Obamas at the Gandhi museum

Last updated on: November 6, 2010 20:22 IST

Image: Handwritten notes by US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are seen at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
Photographs: Jason Reed/Reuters

US President Barack Obama on Saturday described Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as 'a hero not just to India but to the world'.

"I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero not just to India but to the world," Obama wrote in the visitor's book at the Mani Bhavan in Mumbai.

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Image: The book Obama autographed at Mani Bhavan
Photographs: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

Obama visited the Gandhi Museum at Mani Bhavan to honour the Father of the Nation.

The Obamas reached Mani Bhavan in a cavalcade of over 24 cars, including two limousines, six mini buses and a SWAT team and an ambulance.

Image: Obama and Michelle tour the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
Photographs: Jason Reed/Reuters

Gandhi, the US President said, has inspired Americans and African Americans, including Martin Luther King.

Image: Residents around Mani Bhavan gather to catch a glimpse of the Obamas
Photographs: Abhishek Mande/Rediff.com

Located in a comparatively quiet locality in the Gamdevi precinct, this modest building served as Gandhi's headquarters in Mumbai for about 17 eventful years from 1917-1934.

Photographs: Jason Reed/Reuters

It belonged to Shri Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri, who was Gandhi's friend and his host during that period, and to the Mani family prior to that.

Image: Michelle with Usha Thakkar, director of the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
Photographs: Jason Reed/Reuters

In 1955, the building was taken over by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and converted into a memorial to the Mahatma, who frequently stayed here and initiated political activities.

Image: Obama signs the guest book
Photographs: Jason Reed/Reuters

It was here that he learnt to weave fibre on the charkha and drank goat's milk for the first time besides gradually changing his attire from western tailored suits to the unstitched loincloth he wore to the end.