An ambitious project to globalise the man who led India to freedom is quietly taking shape as the country celebrates 50 years of independence from British rule.
The National Gandhi Museum and Library plans to put the works and pictures of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, "Mahatma" or great soul to hundreds of millions of Indians, on the Internet.
"We want to go on the Internet before the end of this year," the institution's director, Mr Y.P. Anand, said yesterday. "We are computerising most of the library work. We have more than 10,000 photographs to offer."
Set up soon after Gandhi's murder at the hands of a Hindu fanatic, the museum houses a vast collection of books, mementos, personal effects and photographs. Clothes Gandhi wore when Nathuram Godse shot him dead five months after India became free are kept as they are. The bloodstains on them have faded into dark patches over time.
. Hundreds of British Sikhs congregated in front of the Indian High Commission in central London yesterday to claim their own independent state of Kalistan in northern India. Women and children joined in the peaceful protest.
"The council is calling for all Punjabi people in Britain to protest this weekend against the Indian Sahibs," said Mr Amrik Singh Sahota, spokesman for the Council for Kalistan, which campaigns for Punjabi independence.
He added: "India is celebrating its independence day, but India is not one nation, it is made up of different people - we too want our independence, we want to live with peace and dignity not under a dictatorship."
Sikh separatists have called for a boycott of a multi-religious rally to celebrate the passing of colonial rule due to be held tomorrow in the west London suburb of Southall, home to the biggest Sikh community outside India.