It’s that time of the year again when Mahatma Gandhi’s photo adorns the dais; political leaders garland his statues and speak about the teachings of the Father of the Nation but hardly follow them. But this 85-year-old retired professor of Botany remembers Gandhiji every day.
For 40 years, Prof Venkatesh S Yelvigi has collected Gandhiji’s paraphernalia, which is like a world record in itself. “As a college student, I witnessed the freedom movement. It was awe-inspiring to look at the leaders turn the country around. After retirement, I needed something to keep me occupied. That’s when I thought of this collection,” said Yelvigi.
With a collection of stamps from 130 countries and coins bearing Bapu’s image, Yelvigi’s passion for Gandhiji and his work is immense. “I also have a collection of postal cancellations. The seals on them are a collection too,” he said.
Showing two Rs10 notes, which appeared identical, he said: “The first note bears Bapu’s name as MK Gandhi, but the second one has Mahatma Gandhi printed on it. When I saw it, years ago, I wrote to the RBI governor and requested him to change the name to Mahatma Gandhi. It was done.”
Yelavigi has Rs2, Rs5 and Rs10 notes with dates of importance pertaining to the life of Gandhiji. “Every note bears a number series. From his date of birth October 2, 1869, to his death, I have the entire series. In 2000, I went to Philadelphia, where I was given an opportunity to exhibit my work. All I said was I have brought Gandhi, and they let me participate,” he said.
His collection is so versatile that one would only dream of such meticulous work. Showing a piece of cloth-like currency, he explained, “While the freedom struggle was on, a portion of our salary was given to us as Hundi notes. These notes could be exchanged for Khadi clothes at Khadi Bhandars. I know these are rare, that’s why, I have kept them. Every month, I dust and air them. I want to keep them tidy as a mark of respect to Bapu,” he said.
His collection of postal cancellations tell another story. “Some years ago, I had sent my collection to the World Philately Exhibition in Andaman & Nicobar. As an honour to the Mahatma, I made a special series of postal cancellations, which show him from his home to school to his Dandi March and his death,” he said. “None can be him. No one,” he added.
