Did you know Gandhi studied in a govt school?

CHENNAI: Did you know that unlike some of his contemporaries who went to convents right from the start, Mahatma Gandhi started his schooling at a government primary school in Rajkot? Or the fact that even while deciding to go ahead with the Non-cooperation movement, Gandhi took the pains to explain to the rulers in a letter that he was only against the British rule in India and not individual Britishers?The photo exhibition inaugurated at the Gandhi Mandapam to mark the Mahatma's birth anniversary on Sunday provides such fascinating insights into the life of one of the greatest intellectuals of the 20th century. Beginning with his birth, the snapshots with the captions explain the journey of the Mahatma from South Africa to India and his leadership of the independence struggle. Some of the striking pictures in the exhibition include that of Gandhiji during the all-India tour that he took immediately after returning from South Africa in 1915.Copies of his letters to great personalities such as Leo Tolstoy have also been put up at the exhibition, showcasing how wide the popularity of Gandhi was even while he was away from India. His visits to countries such as England and Burma and the reception that he got there reiterates the respect that he commanded from all over the world.Some of the visitors to the exhibition, while commenting that it could have been more detailed in its description, said that they learnt a fair bit of information about the Father of the Nation that they did not know before.Earlier, a cycle rally by school students, stressing the need for world peace and eradication of untouchability, was flagged-off by Law Minister Sentamizhan from the Marina Beach. The rally concluded at the Gandhi Mandapam where the photo exhibition and stalls selling khadi and other indigenousily produced products were put up. The exhibition will be open to public till Tuesday.