02 October,2009 10:23 AM IST | | Alisha Coelho
Shalu Bhalla's book Quotes of Gandhi will reach the US prez's office
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You're The Hero: When Barack Obama was asked by a student who he'd like to have dinner with, his answer was Mahatma Gandhi |
Why are you gifting Obama the book?
At a recent event with school kids, Obama was asked who he'd like to have dinner with and his answer was Gandhi. He said he found real inspiration in the Mahatma. Since my book is about Gandhiji's inspirational words, I wanted to gift it to Obama. He will receive it today.
Are you excited about this?
I am extremely impressed. Obama, who people perceive as a man with the power to change the system, finds inspiration in Gandhiji. Several years ago, I had gifted the book to the then US president Ronald Reagan. And it felt extremely nice after Reagan sent a reply appreciating my efforts in compiling the book. It's the same feeling this time too.
How relevant is a book of Gandhian quotes today?
Extremely relevant. There is definitely a revival in such thinking, as people all over the world are talking about Gandhiji's ideologies. I believe there is more aware-ness, since I get requests for my book from small countries like Turkey and Malaysia. Gandhi was a man who constituted change only by the power of his personality.
About the book
Quotes of Gandhi by Shalu Bhalla (pictured) is a 224-page pocket-sized volume that costs Rs 175. The book opens with the famous quote 'An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind'.
