On Saturday afternoon, Union Square was taken over by the spirit of Gandhi. One knitster handmade some hats and scarves for her Gandhiwarmer event, which consisted of adorning the peacemaker's statue with some handknits, and collecting even more to give away to those in need. There were also rose petals, diwa candles, and a sitar player to help set the mood. The organizer reports back saying, "as of now gandhi’s scarf and hat are still up and it would be lovely if it may stay for a while!" How long do you think it'll last? more ›

A number of items that once belonged to Mahatma Gandhi sold for $1.8 million at auction yesterday despite an outcry from the Indian government and a last-minute change of heart from the items' owner. The Times describes a somewhat chaotic scene that unfolded minutes before the lot was to be auctioned off, when a lawyer for James Otis, who amassed the items piece-by-piece in the '90s, tried to halt the proceedings. Julien Schaerer, an official of the auction house, said that Otis had entered a "legally binding agreement" to sell the items, and ordered the lawyer escorted from the building. The lot, which included his sandals, pocket watch, and spectacles, was ultimately purchased by Vijay Mallya, who owns the company that makes Kingfisher beer. Otis had earlier rebuffed an offer from the Indian government to buy the lot, calling it too low, but said he would be willing to hand it over if the government agreed to increase spending on the poor. It's unclear what prompted Otis's second thoughts, but he said he would not challenge the auction if Mallya returned the items to India. more ›

Items which once belonged to Mahatma Gandhi—including his sandals, pocket watch, spectacles, an eating bowl, plate, and results of a blood test—will be auctioned off tomorrow in Manhattan through Antiquorum, a leading watch auctioneer. The memorabilia is owned by James Otis, an LA-based documentary filmmaker who has gradually amassed the possessions, many of which were given away to various individuals by Gandhi himself during the course of his life. more ›