Businessman showcases a slice of Gandhi’s history

Bhowmick says he begins the preparation at least two days in advance. “I have searched through old textbooks and history books to get rare pictures of Gandhi. I’d borrow them and make high-quality photo copy of them. 

I have also travelled to Gujarat to get photographs from his hometown. My collection includes his Dandi march, his days in South Africa and his Satyagraha movement,” he says. 

He also holds these mini exhibitions not only on Gandhi Jayanti, but also on the birth anniversaries of MGR, J Jayalalithaa, Mamata Banerjee, Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu and other political and national figures.  

“I have been collecting pictures of many freedom fighters, politicians, and other VIPs for many years. Whenever I go to a city, I research about important people there, places to visit and other aspects of the place. I go through the magazines, visit the libraries and add to my collection. I have been doing this since I was a teenager. Collecting pictures has been my hobby for the past 40 years,” he adds. He is also a huge fan of MGR and Jayalalithaa. 

“I have been a fan of MGR from the time he won the 1977 elections. I have been collecting his photos. When Jayalalithaa came to power in 1991-1996, I started collecting her pictures as well, from libraries and photo galleries.” When asked what impels him to spend so much time, energy and effort on this, he has a simple answer.  

“I do not want youngsters to forget their history. My pictures will help them to remember it.”