Clarifying Gandhi

As a visitor to Jakarta, I have been reading your newspaper for the last week. In the Sunday, May 7, issue my eyes fell on the article about Candi Dasa in Bali entitled Gandhi and Marley alive in Candi Dasa which I read with much interest.

However, I would like to draw the attention of the writers, (Degung Santikarma and Emma Baulch), as well as your readers to an obvious error in the opening sentence of the article. It is implied that the Gandhi Asharam is dedicated to Indira Gandhi, but from its description and nature of activities, it is almost certainly named after Mahatma Gandhi.

To clarify the difference between the two Gandhis, Mahatma Gandhi was the leading light in India's freedom struggle and the founder of the concept of political struggle through non- violence. He preached spiritual purity in thought and action, and for him, the ends and means to achieve them had to be both based on truth.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi (no kin to Mahatma Gandhi) was a great politician who served as India's Prime Minister for many years after coming to power soon after her illusions father, Jawarharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India.

The point of my letter is to clarify that, while both the famous Gandhis are from Indira, the one who would inspire a spiritual following is Mahatma Gandhi and not Indira Gandhi.

D.L. Khanna

Jakarta