006 WHAT MONT BLANC HAS TO DO WITH GANDHIJI?

Mont Blanc is a German jewellery, pen and watch-maker, headquartered in Hamburg. Basically theirs is a luxury goods industry.

What they have got to do with Gandhiji? Did Gandhi use their luxury pens? Did Gandhi canvas for their pens?

The Hindu published a news report on the 30th September 2009, titled "Mahatma" pens from Mont Blanc.

These pens are priced at Rs. 14 lacs (about $3,000), Rs. 1.7 lacs (fountain pens) and Rs. 1.5 lacs (roller ball pens). The pen makers claim that they are inspired by Gandhiji's Dandi Salt March of 1930 against the British.

Does this make any sense? What luxury pens have to do with Dandi March? Gandhiji is venerated by millions of Indians. If the pen maker wanted to commemmorate Gandhiji's Dandi March, they should bring out a common man's edition and not a limited edition. Obviously, they are trying to make money out of pen collectors' craze for Gandhi. The Company brought in Gandhiji's grand son to endorse their money making spree.

I sympathize with Tushar Gandhi. I understand from Gandhian literature, that Gandhiji did not leave any property/legacies to his children, a la Jawaharlal Nehru who handed over the country to his dynasty. Gandhiji did not build any dynastic rule. So, how Gandhiji's clan is to survive? Naturally, they have to become parties to marketing using Gandhiji's name.