Some of the rare letters, postcards and articles signed and autographed by Mahatma Gandhi, will be formally presented to President Pratibha Patil when she arrives here next week on a three-day state visit.

For those who had got used to listening about Mahatma Gandhi on 15th August and 2nd October, the past few days would definitely come as a surprise. Well, Mahatma Gandhi is creating headlines and it is neither Independence Day nor Gandhi Jayanti, it is an auction of some of his belongingness which has caught the attention of the nation and the world.

Vijay Mallya, the Indian liquor baron behind Kingfisher Beer, paid $2.1 million yesterday for glasses, sandals and other items belonging to independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, an official at his company said.