Termite attack on Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram

Ashram officials destroy 100 books on Gandhiji damaged due to poor upkeep; some photos of the Mahatma also consigned to fire

DILIP PATEL

Gandhians will be shocked to learn this. Books on Mahtama Gandhi are not safe at his karambhoomi — Sabarmati Ashram. Stacked in a damp godown, termites are partying on them.
The Sabarmati Ashram authorities on Thursday evening destroyed at least a hundred damaged books on Gandhiji, penned by different authors, setting them afire. Termites had virtually reduced them to dust, courtesy poor upkeep.
The ashram authorities also set ablaze a few worned out photographs of the Father of the Nation.
Some of the books reduced to ashes were published 50 years ago. Damaged copies of the English and Gujarati versions of “Gandhiji Avtariya Gujarat Thi” (Gandhiji born in Gujarat) were also consigned to fire. Gujarat government had published the book in 1988.
Sabarmati Ashram Managing Director Amrut Modi said: “Sorting out around 100 damaged books among thousands in the godown on the ashram premises, we set them on fire. Feeding on them, termites reduced them to dust. Some damaged photographs of Gandhiji were also consigned to fire. ”
Taking a strong exception to the bonfire of books, an ashramite said: “Losing a hundred books on Gandhiji due to a termite attack exposes the lack of interest in authorities in preserving the books. They were not given enough attention. It’s a shame.”
A source said the rear wall of the book godown separates it from a toilet. “Its proximity to the loo could have led to its dampness. Subsequently termites, which thrive in damp conditions, ate into the books in the godown,” the source said.
Gandhians, however, can take heart from the fact that termites did not damage any rare book. “Exclusive books are safe,” said Modi.
There are around 3,000 books on and by Mahatma Gandhi in the godown on the ashram premises. “If the ashram authorities do not pull up their socks after losing 100 books, the rest can also be reduced to dust,” said a Gandhian.

SHAME

Shock discovery:

Sabarmati Ashram authorities on Thursday spotted 100 books on Gandhiji and a few pictures of the Father of the Nation, damaged by termites.They were in a godown on the ashram campus

Reduced to ashes:

The authorities destroyed them setting them on fire

Probable reason of termite attack:

Dampness inside the godown due to its proximity to a toilet