Almora:Very few people in the country would know that Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest political leaders of his times, auctioned his utensils and other belongings to raise funds for the freedom movement.
Jawahar Shah, a resident of Almora, was one among the many takers during Gandhiji's fundraising drive, as he bought a silver pot from him.
Mahatma Gandhi raised funds for freedom movement by selling his belongings His son Saval Shah recalls the words of his father and claimed that due to lack of money for the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi went across the country to spread awareness about the freedom movement and thereby raise funds to sustain the struggle for independence.
"He auctioned his belongings for raising funds," he recalls, the words of his father.
The metallic pot bought by his father is still kept safely in their home at Almora of Uttarakhand.
Gandhi had auctioned the pot in a public meeting during the independence movement.
Shah says the pot, made up of silver, was bought by his father to support the movement at a cost of Rs 11, the amount much higher than the actual value of the pot.
"We are proud that we have Mahatma Gandhi's pot in our house. My father-in-law had kept it in the puja room and always asked us to take care of it," said Geeta Shah, daughter-in-law of the late Jawahar Shah.
Establishing the claims of the above mentioned auction, historian VDS Negi while speaking to ETV Bharat said: "Gandhiji visited Almora in 1929 and addressed several public meetings in the city. His efforts to raise funds were well received by the public, who donated generously for the cause. In the year 1929, the women of Nainital had made their contribution to the movement by giving their jewellery to Gandhi," he added.
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