In my school boy days I often heard instructors singing the praises of Mohandes Gandhi, something which always left me with a degree of uncertainty. There was simply too much praise heaped on him, yet little to no scrutiny was placed in less savoury aspects of his life or personality. My suspicions were confirmed after reading Richard Shenkman’s “Legends, Lies, and Cherished Myths of World History” in which Gandhi was finally scrutinised and I learnt why he had two names — as well as the fact that he gave “Mohatma”, “great man”, to himself! Always having been sceptical of those who have been their own best friends and greatest admirers it made my quietly comfortable in my questioning of it all. Recently a new book as been published with even more damning information about Gandhi — some of which I had already learnt, other bits of it quite new. To avoid being repetitive I will simply attach a link to the article written about said book and let you read that there.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Here’s the Wall Street Journal’s take on it, which arrived in my intray almost simultaneously with news of your post.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748703529004576160371482469358-lMyQjAxMTAxMDIwODEyNDgyWj.html
I gather Mr. Mandela wasn’t exactly a paragon of virtue either. Goodyear necklaces and all that.
OZ
Ah, yes. Heroes in them days was special. No flaws, all patience and empathy. In the Wiki leaks era, the warts are only too evident. I think I prefer Ben Kingsley on balance.
Janus: Gandhi was a master of self-promotion and no less talented in psychological games than Mao.
He was able to cast an image of himself, one which people would come to nearly worship, rather than show who he really was. Perhaps you are right to say that the film version was far preferable to the real man.
Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him…… a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
© Cheech
OZ
I believe that Sabina (of t’other side) said on several occasions that her father had little time for Ghandi – so perhaps he did not fool all of the people all of the time.
I can’t say any of it surprises me – I’ve always reckoned that any ‘fanatic ‘ would not be a very nice person.
OZ
🙂
Sabina would be a great asset to The Chariot, as would MaryA although she would win the pome comp every month without fail. Can anything be done?
OZ
The Greeks had it right, their heroes came with flaws but they were heroes nevertheless.
OZ, can’t you do the Red Riding Hood routine? No girl can resist that! 🙂
Janus – I shall gird my loins forthwith, take a deep breath and take my considerable charms temporarily to the Dark Side. I dunno, the things I do for The Chariot…….!
OZ
Janus, apparently Sir Ben Kingsley is not all sweetness and light either.
OZ, make sure you huff and puff too! 🙂
Ah well! he’s an actor, innit? Celebrities of his ilk can do no wrong. 🙂
Brilliant OZ! 😀