at this point is if Ratan lal chauhan can keep that Gandhian flame burning within and he can do his bit to remind the country that there were men like Bapu who toiled night and day, for our bright future, why are we hesitant to safeguard the glory of Gandhi.
Ratan lal Chauhan is not only worth speaking about, because of his passion to collect pictures of Gandhi. He is also one to be looked upto because he is one of those in the 21st century who cares to keep the struggle and the pain felt by freedom fighters and leaders then alive.
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