Arun Manilal Gandhi, author and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, passed away on Tuesday morning, May 2, in Avani Sanstha located at Hanbarwadi near Kolhapur city of Maharashtra after brief illness, family sources said.
The funeral of the 89-year-old author and socio-political activist will be held at Kolhapur later today, his son Tushar Gandhi told PTI.
Arun Gandhi had arrived in Kolhapur on February 28. He had planned to stay for ten days.
Born to Manilal Gandhi and Sushila Mashruwala in Durban on April 14, 1934, Arun Gandhi followed in the footsteps of his grandfather as an activist.
Arun Gandhi had arrived in Kolhapur on February 28. He had planned to stay for ten days.
For last 24 years, Arun used to visit Avani Sanstha run by activist Anuradha Bhosale. The organisation works for the girls and women, mainly homeless women.
Bhosale said, "Before planning to leave, he got ill. He had normal flu-like conditions. We got him admitted to a hospital. He got well and returned to Avani Sanstha but doctors had asked him not to travel. On Monday evening, we celebrated Maharashtra Day. He told girls to hold their state and country the dearest among any other thing."
Bhosale said Arun Gandhi kept on writing till night and on morning he passed away on his bed.
Bhosale said, "I have association with Arun Gandhi for last two and a half decades. Every time he used to visit, he used to stay with us. He wanted to set up a museum of Mahatma Gandhi's memories in the form of pictures he preserved. He had the fortune to be with Mahatma for two years of early life. Now since he is no more, we will fulfil his dream to set up the museum at Washi Nandwal where Mahatma Gandhi Mission's land is available."
