Otis ready to donate Gandhi items to India

But for that to happen, the government must promote non-violence, and increase spending on the poor, the American collector and peace activist tells MiD DAY

Otis ready to donate Gandhi items to India

But for that to happen, the government must promote non-violence, and increase spending on the poor, the American collector and peace activist tells MiD DAY

James Otis (45), who owned the Gandhi memorabilia that sold for $1.8 million (about Rs 9.25 crore) at a controversial auction on March 5, now wants the items back.

He says he will donate the items to India if the government agrees to sharply increase spending on the poor and create an international travelling exhibition about Gandhi that would include the Mahatma's trademark steel-rimmed spectacles, a Zenith pocket watch, a pair of sandals and an eating bowl and plate.

For Otis, the sale was to be a means to promote Gandhi's causes, but the uproar it caused, he admits, has proved to be "upsetting and disturbing".

Deeply saddened that he has "hurt so many people in India who love Gandhi by his decision to put the items up for auction", he is on a 23-day fast in Upstate New York. He began his fast on the day of the auction on March 5.

Excerpts from a phone conversation:

MiD DAY:u00a0 Are you upset that Vijay Mallya, who made his money in beer, bought the personal effects of Gandhi, who was known for his ascetic lifestyle?
James Otis: That's none of my business. I have not had the honour of meeting the man and I won't pass judgment. I would like to meet him to know him. My former lawyer was to set up a meeting but that didn't happen. Nor have there been any moves from Mallya or his representatives to meet me.

Then why the volte face? Are you expecting more money?
Money was never the issue never was and never will be. The sale proceeds were meant for pacifist causes. But I am extremely pained by the division it has created in Gandhi's country. Two parties are fighting over his possessions and there are many untruths that I simply can't digest. The Indian government says they were in touch with the bidder but the bidder denies this. Obviously, one of them is not sharing the whole truth. It's not my business to find out (the truth) but I am very clear that I refuse to allow anyone to use Gandhi's personal effects either to win an election or to further their own individual cause.

What exactly are your demands?
Please don't use the word 'demands'. These are my ideas. Gandhi's memorabilia should further the causes he believed in the welfare of the poor and the spread of non-violence.

The Indian government should increase spending on the poor by 5 per cent of the GDP, especially in health care. The world's political leaders claim to love Gandhi but they don't do what he says, including the Indian government. They have a nuclear program. They allot millions of dollars to their military budget. After the Mumbai terror attacks, the spending, I understand, went up 24 per cent of the GDP but the spending on the poor hasn't increased. Why not cut the military budgets of the world by half to tide over the depression? In the US, we've all lost half our savings because of military spending.

Do you follow politics in India?
No, I am a close follower of Gandhi and the spiritual movement in India. I do not follow the politics. I did not understand what Gandhi meant by 'simple' and 'austere' until I visited the Arunachala Ashram in Tiruvannamalai (in Tamil Nadu). My friend, an American called Mike, is a monk and a librarian at this ashram. He invited me over and what I saw there will stay etched in memory forever. There's a system where you can feed the poor by donating money, and for 30 dollars I was thrilled to see 900 people get a full meal. Nothing of this sort ever happens in America. We are a nation obsessed with fast food, fast cars and sexy women.

Did you visit Sabarmati ashram?
No, I never had the opportunity to go there. But I must say I felt the love of God in your country. I love your country, I love your people and that's why I am so sad that I caused a rift in your country. I have applied for my visa to India on Friday and I should get it in a day or two.

You're into the 12th day of your fast. What is the purpose of this fast?
People in Los Angeles and in America know me as a man who is a peace activist. I have been arrested over two dozen times for my civil disobedience. I celebrate Gandhi's life every day in thought, word and deed. I've always wanted to fast for 23 days like Gandhi did but I couldn't go beyond 15 days in my three earlier attempts. This time, I hope to achieve my dream.

I pray, I meditate and I let the moment lead me. This time, I am considering my actions before, during and after the auction. I think about what went right and what went wrong. I made good and bad decisions. I'm human after all. I want to put it on record that I tried very hard to stop the auction.

Any other practices of self-abnegation?
For nine years I would not speak on Sundays a practice that frustrated my wife, but she eventually got used to it.

Did you try to halt the auction at the last minute after politicians and the media in India raised an outcry over the sale of simple items that once belonged to the man revered as India's political and spiritual founder?
I tried very hard to stop the auction when I realised what a furore it was creating, but the auction house told me I was bound by a contract.

Are you considering legal action now?
My claim and the Indian government's claim that the auction was illegal were the same, but were made for different reasons. I want both sides to be happy. My reasons (for the sale) are to help the Indian people, especially the poor, and to promote peace and non-violence, and hopefully the articles will be back in India. My peace collection must travel to countries torn by strife. I am in talks with the Department of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to know the US Government's position on the Indian government's claim that the auction is illegal.

Your peace collection includes much more then?
I have items belonging to other historical figures like the Rev Martin Luther King Jr and the Dalai Lama. And as I speak with you now, I am looking at Gandhi's blood that spilled at the assassination site. I see the blood mixed with ashes. I am photographing them right now and I will sending them out to Associated Press later this morning. These are all very spiritual and sacred things to me. I also have a rare photograph of Gandhi with President Hoover. The photograph has been signed twice by Gandhi, once in Gujarati and once in English. I want this photograph to be displayed at the White House. I will gift it to President Obama.

Why did you put the Gandhi items up for auction now, not earlier?
Obama was the reason. I believe that President Obama heralds new hope and new change, and Gandhi is more relevant now than ever. George Bush was a dreadful, misguided soul. I hope Obama will consider Gandhi and read him as much as he reads Lincoln.

Some documentaries made by Otis
>>Secrets of the CIA: Made for Turner Broadcasting and screened in 60 countries
>>The Power of Peace:u00a0Hosted by Uma Thurman
>>Peaceful Warriors: A History of Non-Violence: A four-hour TV documentary on 32 non-violent heroes

Watch out for Gandhi's blood now!
>>"As I speak with you," James Otis tells this reporter over phone from Upstate New York, "I am looking at Gandhi's blood that spilled at the assassination site and his ashes from the cremation. I am photographing them right now and I will be sending the photographs to the Associated Press in New York later today. These are all very spiritual and sacred things to me."
>>"My friend, Lester Kurtz, a professor at George Mason University, owns the blood and the ashes. Gandhi's blood from the assassination and ashes from the cremation were given to him by a scholar called Jayapragasam many years ago," he adds.
>>Will this mixture of blood and ashes be auctioned as well? "Never, never, never. We (Lester & I) only want to show the world the beautiful spirit of Mahatma Gandhi through his ashes and his blood," says Otis.