On Gandhiji’s birth anniversary, we bring to you a set of 15 interesting facts about Gandhiji – some of which, we are sure, will take you by surprise. Here we go:

• Gandhiji was nominated 5 times (1937,1938,1939, 1947, 1948) for Nobel prize but never awarded. In 1948, after Gandhiji’s death Nobel Committee decided not to confer prize on the ground that “there was no suitable living candidate” that year.
• Gandhiji fell for Rabindra Nath Tagore’s niece Saraladevi Choudhurani. Such was his affection that he confessed to toying with the idea of breaking his own rules for her. He used to call her his “spiritual wife”

• During Second Boer war, Gandhiji formed Natal Indian Ambulance Corps for use by British as stretcher bearers.
• His funeral procession was 8 kms long

• Gandhiji was fasting in Kolkata for religious harmony when Nehru made his “Tryst with destiny” speech
• Clothes that Gandhiji wore when he was shot are preserved in Gandhi Museum, Madurai
• Gandhiji was thinking about dissolving Congress, one day before he died.
• Great Britain released a stamp honouring him, 21 years after his death

• Not only did he have an impact on India, Gandhiji was also responsible for civil rights movement in 12 countries across 4 continents
• He walked 18kms everyday for 40 years. This would have been equivalent to walk around the earth TWICE.

• Gandhiji had experimented in his life with eating meat and smoking. He quit smoking because he found it distasteful.
• Besides 53 major roads in India, there are 48 major roads in other countries that are named after Gandhiji.
• Gandhiji was named Time Magazine’s person of the year in 1930

• The Charkha that Gandhiji used for spinning in Yerwada Jail was auctioned in Nov-2013 for 1,10,000 Pounds
• Gandhiji was married at the age of 13 years and had his first child at the age of 15. The child died few days later.

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