Firangs more interested in Gandhi than Delhiites

On Gandhi Jayanti, except for VIPs, not many Delhiites visit places like Rajghat and 11 Murti. That is why the Delhi Tourism Department is organising a Gandhi Walk today, aiming to help Delhiites understand Bapu better. The walk, titled ‘Gandhi Walks: Discover Gandhi’s Delhi and Feel Inspired’, will be a two-hour walk open to all. Since it’s a tourism department event, department officials and VIPs are also expected to be part of it.Kapil Mishra, Delhi’s tourism minister, says, "It’s our unique way of understanding Gandhiji, remembering him and paying respect to him on October 2. We have organised a two-and-a-half hour walk, in which expert guides will tell participants about Gandhiji and his life."
Foreigners are more interested in Gandhi than Delhiites: Walk organisers
Why a Gandhi Walk? Explains Sachin Bansal, chief explorer of India City Walks, the organisers of the walk, "We might be living in the capital, but not many know about these places. These places are rarely on the checklist of even domestic tourists, and Delhiites rarely visit.We have a separate Gandhi walk and I must admit that foreigners are more interested in knowing about Gandhi than Indians. Hence, the idea is to remember
Gandhi through this walk."
Gandhi Smriti not part of Walk itinerary due to VIP movement
Bansal adds, "Today, Gandhi is remembered in the most simplified manner – in the philosophy of Gandhigiri. We will take Delhiites to the places that are associated with Gandhi’s philosophy, so they might be able to see the link." The Gandhi walk will take the participants to sites linked with episodes from Gandhi’s life and death – the National Gandhi Museum, the Dandi March Statue at 11 Murti, Rajghat and the Khadi Gramudyog Bhawan.
According to the organisers, since the walk has been organised in collaboration with the the Tourism Department, getting permissions was not an issue, but the place that is associated most strongly with Gandhi – Gandhi Smriti – might not be a part of the walk because of the VIP movement on Gandhi Jayanti.
A tourism official told us that the walk will also be followed by story-telling. He said, "During story-telling, the focus will be on Gandhi’s Delhi connection and how his ideals influenced the world. This walk is also important because of the current situation (the Indo-Pak face-off over Uri). We hope many will join the walk." The tourism department will also be celebrating Jashn-e-Sarso at Dilli Haat today.