Mahatma Gandhi's grandson turns down offer to head Vidyapith

Ahmedabad, Apr 30 (UNI) Trustees of Gujarat Vidyapith will be meeting in June to finalise a new chancellor after Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, turned down an offer to head the university, founded by Gandhiji, on the grounds that he was not a ''habitual khadi-wearer''.

Gujarat Vidyapith Vice Chancellor Sudarshan Iyengar said the trustees had approached Gandhi, who is currently the Governor of West Bengal, but he turned down the offer, saying that he cannot become chancellor as he does not use khadi all the time.

Mr Iyengar said he himself had not accepted the offer after going through the university constitution that said one has to be a 100 per cent Khadi user, which is mandatory for anyone associated with the institution. However, he said he wore a lot of Khadi but also other fabrics.

However, when pressed for the probables for the coveted post, he declined to disclose the names, saying ''we have to see all aspects before finalising a person to head the university''.

''But anyway there will be a chancellor before the next convocation'', Iyengar added.

The post at the Vidyapith fell vacant following the death of incumbent chancellor Ravindra Varma.

UNI